First, some facts. Of the Political Science And Government graduates from University of Washington we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:
These are estimates based on AI analysis of 16 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 66%, Political Science And Government graduates from University of Washington have a slightly lower likelihood (-1%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
Also, after graduating, 50% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a Political Science And Government graduate.
See the details:
Relevance score: 90%We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2013 from University of Washington with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Political Science And Government. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONPolicy InternOneAmerica Jun 2014 - Dec 2014 Human Services Planning and Contracting Program Technician City of Tacoma Department of Neighborhood and Community Services Jan 2016 - Jan 2018 Snr. Program Analyst Sound Transit Jan 2018 - Dec 2022 Customer Engagement Project Manager The ORCA Card Dec 2022 - Present FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGMaster of Public Administration (M.P.A.)Evans School of Public Policy and Governance, University of Washington 2013 - 2015 ABOUTPublic policy is my calling. I enjoy knowing that the work I do helps people. I have spent time in both the non-profit and government realms, building in me a passion for serving others and supporting community collaborations. I am currently working on the Next Generation ORCA program, which will revolutionize the public transportation experience in the Puget Sound region. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
From my analysis of LinkedIn profiles of graduates from the University of Washington with degrees in Political Science and Government, it looks like many of them are landing jobs that do tie back into their studies, especially in legal and policy-related fields. Jobs like Legal Interns, Policy Analysts, and various roles within government agencies appear frequently, which makes sense since they directly utilize knowledge about laws, governance, and political systems—key components of their degree. Positions like Contracts Counsel, Law Clerks, or compliance roles are common, and they seem to be the most relevant to the skills developed during their studies.
However, there are a surprising number of graduates who took paths that aren't closely connected to political science. Many ended up in roles like Administrative Assistants, Customer Service Managers, or even in industries like veterinary care or retail, where the focus is far from politics or governance. This variety suggests that while having a Political Science degree can lead to relevant jobs, graduates aren’t always sticking to the field. For those looking for careers that utilize their degree most effectively, seeking positions directly related to policy, law, or government operations would be a better bet. Overall, it’s a mixed bag—some are making great use of their Political Science degrees while others have ventured off into different territories entirely!
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Political Science And Government graduates (this is across all Political Science And Government graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to University of Washington):
Graduates from the University of Washington with a degree in Political Science and Government seem to have a variety of career paths, but there’s a noticeable trend toward jobs that are relevant to their studies, especially in the early years right after graduation. Most of these individuals start off in internships or entry-level positions related to government, law, and non-profits. Roles like legal intern, policy analyst, and program assistant are common, which makes sense since these jobs align closely with the skills and knowledge gained during their degree. For instance, many graduates find themselves in roles within government departments or NGOs, showcasing a commitment to public service and advocacy.
Looking at a 5 to 10-year timeline, many graduates do seem to climb the ladder within their chosen fields. The ones who stay in the public sector or non-profit realm often move into more senior roles, like contract managers or policy directors. On the other hand, some have diverged from traditional political science careers, venturing into private sector roles or even completely unrelated jobs, like veterinary management or sales. While the degree certainly opens doors in politics, law, and community services, it’s clear that not everyone continues on that trajectory, highlighting that some graduates may struggle to find positions directly tied to their field of study. However, the overall picture still shows a significant number finding fulfilling careers that leverage their political science background, especially for those who remain focused on advocacy or public service roles.
Honestly, pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Government at the University of Washington is pretty manageable, but it does have its challenges. It’s definitely not a walk in the park; you'll find yourself juggling readings, writing papers, and keeping up with current events, which can be a bit overwhelming at times. Some students find the theoretical stuff and discussions stimulating, while others struggle with the heavy workload. Overall, it’s about average in terms of difficulty when compared to other degrees. If you’re passionate about politics and are willing to engage in thoughtful debates and analyses, you’ll probably find it a rewarding experience, even if it gets a bit tough now and then!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Political Science And Government.
So, looking at this group of University of Washington grads, it seems like they're making some decent money, especially the ones who landed in government and legal positions. The earlier graduates started off with some internships and admin roles, which usually don’t pay very well, but they eventually moved up into higher-paying jobs, like contracts counsel or senior program analysts. The more recent grads, like those from 2022 and 2023, are still early in their careers, so it’s hard to say how much they’re making right now. But all in all, if they keep climbing up the ladder in fields like law and public services, they should be doing pretty well!
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Political Science And Government (this is across all Political Science And Government graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to University of Washington). This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Political Science And Government (ordered by the average relevance score of their Political Science And Government graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates: