What can you do with a Political Science degree from University of California, Davis?

First, some facts. Of the Political Science graduates from University of California, Davis 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 10 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 75%, Political Science graduates from University of California, Davis have a higher likelihood (+8%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 75%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, only 30% 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 a Bachelors degree is enough for most Political Science graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random Political Science graduate from University of California, Davis and our analysis:


Relevance score: 0%

We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2023 from University of California, Davis with a Bachelor of Arts - BA in Political Science. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Receptionist
Altshuler Berzon
Jun 2024 - Present
The position of receptionist does not utilize specific political science knowledge or skills and focuses more on administrative tasks, making it unrelated to the Bachelor's degree in Political Science.

ABOUT

Recent UC Davis graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and a minor in English. Social media specialist with a passion for accessibility and DEI in communications.

What jobs can you get with a Political Science degree from University of California, Davis?

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


After analyzing a bunch of job profiles for Political Science graduates from UC Davis, it turns out that many of them have landed positions in government and nonprofit sectors, while a good chunk found roles that involve legislative assistance or public policy work. Common job titles include Legislative Aide, Governmental Relations Analyst, and various roles within the California State Assembly. These jobs typically require a solid grasp of political processes and often directly relate to their education, making the most of their Political Science background. However, there are also positions like office assistants or marketing interns that don't really connect with Political Science concepts, showcasing a mix of relevant and less relevant roles.

Overall, it seems like most of the jobs are somewhat relevant to Political Science, especially when it comes to those involved in public policy, legislation, or advocacy. Graduates working in these areas are using the critical thinking and analytical skills they developed during their studies. On the flip side, some jobs appear to be more about administrative tasks or sectors like retail, where the direct connection to Political Science isn't as strong. So, while many graduates are putting their degrees to good use, there’s definitely a variety of positions, ranging from highly relevant to not-so-much!

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 University of California, Davis):

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

When we look at the career paths of Political Science graduates from UC Davis, it seems like there’s a mix of pretty solid beginnings and varied long-term outcomes. Many of these graduates kick off their careers in entry-level positions that are related to government, public service, or legal assistance. For example, a common first job is often something like an intern at a legislative office or a volunteer role with organizations like the American Red Cross. This is pretty typical as graduates often seek opportunities that bridge their academic knowledge with real-world applications. Such roles not only help them gain experience but also help to build a network in the political and public service fields.

Fast forward a few years, and you see a sizable chunk of these individuals climbing up the ranks in government roles, often transitioning into positions like legislative aides, policy advisors, or government relations analysts. For those who stay in the political sphere, a decade post-graduation, many have secured significant roles—like Chief of Staff at various governmental offices or advisors with high levels of responsibility. However, not everyone maintains a trajectory related to Political Science; some shift into unrelated sectors or find themselves in less impactful roles outside their field. Overall, while many graduates do seem to land meaningful careers aligned with their degree, there's also evidence of diversified pathways that may stray from the heart of Political Science as the years progress.

How hard is a Political Science degree from University of California, Davis?

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science at UC Davis can be a pretty mixed bag in terms of difficulty. On one hand, it's not the hardest major out there, especially when compared to something like engineering or the sciences, but it does have its challenges. You'll be diving into theories, a lot of reading, and writing papers that need to be both analytical and well-researched, which can be time-consuming. Plus, discussing current events and understanding complex political systems can be a bit overwhelming at times. So, while it might feel more manageable than other majors, you’ll definitely need to stay on top of your game and be ready to engage with the material. It’s all about how much you’re willing to put in and engage with topics you might be passionate about!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 2 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Political Science.

Do Political Science graduates from University of California, Davis tend to make good money?

So, looking at these Political Science grads from UC Davis, it seems like their money game is a mixed bag, to be honest. The older grads mostly found stable jobs in public service and governmental roles, which can pay decently, especially with a few promotions under their belts—like the ones who moved up at the County of Yolo or in the California Assembly. However, some of the more recent grads are still at the beginning of their careers, holding mostly entry-level positions that probably don’t pay all that much right now. There’s definitely potential for growth, especially with the right connections and experience in politics or law, but as it stands, they seem to be more on the modest side when it comes to their earnings. So, if they stick it out, they might be raking in the bucks down the line!

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 University of California, Davis). 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