What can you do with a Anthropology degree from University of California, Santa Cruz?

First, some facts. Of the Anthropology graduates from University of California, Santa Cruz 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 18 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Horrible! Overall, with an average relevance score of 36%, Anthropology graduates from University of California, Santa Cruz have an exceptionally lower likelihood (-31%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 36%
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, 38% 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, Santa Cruz and our analysis:


Relevance score: 1%

We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2011 from University of California, Santa Cruz with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Anthropology. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Anthropology Department Peer Advisor
UC Santa Cruz
Mar 2011 - Jun 2011
The position of Anthropology Department Peer Advisor directly uses knowledge and skills from the anthropology degree, including understanding cultural and social structures.

Manager
RAMEN SHOP
Feb 2014 - 2017
Managing a ramen shop does not require specific skills or knowledge from an anthropology degree, as it primarily focuses on food service management rather than cultural analysis.

Server/Host
RAMEN SHOP
Dec 2012 - Sep 2018
Serving as a server/host in a ramen shop does not necessitate the specific knowledge or skills from an anthropology degree, focusing instead on hospitality and customer service.

Floor Manager / Beer Buyer
Marlow & Sons
Oct 2018 - Jul 2020
The role of Floor Manager / Beer Buyer at Marlow & Sons does not involve core anthropology skills, as it is more centered on management and beverage procurement.

Floor Manager
Marlow & Sons
Oct 2018 - Present
Serving as a Floor Manager at Marlow & Sons does not utilize specific knowledge from anthropology, focusing instead on general management and customer service skills.

Food Server / Bartender
Diner
Jul 2020 - Present
The role of Food Server/Bartender at Diner does not require anthropology expertise, as it is primarily about food and beverage service rather than cultural studies.

Food Server
Cervos
Jun 2021 - Present
Working as a Food Server at Cervos does not directly employ the skills or knowledge gained from an anthropology degree, focusing more on hospitality tasks.

ABOUT

No information provided.

What jobs can you get with a Anthropology degree from University of California, Santa Cruz?

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


So, if we take a look at the career paths of those who graduated with a degree in Anthropology from UC Santa Cruz, it seems like a lot of them ended up in roles that aren't really tied back to anthropology itself. Many of these grads found jobs in food service, customer support, and management positions, especially at places like pizza shops and tech companies. For instance, roles like Delivery Driver, Shift Manager, and various positions at Apartment List focus more on customer service and operational management rather than applying anthropological insights about cultures or communities. That being said, a few individuals did take their skills directly into areas more closely aligned with anthropology, such as field archaeology and community engagement roles, which actually utilize the cultural and social understandings gained during their studies.

Overall, it looks like while some find ways to use their anthropology background in specific roles—like working with communities or in educational positions—many of their jobs don't require that knowledge at all. It appears that the transferability of skills learned in anthropology can help in various fields, but the direct application of their degree often feels a bit lacking. It’s pretty common for arts and humanities grads to go into fields that might not utilize their degree directly, but it can also mean a more varied career path than what someone might expect right out of college. So, if you’re thinking about majoring in anthropology, just keep in mind that your job options could be broad, and not all of them will tap into what you've studied in school.

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, Santa Cruz):

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

Looking at the career trajectories of UC Santa Cruz Anthropology graduates, it seems there's quite a mixed bag out there. Many of them kick off their post-college life with jobs that aren't directly tied to Anthropology, often starting in roles like sales, customer service, or at restaurants. For example, one person went from delivery driver to general manager at a pizzeria before moving on to a career in customer success at various tech companies. This suggests that while they might not jump straight into Anthropology-related positions, they leverage their skills in interpersonal communication and management in other fields. It’s not uncommon to see a significant shift away from Anthropology during the early years after graduation.

Fast forward five years or so, and it looks like some grads manage to find their footing in more relevant positions related to their studies, like museum management or even roles in social services and community health. Others still seem to be in roles that are indirectly related, like educational positions or project management. However, there are also a good chunk of graduates who find themselves in completely different sectors, often somewhere in tech or business that don’t necessarily align with what they studied. Overall, while some alumni end up doing meaningful work that ties back to their Anthropology degree, many don't – showing a blend of pathways that range from leveraging their skills in various industries to pursuing their passion for culture in more direct ways as time goes on.

How hard is a Anthropology degree from University of California, Santa Cruz?

So, getting a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology is pretty manageable at UC Santa Cruz, but it does have its challenges, like any major. The coursework often involves a mix of theory, research, and sometimes fieldwork, which means you’ve got to be ready to think critically and engage with diverse cultures and practices. You'll probably encounter a lot of reading and writing, so if you enjoy digging deep into human behaviors and cultures, you might find it interesting rather than super tough. Overall, it’s not considered one of the hardest majors out there, but it definitely requires dedication and a genuine interest in the subject to really thrive. Just be prepared to keep up with assignments and participate actively in discussions!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Anthropology.

Do Anthropology graduates from University of California, Santa Cruz tend to make good money?

It seems like the grads from UC Santa Cruz have taken a pretty mixed route when it comes to their careers and earnings. Some of them started off in lower-paying positions, like delivery drivers or in food service, which is normal for recent graduates just getting their foot in the door. However, as they gain experience, many have climbed up into roles that likely pay better, like account managers, success managers, and even directors at organizations. For instance, the ones who moved into tech or management roles seem to have decent salaries that reflect their responsibilities. Meanwhile, others who remained in non-profit, education, or the arts may not be hitting those higher salary marks, which is typical in those fields. Overall, while some are probably doing quite well, others might be grinding it out a bit more, living that classic "starving artist" lifestyle. So, it really depends on the specific path they chose 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, Santa Cruz). 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