First, some facts. Of the Public Administration graduates from University of Central Florida 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 61%, Public Administration graduates from University of Central Florida have a lower likelihood (-6%) 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, 40% 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 Public Administration graduate.
See the details:
Relevance score: 50%We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2019 from University of Central Florida with a Bachelor of Arts - BA in Public Administration. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONFirst OfficerSouthern Airways Express Aug 2023 - Present FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGPPL with Instrument rating, CSEL, CMELEpic Flight Academy 2021 - 2023 ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
Based on the LinkedIn profiles analyzed, it seems that graduates from the University of Central Florida with a degree in Public Administration often find themselves in roles closely related to government and public service. Many have worked as planners, specifically in various positions within government offices, which directly align with key public administration concepts such as city planning, policy development, and community engagement. For example, roles like Principal Planner and Senior Planner not only leverage their educational background but also allow them to apply practical skills in real-world governance. There are also several positions within nonprofit organizations where graduates have utilized public administration knowledge to manage programs, engage with communities, and coordinate resources.
However, not all jobs these graduates have taken up are directly relevant to public administration. Positions in fields like insurance, hospitality, and even substitute teaching don’t typically require the specialized skills or knowledge gained from a public administration degree. While some jobs, like those in human resources or project management, can utilize transferable skills, they often don’t engage deeply with the fundamental principles of the discipline. Overall, graduates tend to find relevant opportunities in government planning and nonprofit roles, but there’s a fair number who venture into unrelated fields, which can make the relevance of their degree somewhat mixed across the board.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Public Administration graduates (this is across all Public Administration graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to University of Central Florida):
So, when looking at the careers of graduates from the Public Administration program at the University of Central Florida, it seems like a mixed bag. Right after graduation, many of them land internships or entry-level positions related to planning and government, which makes a lot of sense given their degree. For example, several graduates took internships that helped them get into planning roles for local governments. Some have moved quickly up the ranks in public sector roles, becoming planners and even principal planners, which shows a solid career trajectory in public administration. Others seem to have taken a different path, like a few who started in education or insurance sectors. This indicates that while many are finding relevant positions, not everyone sticks closely to the core of public administration.
Fast-forward 5 to 10 years after graduation, it looks like many of these graduates are still in fields that connect back to their studies, especially those in government roles. Some have climbed the ladder to senior positions, like a principal planner or a district manager for a security firm. However, there are also graduates who appear to have shifted away from public administration altogether, ending up in roles that aren't directly related, like sales or human resources. Overall, while there are certainly promising paths within public administration, there are also those who seem to have ventured off the beaten path, showcasing a broad spectrum of career experiences among UCF's Public Administration alumni.
Honestly, getting a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, including at places like the University of Central Florida, is generally considered to be on the easier side compared to some other majors. It often involves a mix of core classes and electives that aren’t too heavy in terms of math or science, plus a lot of writing and understanding of policies. Sure, you’ll still have to put in some effort – like any degree, you'll have your projects, papers, and maybe a few tough exams – but for the most part, if you're organized and keep up with the reading and assignments, you should be able to handle it without too much stress. So, if you’re someone who enjoys learning about government, policies, and how things work in the public sector, you might even find it pretty enjoyable!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 2 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Public Administration.
Looking at the job paths of these UCF Public Administration graduates, it seems like some have really started to rake in decent money, while others are still figuring it out. The ones working in local government or planning roles, like the "Principal Planner" and "Transportation Analyst," likely earn good salaries due to the nature of their positions, which often come with solid pay and benefits. On the flip side, there are folks who've stuck with lower-paying roles or part-time gigs, like the "Substitute Teacher" and some entry-level positions, which probably aren’t bringing in the big bucks. Overall, it seems like there’s a mix of financial success here, with some definitely on the upward climb and others still seeking that higher paycheck.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Public Administration (this is across all Public Administration graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to University of Central Florida). This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Public Administration (ordered by the average relevance score of their Public Administration graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:
College | Score | Count |
---|---|---|
San Diego State University | 63 | 10 |
Florida International University | 62 | 13 |
University of Central Florida | 61 | 15 |
Northern Arizona University | 44 | 12 |