What can you do with a Anthropology degree from University of California, Los Angeles?

First, some facts. Of the Anthropology 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 42 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Bad. Overall, with an average relevance score of 39%, Anthropology graduates from University of California, Los Angeles have a substantially lower likelihood (-28%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 39%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, 47% 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 Anthropology graduate.

See the details:

View a random Anthropology graduate from University of California, Los Angeles and our analysis:


Relevance score: 59%

We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2012 from University of California, Los Angeles with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Anthropology. Also pursued further education since (see below).

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Sales Associate
Sears Authorized Hometown Stores, LLC
Jun 2012 - Dec 2013
The position of Sales Associate does not require any specific skills or knowledge in anthropology, focusing instead on retail and customer service.

Archaeological Technician
DZC Consulting
Nov 2014 - Oct 2016
As an Archaeological Technician, this role directly utilizes skills and knowledge from anthropology, specifically in archaeological fieldwork and analysis.

Archaeological Research Project Coordinator
ENPLAN Environmental Science & Planning
Oct 2014 - Dec 2016
The position of Archaeological Research Project Coordinator requires extensive use of anthropological knowledge and skills related to research design and field methodology.

Paralegal
Holm & O'Hara LLP
Dec 2016 - Present
The Paralegal role may involve some general knowledge useful in social or cultural contexts, but it does not fundamentally require skills or knowledge from anthropology as core qualifications.

FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATING
Master of Science (MSc)
Durham University
2013 - 2014
ABOUT

No information provided.

What jobs can you get with a Anthropology degree from University of California, Los Angeles?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


When looking at the career paths of graduates from UCLA with an Anthropology degree, it seems that many of them have ended up in roles that don't directly relate to the core principles of their studies. A significant number have pursued jobs in healthcare, education, and community services, like being speech language pathologists or teachers. While these roles may involve some understanding of human behavior and cultural dynamics, they often center around practical tasks that don’t require deep anthropological knowledge. For example, positions such as Administrative Assistants, Legal Assistants, or even roles in marketing and sales fail to utilize the skills typically developed during their studies.

However, there are instances where graduates have landed positions that align more closely with their Anthropology background, particularly in roles like Archaeological Technician or Community Educator. These positions leverage anthropological insights and research methods that make good use of what they learned in school. Overall, while some graduates are able to relate their jobs to their field of study, many of them find themselves in careers that seem more disconnected from the essence of Anthropology. This shows a mix of career relevance where practical experience and a degree don't always go hand in hand, which is pretty common in many liberal arts fields.

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, Los Angeles):

What kind of career trajectories do Anthropology graduates from University of California, Los Angeles have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

Graduates from UCLA's Anthropology program seem to have a pretty diverse range of career paths after finishing their degree, and the early jobs they get tend to vary quite a bit. A lot of them seem to take on roles like research assistants, educators, or administrative positions soon after graduation. For example, some jumped into internships that provided hands-on experience in public health or community outreach, while others found roles in education or healthcare. It’s clear that a large percentage of them are leveraging their anthropology background in areas that require strong communication and interpersonal skills, like teaching or social services.

Fast forward five to ten years, and you start to see some of these graduates really honing their careers. Many stick with social services, education, or healthcare, moving up the ladder into more specialized roles, such as clinical research coordinators or project directors. Others have shifted into fields that aren’t directly related to anthropology but still benefit from their skills, like marketing, law, or even tech. A few have even found success in creative industries, which shows a cool versatility in their education. So while it seems like some folks may not be using their degree in a directly relevant way, they're often still finding fulfilling careers. Overall, it seems like the connections made during their studies help more than a few kickstart a pretty solid career path, even if it's not always in traditional anthropology roles.

How hard is a Anthropology degree from University of California, Los Angeles?

Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology at UCLA can be pretty challenging, but it’s also super interesting if you’re into understanding human societies and cultures. The workload can be intense, with a mix of reading assignments, research papers, and some fieldwork, depending on what you choose to focus on. While some students find it easier than other majors, if you’re not a fan of writing or diving deep into complex theories, it might feel a bit tough at times. Overall, it’s not the easiest degree out there, but if you're curious and ready to engage with diverse perspectives, you'll likely find it rewarding!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 2 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Anthropology.

Do Anthropology graduates from University of California, Los Angeles tend to make good money?

So, looking at this list of UCLA anthropology grads, it seems like they’re mixing it up when it comes to salaries. The ones who went into healthcare, like speech language pathologists, have definitely found themselves in higher-paying roles, especially since they’ve worked their way up to owning practices. On the flip side, a lot of others have taken jobs in education or community service, which tend to pay less. Legal roles show promise for decent earnings, particularly with those who became attorneys and climbed the ladder. Overall, it looks like some are doing pretty well and probably making decent money, while others might struggle a bit more financially with their choices. So, it really depends on the path they took after graduation!

What buzzwords do Anthropology graduates use to describe themselves?

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, Los Angeles). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Anthropology?

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