First, some facts. Of the Communication graduates from University of California, San Diego 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? Slightly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 70%, Communication graduates from University of California, San Diego have a slightly higher likelihood (+3%) 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.
Also, after graduating, only 0% 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 Communication graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.
See the details:
Relevance score: 96%We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2011 from University of California, San Diego with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONPublic Relations InternThe i.d.e.a. Brand Jan 2011 - Jun 2011 Marketing & Events FOOD Share of Ventura County Nov 2011 - Dec 2012 Media Relations FX Networks Dec 2012 - Feb 2016 Corporate Communications Creative Artists Agency Feb 2016 - May 2017 Marketing Communications and Events Specialist Spectrum Reach May 2017 - Sep 2019 Marketing Communications Manager Spectrum Reach Sep 2019 - Mar 2020 Senior Manager, Marketing Communications Spectrum Reach Mar 2020 - Jun 2022 Associate Director of Strategy at Google Media.Monks Jun 2022 - Present ABOUTAs a marketing professional with more than 10 years of experience in media, tech, and entertainment, I translate business objectives into impactful digital marketing programs at various stages of the customer journey.I am a writer at heart with an eye for design and a brain for business.I am a resourceful content creator, storyteller, strategist, and program manager with proven leadership qualities. I am a stickler for details and as hands-on as they come.-- Responsible for the creation and launch of Spectrum Reach's first-ever customer onboarding program, successful in positively impacting new customer spend and retention. 2021 Charter Achievement Award Winner 2018 Reach Elite Winner, Spectrum Reach 2019 LA ADDY Award Winner |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
So, when you look at the career paths of folks who graduated with a Communication degree from UC San Diego, it’s pretty interesting. A lot of these graduates have found jobs in marketing, event planning, public relations, and roles that involve direct client engagement. Positions like Marketing Coordinator, Digital Marketing Specialist, and Campaign Manager are super common and really tap into the skills they'd have learned during their studies. These roles require solid communication strategies, creativity, and the ability to engage with people, which align closely with what a Communication degree focuses on.
However, it’s not all clear-cut. There's a mix of positions where communication skills might be useful but aren't the main focus, like office management and administrative roles. Some jobs, like the Corporate Controller or various positions at eMoney Advisor, highlight that while communication skills can come in handy, they aren't central to what the job requires daily. So, while many grads are indeed using their Communication degrees in relevant ways, a chunk of them find themselves in roles that don’t fully leverage their specialized skill set, balancing the workforce with both related and unrelated positions. Overall, it's a blend of situations where the degree is put to good use alongside roles that could probably use more specialized knowledge in communication.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Communication graduates (this is across all Communication graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to University of California, San Diego):
It looks like graduates from the Communication program at UC San Diego have taken a variety of paths after finishing their degrees, with many finding positions in marketing, public relations, and event management right out of college. For their first jobs, it seems like a lot of them started in entry-level roles such as marketing coordinators, event planners, or sales positions. Internships in PR and marketing are also common stepping stones. This makes sense since these roles align pretty well with the skills they developed during their degree—things like effective communication, teamwork, and creative problem-solving.
Looking five to ten years down the road, it appears that many of them have continued to progress in fields related to communications and marketing. Some have climbed the ladder to higher roles, like marketing managers and directors in reputable companies or have taken on significant leadership positions in organizations. On the flip side, there are also examples of graduates who ventured into completely different fields or took longer to settle into roles that utilize their communication skills. Overall, while some may not have gone straight into their dream jobs, many have managed to carve out successful careers that still connect back to their Communication degree, which is pretty encouraging! It definitely shows that a degree in this field can lead to a variety of exciting opportunities if you're willing to put in the effort and explore your options.
Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Communication at UC San Diego, like any other program, has its challenges, but it's generally considered to be on the more manageable side compared to some other majors. You’ll dive into topics like media studies, interpersonal communication, and public speaking, which can be really interesting and creative. The workload isn’t as heavy as, say, engineering or hard science majors, but you still need to put in the effort, especially with projects and presentations. If you enjoy discussing ideas and engaging with different types of media, you’ll likely find it pretty enjoyable, though like any degree, it requires dedication and participation.
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 2 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Communication.
Looking at the career paths of these UC San Diego Communication grads, it seems like they've landed some decent jobs overall, though their earnings probably vary quite a bit. The ones who got into marketing and management roles at places like Google and Amazon likely make really good money, especially with the trajectory of their careers. Others have taken on roles in event planning and coordination, which can start off lower but might pay pretty well over time, especially if they move up. A few seem to be entrepreneurs, which can be hit or miss in terms of steady income. Overall, it doesn’t look like they’re rolling in it, but they’re probably doing alright compared to a lot of other fields.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Communication (this is across all Communication graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to University of California, San Diego). This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Communication (ordered by the average relevance score of their Communication graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates: