First, some facts. Of the Political Science graduates from University of California, Riverside 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? Significantly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 79%, Political Science graduates from University of California, Riverside have a much higher likelihood (+12%) 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, 60% 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:
Relevance score: 79%We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2021 from University of California, Riverside with a Bachelor's degree in Political Science. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONBehavior TechnicianFred Finch Youth Center Mar 2021 - Dec 2021 Business Immigration Coordinator Fragomen Jan 2022 - Apr 2024 Business Immigration Analyst Fragomen Jan 2024 - Present ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
It looks like graduates from the University of California, Riverside with a degree in Political Science have ventured into a mix of careers, but many of them lean towards law and civic engagement. Common positions include roles like Law Clerk, Legal Assistant, and various CivicSpark positions, all of which take advantage of the knowledge and skills gained during their studies. These jobs often require a deep understanding of legal systems, community organization, and public policy—all topics that resonate with political science. Positions related to legal assistance seem particularly relevant, as they apply critical thinking and analytical skills that are core to the degree's curriculum.
That said, not all positions are directly relevant to political science. Roles such as Student Representative or Private Tutor don't necessarily utilize political knowledge on a daily basis. Some jobs, like Development Coordinator or Community Services Assistant, may touch on community dynamics or public policies but don’t demand a strong background in political theory. Overall, while there’s a significant overlap between the jobs these graduates have taken and their political science background, many also exist in areas that don’t fully leverage what they learned in their degree. So, if you're thinking about a political science degree, it's good to know that it can lead you to varied paths—just be prepared that some jobs may not always feel connected to politics directly!
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, Riverside):
Looking at the career paths of graduates from the University of California, Riverside who majored in Political Science, it seems like many of them have taken meaningful steps toward relevant careers post-graduation. For their first jobs, a number of them have landed positions like law clerks, coordinators in civic engagement, and event planners, which are often tied to their political science background. Some have also ventured into more legal-centric roles, such as internships at various district attorney's offices, indicating that many graduates are keen on pursuing law or public service right out of college.
Fast forward five to ten years, and the trajectories still look promising for quite a few. Many are climbing the ranks within legal firms or governmental organizations, taking on roles like legal assistants or paralegals. Others have made their way into program coordination and community engagement positions that fit well with their degrees. While some have found jobs that seem a bit disconnected from their studies, like sports broadcasting or roles in unrelated fields, it’s clear that a decent number are leveraging their political science background to stay engaged in civic, legal, and social issues. Overall, it seems like a solid mix of outcomes, with many graduates successfully finding relevant and fulfilling careers.
Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science at UC Riverside, or honestly anywhere, can be a mix of challenging and manageable, depending on your interests and how you approach it. If you dig into current events, political theory, and enjoy engaging in debates and writing papers, you might find it pretty manageable. However, it does require a decent amount of reading, critical thinking, and sometimes group projects, which can be a pain if you're not into that. Generally speaking, it’s not considered one of the hardest majors out there, but it’s not just a walk in the park either. It might take some effort, but if you're passionate about the subject, it can be a rewarding experience!
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 career paths of these Political Science graduates from UC Riverside, it seems like they’re on a pretty mixed financial journey. Some have landed solid positions like a Litigation Support Paralegal or a Business Immigration Analyst, which could pay decently, especially for recent grads. However, others have taken on roles like Community Services Assistant or Event Coordinator that likely pay on the lower end of the spectrum. A few have experience with internships and entry-level jobs, which typically don't bring in big bucks right away. Overall, it looks like some are doing well, but many are still building up their careers and likely aren’t making all that great money just yet.
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, Riverside). 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 |