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

First, some facts. Of the Biochemistry 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 20 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Significantly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 83%, Biochemistry graduates from University of California, Santa Cruz have a much higher likelihood (+16%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 83%
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, 40% 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, Santa Cruz and our analysis:


Relevance score: 98%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2019 from University of California, Santa Cruz with a Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Assistant Coordinator Volunteer Services
Good Samaritan Hospital
Nov 2019 - Jan 2020
The role of Assistant Coordinator Volunteer Services at Good Samaritan Hospital may involve some use of interpersonal skills relevant to biochemistry, but it does not utilize specific biochemistry knowledge on a daily basis.

Cell Therapy Specialist II
Kite Pharma
Mar 2020 - Present
as a Cell Therapy Specialist II at Kite Pharma, the job requires extensive use of biochemistry knowledge and skills in cell therapy applications, making it directly relevant to the Bachelor's degree.

ABOUT

No information provided.

What jobs can you get with a Biochemistry 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:


When we look at the job paths of graduates from the University of California, Santa Cruz with a degree in Biochemistry, it becomes pretty clear that many have ventured into roles that allow them to apply their knowledge directly. A significant number of these individuals have landed roles in the pharmacy field as pharmacists or pharmacy technicians, where a solid understanding of biochemistry is crucial in ensuring safe medication dispensing and patient care. Others have gravitated toward clinical research positions, often in roles like Clinical Research Coordinator or Associate, where biochemistry principles play a big part in conducting and analyzing scientific studies. There seems to be a strong trend towards research-oriented positions that really capitalize on the skills these graduates acquired during their education.

However, it isn't all sunshine and biochemistry-related opportunities. There are also quite a few instances where graduates ended up in jobs that seem pretty far removed from their field of study. Positions like Barista, Optometric Assistant, or even a Beauty Advisor don’t exactly scream "biochem." Although some of these jobs may involve skills that were sharpened during their degree, they don't utilize biochemistry knowledge on a daily basis. So, while many Biochemistry graduates are doing cool stuff that relates directly to their studies, a fair share are also finding themselves in roles that don’t quite match their educational background. It's a mixed bag, but overall, the most relevant positions still shine through, especially in health and research sectors!

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, Santa Cruz):

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

When we look at the career paths of Biochemistry graduates from the University of California, Santa Cruz, there are some definite trends to note. Many of these graduates seem to start off in jobs that are pretty related to their field, especially in healthcare and research. For instance, a good number of them kick off their careers as pharmacy technicians, research assistants, or in various roles within clinical research settings. It’s a solid start that helps them gain relevant experience and skills that tie back to their Biochemistry degree.

Fast forward five or ten years down the line, and we see some of these individuals climbing up the ladder in the healthcare or research sectors. Many go on to work as clinical research coordinators, quality assurance technicians, or even specialty pharmacists. There’s also a notable number who transition into more advanced scientific roles, such as associate scientists or project managers in biotechnology companies. However, it’s also worth mentioning that not everyone seems to stick closely to their Biochemistry roots, as some graduates have taken unexpected turns, landing jobs in unrelated fields like retail or service roles right after graduation. Overall, while the prospects after graduation look fairly promising for many in terms of finding relevant work, there are those who might stray from the direct path they'd hoped for.

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

Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry at UC Santa Cruz or anywhere else is generally considered to be on the tougher side, but it really depends on your background and interest in the subject. You'll be diving into a lot of complex topics, including organic chemistry, molecular biology, and physical chemistry, which can definitely be challenging if you're not super into science. Plus, you’ll have lab work that requires both practical skills and a solid understanding of concepts, which can pile on the workload. However, if you love the material and stay on top of your studies, it can be manageable. Just know that a lot of students find it demanding, so it’s important to be ready to put in the effort!

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, Santa Cruz tend to make good money?

So, looking at the career paths of these Biochemistry grads from UC Santa Cruz, it seems they've had a pretty mixed bag when it comes to making decent money. The ones who became pharmacists seem to be doing well, as pharmacists often earn solid salaries, especially with the experience they've gathered over the years. Those in clinical research and biotech roles also have the potential to rake in good cash, especially as they climb the ladder to management positions. However, some of the earlier positions, like being a barista or an optometric assistant, probably didn't pay very much. For recent graduates, many are starting in entry-level roles that might not be the most lucrative right off the bat, but they have opportunities to grow. Overall, it looks like many are set up for a good financial future, especially in fields like pharmacy and biotech, but there are definitely some who started off on a rough path with lower-paying jobs.

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, Santa Cruz). 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