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

First, some facts. Of the Design 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 84%, Design graduates from University of California, Davis have a much higher likelihood (+17%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 84%
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 9% 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 Design graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

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


Relevance score: 77%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2023 from University of California, Davis with a Bachelor of Arts - BA in Design. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Graphic Design Intern
Botanik Herbs & Tea
Jan 2023 - Mar 2023
As a Graphic Design Intern at Botanik Herbs & Tea, the role directly involves utilizing design skills acquired during the Bachelor's program, emphasizing the relevance of graphic design expertise.

Graphic Design Intern
Team Epiphany
Sep 2023 - Dec 2023
The Graphic Design Intern position at Team Epiphany necessitates the application of specific design principles and techniques learned in the Bachelor's degree, making it highly relevant.

Front Desk Attendant
Plank + Power
Apr 2024 - Present
While being a Front Desk Attendant at Plank + Power may require some customer interaction skills that could benefit from design principles, the core responsibilities do not substantially utilize the skills and knowledge specific to a BA in Design.

ABOUT

Hi, I'm [NAME REMOVED]! I am a designer based in the Bay Area and a recent graduate from UC Davis. I am continuously evolving my design style and interests, but I have a passion for typography, branding, fashion and interior design.

What jobs can you get with a Design 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:


Looking at the job profiles of graduates from UC Davis with a degree in Design, it’s clear that a lot of them have landed positions that directly relate to their studies. Many graduates took on roles like Graphic Designers, Art Directors, and UI/UX Designers, which heavily rely on the skills and knowledge they gained during their time in college. Positions such as Freelance Graphic Designer and Digital Designer also pop up frequently, showcasing how popular these roles are for alumni. It seems that the curriculum provided them with a strong foundation that they’ve put to good use in various creative fields.

However, not all jobs they ended up in were directly related to design. Some roles, like Beauty Advisor or administrative positions, didn’t require any specific design skills, meaning they have strayed from their core study area. Overall, while many graduates successfully aligned their careers with their design backgrounds, there’s a noticeable gap in some instances where they’ve taken on roles that don’t fully utilize their design training. So, in conclusion, while a solid chunk of these job opportunities is relevant to their degrees, there's a mix of unrelated positions in the mix as well.

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

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

Graduates from the Design program at UC Davis seem to have taken a variety of paths after finishing their degrees, and overall, many of them have found careers fairly relevant to their field. For instance, right out of school, a lot of them jumped into roles like graphic design, project management, or even freelancing, which is pretty common in creative fields. Some have started off with internships or entry-level positions, which makes sense since many jobs in design often require some work experience. Over time, it looks like many have advanced into positions such as Art Director or UI/UX Designer, which reflects a trend of upward mobility in their careers related to design. So, that's a positive takeaway! Graduates from the earlier classes definitely seem to be establishing themselves and growing within the industry.

Looking at the longer trajectories, like five or ten years post-graduation, it’s notable that several individuals have continued to climb the ladder and have taken on leadership roles in their organizations. While there are some who have ventured into freelance or more varied paths, many remain connected to design projects and relevant fields, indicating a strong foundation from their education. Some have started their own projects or companies, showcasing an entrepreneurial spirit that can be pretty beneficial in the design world. In summary, it seems that a degree in Design from UC Davis can lead to solid career opportunities, particularly for those who keep building their skills and pursuing experiences in relevant areas!

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

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Design can be a pretty mixed bag in terms of difficulty, and it really depends on your personal strengths and interests. At UC Davis, you can expect a solid curriculum that dives into both the creative and technical sides of design, so if you love being hands-on and experimenting with different mediums, you might find it engaging rather than super tough. That said, there can be intense projects and tight deadlines that might make things a bit stressful, especially if you're not used to juggling multiple assignments at once. Overall, it’s probably on the higher end of average in terms of workload since design places a lot of emphasis on critique and refining your work, but if you're passionate about it, you'll likely find it more exciting than overwhelmingly hard!

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 Design.

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

So, if we're looking at the job paths of these UC Davis Design grads, it seems like they're doing alright, but maybe not rolling in it just yet. The ones who graduated earlier are holding solid positions like Project Manager and Art Director, which likely pay decent salaries, especially since they've been in the game for a while. The earlier grads also have some stability in their roles, which usually leads to better earnings over time. The more recent grads are hustling with internships and starting positions that often pay less, but they’re also getting their foot in the door with some cool companies. Overall, it looks like there's potential for good money down the line, especially if they keep climbing the ladder in their careers!

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

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

College Score Count
University of California, Davis 84 11