First, some facts. Of the Anthropology 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 11 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Bad. Overall, with an average relevance score of 45%, Anthropology graduates from University of California, Davis have a substantially lower likelihood (-22%) 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, only 27% 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 Anthropology graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.
See the details:
Relevance score: 23%We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2017 from University of California, Davis with a Bachelor of Arts - BA in Anthropology. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONEducation InternAustralian Museum Sep 2017 - Dec 2017 Administrative Assistant Koret Foundation Jul 2018 - Sep 2018 Event Assistant Pacific Auction Company Feb 2018 - Jun 2019 Office Assistant and Accountant Friedkin Property Group Dec 2018 - Mar 2020 Accounting Assistant Hill & Co. Property Management Sep 2020 - Oct 2021 Center Administrator Water Policy Center Public Policy Institute of California Nov 2021 - Present ABOUTSkilled in Research, Organization Skills, Fundraising, and Customer Service. Strong operations professional with a Bachelor of Arts - BA focused in Anthropology from University of California, Davis. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
So, if we look at the jobs that people with an Anthropology degree from UC Davis are landing, we can see quite a mix. For those who graduated in recent years, many have ended up in roles that are not directly related to anthropology. For example, many graduates took on positions like Logistics Supervisors or Client Relations Managers, which mostly involve operations and client management. These kinds of jobs don’t really tap into the cultural or social insights you would expect someone with an anthropology background to use. In contrast, there's a smaller group of graduates who went straight into anthropology-related positions, like researchers or archaeologists. These roles utilize anthropological theories and methods, making them a perfect fit for their degrees.
On the flip side, positions like School Counselor or occupations within community services seem to draw on some anthropological principles, such as understanding diverse cultures and social environments, even if they don’t fully leverage anthropology training. Overall, it seems that while some folks manage to score jobs directly related to anthropology, many end up in roles that may not require deep knowledge of the subject. This shows that an anthropology degree can open doors, but the paths taken can veer away from the core of what anthropology is all about. So, whether you’re in a job directly using your degree or not, there are definitely ways those skills can come into play in different fields. It's about figuring out how to apply what you've learned in the real world!
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Anthropology graduates (this is across all Anthropology graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to University of California, Davis):
Looking at the career paths of graduates from UC Davis with a degree in Anthropology, it seems like there's quite a mix. For many, the first jobs right out of college range from internships and entry-level positions linked to research and anthropology to roles in various administrative capacities. Some set off in academia or research-focused jobs, while others find themselves in completely different fields, such as client relations or logistics, often not directly related to their degree. For instance, the 2017 graduate who started as a school counselor trainee eventually found a stable career path in education, while another 2015 graduate shifted from client relations to a management position in maintenance. This shows that some individuals manage to carve out careers that utilize their skills in communication and organization, even if they stray from traditional anthropology roles.
When we look at the 5-10 year mark, there’s an interesting trend of graduates settling into roles that may seem far removed from anthropology. Some have moved into management, logistics, and counseling, indicating a broader application of their skills rather than a niche focus on anthropology. For example, the 2011 graduate transitioned from research-related roles to working as a senior archaeologist, which aligns more with their field of study. On the other hand, there are graduates diverging into completely unrelated industries, like the 2022 graduate who is now working as a court processing assistant. Overall, while there are definitely graduates who have successfully kept their careers centered around anthropology, others seem to have found stable and fulfilling careers outside of their degree's immediate field, suggesting that an anthropology degree offers valuable skills that are transferable across a variety of professions.
Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology at UC Davis is pretty challenging, but it's also super interesting! You’re diving into everything from human evolution to cultures around the world, which means a lot of reading, research, and writing. It’s not as cut-and-dry as, say, some STEM degrees, but it definitely requires critical thinking and the ability to analyze different societies and their complexities. Students often say it’s a lot of work, especially when it comes to papers and projects, but if you’re really passionate about understanding people and cultures, it can feel rewarding, too. So, while it’s not the easiest degree out there, if you love the subject, it can be a really cool experience!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Anthropology.
Looking at the job paths of these UC Davis Anthropology grads, it seems like they’ve had a mixed bag in terms of money. The ones who went into roles with the Marine Corps and logistics generally seem to have had decent salaries, especially at higher management levels, which is a big plus. On the flip side, a lot of the others started in internships or entry-level positions, which often don't pay all that well. Some of them transitioned to roles that likely offer better pay over time, like the Senior Archaeologist and the Benefits Manager, but it might take a while before they hit their financial stride. Overall, while there are some pockets of solid income, many of them seem to be on the slower side of climbing the salary ladder in fields that often start out a bit low. So, it’s a bit of a mixed picture – some doing well, but others still grinding it out.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Anthropology (this is across all Anthropology graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to University of California, Davis). This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Anthropology (ordered by the average relevance score of their Anthropology graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:
College | Score | Count |
---|---|---|
University of Arizona | 58 | 10 |
University of California, Berkeley | 58 | 12 |
College of Charleston | 47 | 11 |
University of California, Davis | 45 | 11 |
University of Central Florida | 43 | 14 |
University of California, Los Angeles | 39 | 42 |
University of California, Santa Cruz | 36 | 18 |
University of North Texas | 35 | 11 |
University of California, Riverside | 33 | 16 |
University of Florida | 32 | 29 |
Arizona State University | 27 | 15 |
The University of Texas at Austin | 26 | 12 |
University of South Florida | 24 | 11 |
San Francisco State University | 18 | 15 |