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First, some facts. Of the Political Science graduates from University of California, Los Angeles 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 15 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 59%, Political Science graduates from University of California, Los Angeles have a lower likelihood (-8%) 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, 46% 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:
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Relevance score: 100% We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2020 from University of California, Los Angeles with a Bachelor's degree in Political Science. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONLegal Assistant The Law Offices of Harlan B. Kistler Aug 2021 - Dec 2022 Case Manager LAW OFFICES OF HARLAN B. KISTLER Aug 2022 - Present ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
Looking at the job positions held by Political Science graduates from UCLA, it's clear that many have gravitated toward careers in legal fields and public service roles. A large number of these individuals have taken up positions such as Judicial Externs, Legal Analysts, Paralegals, and various roles within the legal sector, like Associate Attorneys and Clerks. These positions strongly relate to Political Science since they involve understanding legal systems, advocacy, and public policy. For example, working as a Judicial Extern or at the District Attorney’s office directly applies political concepts, making these positions highly relevant to what they studied in college.
On the flip side, there are also a significant number of graduates who have ventured into areas that don’t seem directly connected to Political Science. Many have taken jobs in project management, marketing, or administrative assistance, where the skills required mainly involve organization or communication rather than political theory or legal principles. Positions like a Sales Coordinator or Project Manager at marketing firms do not utilize a Political Science background in any meaningful way. So, while many grads have pursued careers closely aligned with their degree, there’s also a notable trend of them finding roles in fields far removed from Political Science, raising questions about the versatility and applicability of their studies in the job market. Overall, it seems there's a mixed bag of relevance regarding their degree in the jobs they've landed post-graduation.
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, Los Angeles):
So, if you look at the career trajectories of UCLA Political Science grads, you can see a pretty mixed bag. A lot of them kick off their careers in roles related to government, law, and policy. For the first job after graduating, many land internships or entry-level positions that help them get their foot in the door, like project management roles, paralegal jobs, or even administrative assistant gigs at government offices or legal firms. They’re definitely taking steps to build relevant experience, which is great if they want to stay in fields that relate closely to what they studied.
Fast forward five to ten years down the line, and you’ll find a decent number of these grads have moved into more substantial roles in the legal field, government agencies, or even project management within non-profits or corporations. Some have even become attorneys or taken up significant positions in agencies like the Department of Homeland Security. On the flip side, there are some who veer off into roles that seem less directly connected to their Political Science background—like project managers in marketing or sales. But overall, there’s a solid group that’s managed to carve out successful careers in fields that utilize their political science expertise. So, while you may find some who don’t stay strictly on a career path tied to their degree, there are plenty who leverage their education in fulfilling ways.
Honestly, getting a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science at UCLA can be both challenging and rewarding. It really depends on your interests and how you handle the workload. The classes can be pretty intense, with a lot of reading, writing, and critical thinking involved. You’ll dive into topics like political theory, international relations, and American government, which can be super interesting but also requires you to stay engaged and keep up with current events. If you enjoy debates and discussing complex ideas, it might feel easier for you, but for others who struggle with heavy reading or writing, it could be a bit tougher. Overall, it’s about average in terms of difficulty, but it definitely requires dedication and a passion for the subject to really thrive.
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Political Science.
Looking at the job trajectories of these UCLA Political Science grads, it seems like they've landed some decent gigs over the years, especially if you consider the variety of roles and progression in their careers. While some started with entry-level positions like assistant roles and internships, many of them have climbed up to more significant positions, including legal analyst, program manager, and even immigration attorney, which typically pay pretty well. Those in legal or government-related fields generally have good earning potential, especially as they gain experience. So overall, it looks like most of them are doing alright financially, with room for upward mobility in their careers. Of course, some might not be raking in the big bucks just yet, but they're on paths that could lead to better pay in the future.
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, Los Angeles). This may or may not be useful:
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 |