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

First, some facts. Of the Biochemistry 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 32 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Slightly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 70%, Biochemistry graduates from University of California, Los Angeles have a slightly higher likelihood (+3%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 70%
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, 71% 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 Biochemistry graduate.

See the details:

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


Relevance score: 73%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2014 from University of California, Los Angeles with a Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Analytical Chemist
Advanced Technology Laboratories
Oct 2014 - Apr 2016
The position of Analytical Chemist at Advanced Technology Laboratories directly utilizes the principles of biochemistry and analytical techniques learned during the Bachelor's degree, making it highly relevant.

Analytical Chemist I
Eurofins
Apr 2016 - Sep 2017
As an Analytical Chemist I at Eurofins, this role requires the application of biochemistry knowledge and analytical skills on a daily basis, directly aligning with the educational background.

Analytical Chemist II
Eurofins
Sep 2017 - Oct 2018
The position of Analytical Chemist II at Eurofins continues to build on the analytical and biochemical foundations from the Bachelor's degree, thus remaining closely related.

Senior Analytical Chemist
Eurofins
Oct 2018 - Jun 2019
As a Senior Analytical Chemist at Eurofins, the individual's work extensively employs biochemistry concepts and analytical methodologies acquired during their studies, making it highly pertinent.

Senior Calibration Engineer
NAMSA
Dec 2020 - Mar 2021
While the role of Senior Calibration Engineer at NAMSA may involve some analytical chemistry skills, it is more focused on calibration technologies rather than directly utilizing the biochemistry knowledge from the degree.

Chemist
NAMSA
Jun 2019 - Jul 2021
The position of Chemist at NAMSA may involve some overlap with biochemistry, but it likely focuses more broadly on chemical processes than specific biochemistry applications, resulting in moderate relevance.

Lead Chemist
NAMSA
Jul 2021 - Present
As a Lead Chemist at NAMSA, while some skills related to biochemistry could be applied, the role likely involves broader chemical knowledge and processes, leading to a moderate degree of relevance.

ABOUT

No information provided.

What jobs can you get with a Biochemistry 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 job paths taken by UCLA Biochemistry graduates, it’s clear that there’s quite a variety. A significant number have carved out careers in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors, such as roles as pharmacists, pharmacy interns, and clinical pharmacists. These positions directly relate to biochemistry, as they require an understanding of how drugs interact biochemically with the human body. Many also work as research assistants or lab technicians, where they utilize their scientific training in practical settings. Some graduates have ventured into roles that sustain a connection to their field, like quality control or assay development at biotech firms, which are directly relevant to biochemistry principles.

However, not all graduates stick closely to the core of biochemistry in their jobs. A considerable amount have taken on roles way outside their major, like claims assistants, project managers, or even positions in customer service. While they might pull some skills from their biochemistry education—like analytical thinking—most of these jobs don't directly tie back to their studies. In general, while a solid portion of graduates use their biochemistry backgrounds in relevant ways, there’s a noticeable mix of roles that drift away from the specifics of the degree itself. So, if you're considering this major, be prepared for a diverse range of potential career paths, some of which may be directly tied to biochemistry and others that are less so.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Biochemistry graduates (this is across all Biochemistry graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to University of California, Los Angeles):

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

Graduates with a Biochemistry degree from UCLA have tended to follow a somewhat diverse range of career paths, especially early on after graduation. Many of them kick-start their careers in roles that leverage their scientific expertise, such as laboratory technician positions, clinical pharmacy roles, or research assistantships. For instance, several graduates have found themselves in research environments at institutions like UCLA or working for companies in the pharmaceutical field. This suggests that right out of college, there's a strong inclination to pursue positions that are directly connected to Biochemistry, which is a positive sign for anyone looking to follow this path.

As time goes on—say five to ten years after graduation—many graduates appear to have advanced into significant roles within their fields. A notable number have climbed the ladder in pharmaceutical or healthcare organizations, moving into managerial and leadership positions, or transitioned into specialized roles like clinical pharmacists, managers of drug operations, or senior analysts. There are also those who have taken the academic route, becoming postdoctoral fellows or taking on research roles in esteemed institutions. While a few have ventured into unrelated fields, the general trend indicates a strong foothold in careers that are highly relevant to their Biochemistry background, showcasing a solid trajectory of growth and specialization over time.

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

A Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry at UCLA can be pretty challenging, so if you’re thinking about it, be ready to hit the books hard! The coursework typically involves a lot of rigorous classes like organic chemistry, physical chemistry, and advanced lab work, which can really test your analytical skills and understanding of complex concepts. It’s definitely not the easiest major out there, especially because you’re expected to grasp a lot of detailed information and apply it effectively. But if you have a passion for science and enjoy problem-solving, you might find it rewarding despite the tough workload. Just be prepared for some late nights and a fair share of studying!

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 Biochemistry.

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

Looking at the job paths of these UCLA biochemistry grads, it seems like many of them are set up for some pretty decent earnings down the line. You’ve got folks who transitioned into high-paying roles, especially in pharmacy and pharmaceuticals, where positions like clinical pharmacists and pharmacy managers often pull in good salaries. The graduates who went into health and dental fields, like dentists and senior managers in biopharma, are likely raking it in as well. Even the ones starting in research or support roles are building valuable experience that can lead to higher-paying positions down the road. So overall, while some early jobs might not have been high-paying, many are on an upward trajectory and likely hitting that sweet financial spot as they progress in their careers.

What buzzwords do Biochemistry 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 Biochemistry (this is across all Biochemistry 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 Biochemistry?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Biochemistry (ordered by the average relevance score of their Biochemistry graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count
Penn State University 86 16
The Ohio State University 85 13
Georgia Institute of Technology 85 10
University of California San Diego 84 10
University of California, Santa Cruz 83 20
West Chester University of Pennsylvania 81 12
Binghamton University 81 10
University of California, Berkeley 80 35
Northeastern University 80 16
University of Nebraska-Lincoln 79 14
University of Massachusetts Amherst 77 16
Stony Brook University 76 13
University of California, Davis 75 34
North Carolina State University 74 11
Appalachian State University 73 10
Virginia Tech 73 18
University of Washington 71 51
University of Wisconsin-Madison 71 25
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 71 24
University of South Florida 70 17
University of California, Los Angeles 70 32
University of Michigan 70 16
San Francisco State University 70 14
Arizona State University 69 27
University of Florida 69 10
University of Arizona 69 16
Missouri State University 68 11
University of Colorado Boulder 66 15
University of California, Riverside 65 18
Boston University 65 10
Towson University 64 14
Boston College 63 13
Kennesaw State University 61 11
University of Oklahoma 61 11
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo 60 14
Clemson University 60 13
The University of Texas at Austin 59 36
University of Connecticut 59 15
Temple University 58 10
The University of Texas at Dallas 56 10
University of Tennessee, Knoxville 49 10