What can you do with a Chemistry degree from University of California, Davis?

First, some facts. Of the Chemistry 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? Significantly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 86%, Chemistry graduates from University of California, Davis have a much higher likelihood (+19%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 86%
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, only 18% 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 Chemistry graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random Chemistry graduate from University of California, Davis and our analysis:


Relevance score: 60%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2014 from University of California, Davis with a Bachelor of Science - BS in Chemistry. Also pursued further education since (see below).

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Key Holder
SANRIO SURPRISES
Oct 2014 - Feb 2018
The position of Key Holder at SANRIO SURPRISES does not require any chemistry-specific knowledge or skills, making it unrelated to the Bachelor's degree in Chemistry.

Intern
Northridge Hospital Medical Center
Jun 2018 - Dec 2018
The internship at Northridge Hospital Medical Center may involve some knowledge of chemistry in terms of lab procedures, but it is not directly centered around core qualifications of a Chemistry degree.

Ultrasound Technologist
City of Hope
Apr 2019 - Present
As an Ultrasound Technologist at City of Hope, the job likely requires understanding of human biology and chemistry principles, making it highly relevant to the background in Chemistry.

FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATING
Associate of Applied Science
Community Based Education and Development CBD College
2017 - 2019
ABOUT

I am currently seeking an opportunity to apply my skills in the medical field. I am very attentive and detailed oriented. I strive to provide the best care along with showing compassion and taking the time to get to know patients. I am an organized person that has learned to manage my time wisely. I have previous experience working with customers in a retail position. I am a Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonography and have received awards for academic achievement and perfect attendance.

What jobs can you get with a Chemistry degree from University of California, Davis?

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 with a Chemistry degree from the University of California, Davis, there’s a clear trend toward roles that heavily involve scientific research and analysis. Many of these graduates have secured positions such as research assistants, scientists, and technicians, particularly in fields like agriculture, toxicology, and quality assurance. These roles not only require a strong foundation in chemistry but also allow individuals to apply the concepts they've learned throughout their studies in practical settings. For instance, roles like Graduate Research Assistant and Associate Analytical Chemist directly involve hands-on experiments and lab techniques that are central to chemistry.

However, it's interesting to note that not all jobs align closely with a chemistry background. Some graduates have ventured into positions like project management or retail, where chemistry knowledge isn't a key requirement. This highlights a broader employment landscape where the analytical and problem-solving skills gained from a chemistry degree can open doors to diverse fields, even if the roles themselves are not chemistry-specific. Overall, while many graduates have found work that directly correlates with their studies, there are also significant numbers who have taken their education into less traditional paths—showing that a Chemistry degree can be versatile, even if it's not always strictly applied.

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

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

Based on the LinkedIn profiles of graduates from UC Davis with a degree in Chemistry, it seems like many of them have embarked on solid career paths that closely relate to their field. Right after graduation, you'll notice that a lot of these individuals step into roles like research assistant positions or technician jobs, often in laboratories or agricultural settings. These initial jobs appear to set a strong foundation for them, helping them build valuable skills and experience in hands-on scientific environments. Roles such as laboratory manager, analyst, and even teaching positions come up frequently within the first few years, which suggests that graduates are finding ways to leverage their education effectively.

Looking further down the line, say five to ten years after graduating, many alums continue to advance within relevant fields. Some have moved into higher-level positions like senior scientists or analytical chemists in companies involved in healthcare, agriculture, or environmental services. Others have taken on responsibilities in research and development, contributing to innovative projects that make use of their chemistry background. While there are a couple of instances where graduates took quite unconventional paths, like moving into retail or consulting unrelated to chemistry, the majority seem to be successfully carving out careers in roles that harness their scientific training. Overall, it appears that a degree in Chemistry from UC Davis provides a strong entry point into meaningful and relevant careers.

How hard is a Chemistry degree from University of California, Davis?

Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry at UC Davis can be pretty challenging, but it's definitely doable if you're willing to put in the effort. Chemistry is one of those subjects where you’ll need to master a lot of tricky concepts and spend hours in the lab, which can feel overwhelming at times, especially with all the homework and studying for exams. The coursework can be rigorous, and you might find the exams to be pretty tough, but if you have a passion for science and are ready to dive into it, you’ll probably find it rewarding, too. Overall, it’s about average in difficulty compared to other science degrees, but be prepared to work hard and stay organized!

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 Chemistry.

Do Chemistry graduates from University of California, Davis tend to make good money?

So, when you check out the job history of these UC Davis Chemistry grads, it’s a bit of a mixed bag in terms of how well they're doing financially. Some of them have made their way into solid positions—like the ones at Kraft Heinz and in various scientific roles, which usually pay pretty well. However, there are also some who started in lower-paying tech roles or part-time gigs right out of college, which can be tough to live on, especially in places like California. Overall, it seems like many have moved into decent jobs over time, potentially making good money, but for a few, it looks like they might be scraping by a bit more in their early career. It’s a classic case of working up the ladder, you know?

What buzzwords do Chemistry 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 Chemistry (this is across all Chemistry graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to University of California, Davis). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Chemistry?

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

College Score Count
University of California, Santa Cruz 88 10
University of California, Davis 86 11
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 85 19
Texas A&M University 83 11
Georgia State University 82 11
Purdue University 80 11
Virginia Commonwealth University 80 15
The Ohio State University 79 13
University of Pittsburgh 78 12
The University of Texas at Austin 76 15
Penn State University 75 11
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 75 19
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities 73 10
University of Wisconsin-Madison 70 12
University of Washington 67 15
Emory University 62 10
Florida International University 60 10
UC Santa Barbara 46 10
Texas Tech University 42 10