A Game of Careers: See What Degrees Your Favorite Game of Thrones Stars Would Most Likely Pursue

The backdrop of George R.R. Martin’s epic fantasy series, A Song of Ice and Fire, is the land of Westeros. The seven kingdoms, broiling with treachery, intrigue, fickle alliances, and mystery, also happen to be home to some of the most complex and dynamic fictional characters.
Now, we all know that Jon Snow swore a sacred vow to protect the realms of men when he pledged his life to the Night’s Watch, but have you ever wondered what he would do in our world? What career would the cunning and ruthless Cersei Lannister set her sights on if being Queen wasn’t her only concern? And if the Khaleesi could manage to find someone to baby sit her dragons, what day job would she be hunting for?

Let’s take a look at some of the most popular characters on Game Thrones and determine what careers and degrees they’d be best suited for depending on their personality traits.



Jon Snow

“You're Ned Stark's bastard, aren't you?”
Dominant Personality Traits
Raised by Lord Eddard Stark of Winterfell, Jon embodies many of the characteristics and personality traits of a true Northerner:

  • Honest
  • Brave
  • Honorable
  • Observant and pensive
  • Natural leader; Jon understands that leadership isn’t just about strength and brute force. It is also about helping all of those who look to you for guidance.
  • Compassionate

Likely Career Choice: Criminal Justice or Social Sciences

Taking into account Jon’s personality traits, we expect he’d be inclined towards a career in either criminal justice or the social sciences. For instance, he’d be very well suited to a career in social work, because he’d be working directly to improve the quality of life of others. The field of social work, which is very large, is essentially the pursuit of social justice and well-being of those who are oppressed and marginalized by society. Being so driven by honor, we think Jon Snow would do wonders in this field.

Cersei Lannister

“She never forgets a slight, real or imagined. She takes caution for cowardice and dissent for defiance. And she is greedy. Greedy for power, for honor, for love.”
Dominant Personality Traits
A proud lioness of the Rock, the daughter of the powerful and affluent Tywin Lannister, Cersei is:

  • Ambitious
  • Cunning
  • Manipulative
  • Bold
  • Assertive

Likely Career Choice: Political science
Cersei Lannister is exceptionally cunning and lusts for power. A degree in political science would be extremely beneficial to her because it would allow her to understand political activity and behavior thoroughly. This would put her in a better position to be able to secure power. A fate that most would say could spell the end of Westeros.

Tyrion Lannister

“I have a realistic grasp of my own strengths and weaknesses. My mind is my weapon. My brother has his sword, King Robert has his war hammer, and I have my mind… and a mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge. That’s why I read so much …”
Dominant Personality Traits
The youngest son of Tywin Lannister, also commonly known as the Imp, Tyrion is:

  • Witty
  • Intelligent
  • Hedonist
  • Brave
  • Decisive

Likely Career Choice: Lawyer
There are numerous factors that indicate that Tyrion would be well suited to a career as a lawyer. For one thing, his mind is razor sharp. He’s knowledgeable beyond belief, can think fast on his feet, and when it comes down to it, is brutally honest. You could count on him to make a fair and true judgment.
To pursue a career in law, he’d have to enroll in an undergraduate program in legal studies and then prepare for law school. We think he’d uphold the laws of ‘Gods and Men’ brilliantly.

Stannis Baratheon

‘I never asked for this, no more than I asked to be king. Yet dare I disregard her? We do not choose our destinies. Yet we must ... we must do our duty, no? Great or small, we must do our duty’ – Stannis
Dominant Personality Traits
The Lord of Dragonstone, the older brother of the late King Robert Baratheon, and a man as hard as iron, Stannis is:

  • Tirelessly dedicated to the notion of his ‘duty’.
  • Practical and logical
  • Has integrity
  • Strong-willed
  • Analytical
  • Upholds traditions and laws
  • Honest and direct
  • Stubborn

Likely Career Choice: Law enforcement
You can trust Lord Stannis to ensure that the laws of the realm are being upheld and adequately enforced. After all, he did amass an entire army in order to assert and reinforce the fact that, by the laws that governed the Seven Kingdoms, he was the true king of Westeros following Robert Baratheon’s death. 

