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

First, some facts. Of the Chemistry 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 10 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Great! Overall, with an average relevance score of 88%, Chemistry graduates from University of California, Santa Cruz have a substantially higher likelihood (+21%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

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

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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 Chemistry graduate.

See the details:

• What jobs can you get with a Chemistry degree from University of California, Santa Cruz?
• What do Chemistry graduates from University of California, Santa Cruz do 1, 5 or 10 years out?
• How hard is a Chemistry degree from University of California, Santa Cruz? How long does it take?
• How much money can you make with a Chemistry degree from University of California, Santa Cruz?
• What are the best colleges for Chemistry?

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

Relevance score: 100% We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree. DEGREE INFO Graduated in 2016 from University of California, Santa Cruz with a Bachelor of Science - BS in Chemistry. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION Postdoctoral Researcher Princeton University Sep 2022 - Nov 2023 As a Postdoctoral Researcher at Princeton University, this position requires advanced knowledge and skills in chemistry, directly applying the expertise gained from the Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. Lead R&D Engineer Coherent Corp. Dec 2023 - Present The role of Lead R&D Engineer at Coherent Corp. necessitates a strong foundation in chemistry for research and development activities, making it highly relevant to the Bachelor's degree in Chemistry. FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATING Doctor of Philosophy - PhD Stanford University 2016 - 2022 ABOUT Im a solid-state chemist turned engineer who likes atomic-scale puzzles. Whether it's by synthesizing new semiconducting solids or discovering new ways to grow bigger and better crystals of silicon carbide, my goal is to improve the materials that underpin our modern technologies.

What jobs can you get with a Chemistry 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:

• Research Associate
• Postdoctoral Researcher
• Laboratory Technician
• Harvest Lab Technician
• Harvest Lab Assistant Intern
• Wine Club Director and Marketing Coordinator
• Senior Customer Service Representative
• Lab Assistant
• Lab Supervisor
• Scientist I (Roche)

Many of the graduates from the University of California, Santa Cruz who studied Chemistry have found their way into research and laboratory roles, especially in areas like environmental science, pharmaceuticals, and the wine industry. Positions such as Postdoctoral Researchers and Research Associates are pretty common, where they’re deep into the nitty-gritty of chemical principles, conducting experiments, and developing new knowledge. A lot of these jobs, like the ones at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Bayer Pharmaceuticals, and different wineries, lean heavily on what these folks learned in their degree programs. They’re doing hands-on work, whether that's analyzing chemical compounds or developing new products, so it’s definitely a solid fit for their chemistry backgrounds.

However, not all paths taken by these graduates stick closely to chemistry-related tasks. Some roles, like customer service positions, have very little to do with chemistry, focusing more on business or marketing needs rather than scientific expertise. Even in some more scientific roles, like environmental management or certain engineering positions, the connection to core chemistry principles can be loose. So, while many are right in their element using their degree, there are also quite a few who have ventured into adjacent areas where their chemistry knowledge might not be the star of the show anymore. Overall, it’s a mixed bag: many are honing their chemistry skills in meaningful ways, while others are testing the waters in different fields that don't rely so much on their education in chemistry.

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, Santa Cruz):

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

Based on the LinkedIn profiles of graduates from the University of California, Santa Cruz with degrees in Chemistry, it seems like a good number of them have found their way into solid and relevant careers right after graduation. Many of them kick-started their journeys as research assistants, lab technicians, or interns in various research institutions, wineries, and biotech companies. This initial trend points to a strong focus on research and applied chemistry roles, which is pretty encouraging for future students considering this field. For example, graduates have moved on to roles in prestigious places like Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and companies like Genentech, indicating a solid foundation in scientific positions straight out of school.

Looking a bit further down the line, around five to ten years after graduation, many of these individuals continue to climb the ladder within the sciences. They’ve taken on more responsibilities and leadership roles, moving from technician or researcher positions to roles like lab manager, senior scientists, and even lead engineers. Notably, some have even transitioned into more specialized areas like environmental science and pharmaceuticals. While a few have explored careers outside of direct chemistry applications, like marketing in the wine industry, overall, the trend for these graduates seems to lean positively toward careers that utilize their chemistry background effectively. So, if you're eyeing a degree in Chemistry at UCSC, many alumni have shown that it can lead to meaningful and impactful career paths in science and tech industries!

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

Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry at UC Santa Cruz, like most schools, can be pretty challenging, but it really depends on your interests and study habits. Chemistry involves a lot of detailed concepts, lab work, and problem-solving, which can be tough if you're not super into the science vibe. While some students find it manageable, others might struggle with the heavy coursework and the depth of the subject. If you're passionate about chemistry and willing to hit the books, you'll probably be okay, but it definitely has its moments where you might feel overwhelmed. So, if you’re up for the challenge, it could be a really rewarding experience!

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, Santa Cruz tend to make good money?

Looking at these Chemistry grads from UC Santa Cruz, it seems like most of them are on a pretty solid path, career-wise, which usually translates to decent pay. The ones working in labs and research positions, especially at places like Lawrence Livermore and Bayer, likely have a good salary—postdocs and researchers in well-funded labs can make anywhere from the low to mid six figures over time. Even those in the wine and biotech industries are moving up into roles like lab supervisors and process engineers, which often come with decent pay, especially in California. The newer grads are still starting out, but even entry-level positions in tech and research tend to pay better than average. Overall, yeah, it looks like a good chunk of them are probably making a decent living!

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, Santa Cruz). 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