What can you do with a Political Science degree from Penn State University?

First, some facts. Of the Political Science graduates from Penn State University 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 11 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 54%, Political Science graduates from Penn State University have a much lower likelihood (-13%) 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.

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Also, after graduating, 72% 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 graduate.

See the details:

• What jobs can you get with a Political Science degree from Penn State University?
• What do Political Science graduates from Penn State University do 1, 5 or 10 years out?
• How hard is a Political Science degree from Penn State University? How long does it take?
• How much money can you make with a Political Science degree from Penn State University?
• What are the best colleges for Political Science?

View a random Political Science graduate from Penn State University and our analysis:

Relevance score: 65% We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree. DEGREE INFO Graduated in 2016 from Penn State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION Legal Intern Lancaster County District Attorney Jun 2019 - Aug 2019 The Legal Intern position at Lancaster County District Attorney directly involves applying legal knowledge and skills learned in Political Science, making it highly relevant. Legal Intern Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Aug 2019 - Oct 2019 The Legal Intern role at Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources requires understanding of legal frameworks and regulations related to conservation, which aligns well with Political Science studies. Judicial Intern Cumberland County, PA Aug 2020 - Dec 2020 As a Judicial Intern at Cumberland County, PA, the position utilizes skills and knowledge in law and governance, directly related to the Political Science degree. Attorney KERWIN & KERWIN LAW FIRM Oct 2021 - Present The Attorney position at KERWIN & KERWIN LAW FIRM requires extensive legal knowledge and skills, which are foundational elements derived from a Political Science degree. Infantry Platoon Leader Pennsylvania National Guard Dec 2016 - Oct 2019 The Infantry Platoon Leader role in the Pennsylvania National Guard involves leadership and organization in a military context, which may engage some Political Science concepts, but is not directly focused on political science itself. Scout Platoon Leader Pennsylvania National Guard Oct 2019 - Jul 2021 The Scout Platoon Leader role is similar to the Infantry Platoon Leader position in that it utilizes some transferable leadership skills, yet it does not heavily draw from the political science curriculum. Executive Officer Pennsylvania National Guard Jul 2021 - Mar 2023 As an Executive Officer in the Pennsylvania National Guard, the position emphasizes organizational skills and leadership, which may touch on governance topics but is not substantially related to political science itself. Company Commander Pennsylvania National Guard Mar 2023 - Present Company Commander is a leadership position that may utilize some political science principles, but it primarily focuses on military leadership and operations rather than political science knowledge directly. FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATING Juris Doctor Dickinson Law 2018 - 2021 ABOUT No information provided.

What jobs can you get with a Political Science degree from Penn State University?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:

• Legal Intern
• Attorney
• Underwriter
• Renewal Underwriter
• Appeals Specialist
• Legislative Assistant
• Regulatory Specialist
• Compliance Analyst
• Credentialing Specialist
• Data & Reporting Specialist

When looking at the jobs taken on by graduates from Penn State University who studied Political Science, it seems like there’s a pretty mixed bag of career paths. Many of these individuals ended up in roles that aren’t directly tied to political science. For instance, a good number took positions in scientific research, education, and even stuff like human resources or data analysis. These roles, like being a Research Scientist or a Substitute Teacher, don’t generally require political science knowledge, focusing more on technical, administrative, or teaching skills instead. So, you find a lot of folks using their degrees in ways that don’t emphasize the political aspect much.

However, there are certainly some graduates who went the legal route, which really does connect back to their political science education. Many secured internships and roles in legal settings, such as law clerks and attorneys, where knowledge of political systems and legal frameworks is crucial. Positions like Deputy Attorney General or Legislative Assistant stand out as they directly relate to the principles taught in political science. So, while there’s a significant portion of graduates who diverged from typical political careers, a substantial number also utilized their degrees in meaningful ways within the legal and governmental sectors. Overall, it’s a mix, but those who found relevance in their careers often went into law or policy analysis, showing that the degree can definitely lead to impactful work in the political field if pursued in that direction.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Political Science graduates (this is across all Political Science graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Penn State University):

What kind of career trajectories do Political Science graduates from Penn State University have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

Looking at the career trajectories of Political Science graduates from Penn State University, it's clear that many of them have taken diverse paths, with a significant portion heading into fields directly related to their studies. Right after graduation, many seem to land jobs in law-related roles such as internships, clerks, or coordinators within legal firms, government offices, or nonprofit organizations. For instance, several graduates from 2010 and 2011 started off as legal interns or clerks, which is a solid first step for those pursuing a career in law. At the 5 to 10-year mark, many of these individuals began to establish themselves in higher positions within legal settings, such as Deputy Attorney General or Associate Counsel, showing a clear progression in a relevant field.

However, it’s important to note that not everyone remained strictly in the political or legal arenas. Some graduates moved into education or even media roles, like those who became television or radio hosts, while others ventured into human resources or compliance positions. While it's great to see some students successfully aligning their careers with their Political Science degrees, many have slipped into unrelated fields. This mix suggests that while a Political Science degree can launch you into rewarding careers in government, law, or policy analysis, it also allows for flexibility into various sectors. Ultimately, there’s a blend of typical success stories alongside those who might not have directly utilized their degree in their career paths.

How hard is a Political Science degree from Penn State University?

Getting a Bachelor's degree in Political Science at Penn State University is generally considered to be on the challenging side, but it really depends on your interests and strengths. If you love discussing current events, diving into political theory, and writing papers, you might find it pretty manageable. However, be prepared for a decent amount of reading, research, and critical thinking. The coursework can get tough, especially in upper-level classes where you'll need to analyze complex issues and develop well-supported arguments. Overall, it's about average in difficulty compared to other degrees, but if you're passionate about politics and willing to put in the effort, you'll likely find it a rewarding experience!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Political Science.

Do Political Science graduates from Penn State University tend to make good money?

Looking at the job paths of these Penn State political science grads, it seems like most of them have found pretty decent opportunities, especially those who gravitated towards law and science. For instance, the ones who got into the legal field quickly climbed the ladder, with roles like Senior Associate Counsel and Deputy Attorney General, which generally pay well. Another exciting route was for the scientists who eventually secured roles at big companies like Merck, often leading to higher salaries over time. However, some like the substitute teachers and educational roles might not be cashing in as much. Overall, while there's a mix, many of these grads are likely making good money, especially those in stable or upward-moving positions!

What buzzwords do Political Science graduates use to describe themselves?

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 (this is across all Political Science graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Penn State University). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Political Science?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Political Science (ordered by the average relevance score of their Political Science graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College	Score	Count
University of California, Berkeley	82	12
The George Washington University	80	10
Florida State University	79	10
University of California, Riverside	79	10
Texas A&M University	77	12
University of California, Davis	75	10
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign	74	11
Georgia State University	74	12
University of Connecticut	70	12
The Ohio State University	66	15
University of Central Florida	64	10
University of Washington	60	10
University of California, Los Angeles	59	15
University of Michigan	57	12
Penn State University	54	11
Arizona State University	52	14
Northeastern University	49	10
University of Oregon	46	12