Arya Stark

“You are Arya of Winterfell, daughter of the North. You told me you could be strong. You have the wolf blood in you.”
Dominant Personality Traits

  • Resourceful
  • Adaptable
  • Bold
  • Patient
  • Tenacious 
  • Fiercely insubordinate to those in power

Likely Career Choice: Emergency Management
Arya Stark has come a long way since she left the protective walls of Winterfell. She has a host of commendable skills and qualities which make her ideally suited for a career in emergency management. For one, thanks to her ‘Water Dancing’ teacher Syrio Forel, Arya has learned the art of patience. She is also resourceful, can think fast on her feet, and has the ability to make bold and courageous choices. Emergency management would allow her to routinely use all these skills.

Daenerys Targaryen

"I am Daenerys Stormborn of House Targaryen, of the blood of Old Valyria. I am the dragon's daughter, and I swear to you that those who would harm you will die screaming."
Dominant Personality Traits
The last living member of the ancient House Targaryen, and the youngest child of the Mad King Aerys, Daenerys is:

 

  • Resilient
  • Tenacious
  • Courageous
  • Compassionate
  • Ambitious
  • Empathetic

Likely Career Choice: Public Administration
There’s no one better suited to a career in public administration than the ‘Khaleesi’. Her compassion and courage, combined with her ability to command authority and overcome obstacles will all help her to lead and serve justly, and truly.

Tywin Lannister

“A lion doesn't concern itself with the opinion of sheep.”
Dominant Personality Traits
Warden of the West, Lord of Casterly Rock, and the Head of House Lannister, Lord Tywin is:

  • Proud
  • Politically Astute
  • Tactician
  • Powerful
  • Calculating
  • Intelligent
  • Has strong military prowess
  • Controlling

Likely Career Choice: Homeland Security
Tywin Lannister is a proven and fearsome battle commander and has incredible military expertise. Pursuing a degree in homeland security would be perfect for a man who understands how to respond in the event of emergencies, protect his people at all costs, and find out the best way to eliminate any threats.

Brienne of Tarth

“All my life men like you have sneered at me. And all my life I’ve been knocking men like you into the dust.”
Dominant Personality Traits
The only child and heir of Lord Selwyn Tarth, Brienne is:

  • Honorable
  • Judgmental
  • Loyal
  • Protective
  • A fearsome warrior
  • Headstrong
  • Stubborn

Likely Career Choice: Security
Brienne of Tarthis is someone who upholds and makes an effort to embody all of the ideals of a true knight. She served as a member of Renly Baratheon’s ‘Rainbow Guard’, swore to protect Catelyn Stark, and acted as an armed escort for Jamie Lannister back to King’s Landing. She is strong, battle-savvy, and honor-bound making her a good candidate for a career in security.

Varys

‘The storms come and go, the waves crash overhead, the big fish eat the little fish, and I keep on paddling’
Dominant Personality Traits
Also known as ‘the Spider’, well versed in the trade of secrets, Varys is:

  • Enigmatic
  • Mysterious
  • Manipulative
  • Resourceful
  • Intelligent

Likely Career Choice: PSYCHOLOGY
The master of whisperers has an astute and innate understanding of people. Psychology, the study of the mind and human behavior, is a subject that would interest Lord Varys tremendously. It would also strengthen his skills and expertise as a master of whisperers.

Margaery Tyrell

Margaery was different, though. Sweet and gentle, yet there was a little of her grandmother in her, too
Dominant Personality Traits
The beautiful young protégé of the politically-savvy Lady Olenna Redwyne, and the daughter of Lord Mace Tyrell of Highgarden, Margaery is:

  • Kind and thoughtful
  • Subtle
  • Politically astute (more than she lets on and more than people are aware of)
  • Adaptable
  • Patient and understanding of others

Likely Career Choice: Social Work
Margaery Tyrell is loved by the common people because she takes a genuine interest in their welfare. A career in social work would allow her to channel her desire to help others and hopefully, through her work, improve their quality of life and well-being.
So there you have it: If by some stroke of fate Game of Thrones stars magically appeared in our realm, they’d probably have to take a good look at their strengths and weaknesses to determine what degree to pursue. In this way, they’re not that different from us. Identify your strengths, and use them to your advantage. After all, how else do you plan on conquering the Seven Kingdoms?