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First, some facts. Of the Ecology And Evolutionary Biology 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 19 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 61%, Ecology And Evolutionary Biology graduates from University of California, Santa Cruz have a lower likelihood (-6%) 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, 52% 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 Ecology And Evolutionary Biology graduate.
See the details:
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Relevance score: 100% We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2017 from University of California, Santa Cruz with a Bachelor of Science - BS with High Honors in Ecology And Evolutionary Biology. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONEnvironmental Services Crew Leader California State Parks Sep 2017 - Mar 2021 Environmental Scientist California Department of Fish and Wildlife Mar 2021 - Present ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When we look at the kinds of jobs that recent graduates from UC Santa Cruz with degrees in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology have taken, a clear pattern emerges. Many of them have gravitated towards roles that are directly related to environmental science and conservation, particularly in governmental and nonprofit organizations, such as positions at California’s Department of Fish and Wildlife and environmental agencies like CalRecycle. These positions usually require a solid understanding of ecology, evolutionary principles, and hands-on fieldwork such as wildlife observation, research assistance, and environmental analysis, which tons of graduates were able to embrace fully. Interestingly, roles like the Marine Fisheries Observer and various Scientific Aid positions really stand out, too; they underline an evident connection to the skills and knowledge gained during their studies, focused on preserving ecosystems and understanding biodiversity.
However, it’s not all directly related to ecology. A significant number of graduates have ventured into jobs that don’t utilize their degrees as closely. For instance, childcare positions, hospitality roles, and even some management positions in completely unrelated fields pop up quite a bit. Those roles often lack a direct application of ecological concepts. While it’s great that they’re finding work, it’s a bit concerning because many aren’t using the specialized knowledge they worked so hard to gain. Overall, while there are plenty of relevant and fulfilling roles that graduates are landing, there is also a noticeable proportion that seems to stray far from the ecological and evolutionary biology path, which suggests that the job market might not always align perfectly with their academic backgrounds.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Ecology And Evolutionary Biology graduates (this is across all Ecology And Evolutionary Biology graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to University of California, Santa Cruz):
The career trajectories of graduates from the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology program at UC Santa Cruz reveal a diverse array of paths that reflect both the environmental focus of their studies and the broader job market. For many, the first jobs after graduation often align with ecological work, like environmental scientists or technicians, indicating a clear application of their degree. Take the example of graduates from 2010 through 2014—many of them found positions within environmental agencies or research roles, which demonstrates a connection to their academic background. Over the first five years, these graduates generally seem to stay within or transition to roles that are at least tangentially related to ecology, often climbing the ranks in environmental or governmental organizations, as seen with positions like Senior Environmental Scientist or Branch Chief.
However, as time progresses, we see some graduates veer off into unrelated fields or roles that don’t fully utilize their ecology expertise. For instance, individuals who took on nannying or completely different jobs might suggest a struggle to find positions directly aligned with their degree, particularly after a few years in the workforce. Fewer graduates end up in high-stakes or critical research roles over a decade, with some shifting towards management or operational positions in unrelated industries. This mixed bag reflects the competitive job market and the challenge of securing ideal positions directly tied to ecology, but it's also encouraging to see many graduates still finding fulfilling roles that contribute to environmental science and advocacy. Overall, while some face challenges in staying true to their majors, many navigate successfully into relevant careers in the environment field.
A Bachelor’s degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at UC Santa Cruz can be pretty challenging, but it really depends on your interests and strengths. The coursework often requires a good grasp of biology, chemistry, and statistics, so if you're passionate about the subject, you might find it more enjoyable than difficult. There's a lot of hands-on fieldwork and lab work, which can be intense but also super rewarding. Overall, it's about on par with other science degrees in terms of difficulty; you’ll need to put in the effort, especially if you're aiming for a strong understanding of the material. If you love the outdoors and have a curiosity about how life on Earth works, though, you might find it less grueling and more fascinating!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Ecology And Evolutionary Biology.
Looking at the career paths of these Ecology and Evolutionary Biology graduates from UC Santa Cruz, it seems like there's a mixed bag when it comes to their earnings. The environmental scientists, especially those who moved up the ranks at CalRecycle, likely made decent salaries, especially as they transitioned into managerial roles. On the other hand, many of the others, like those who worked as nannies or caregivers, probably didn’t pull in as much cash, since these jobs typically pay less. Some graduates have found good positions within government and research sectors, which can pay fairly well, but there are also those who have taken more entry-level roles or internships early on. Overall, it's safe to say that while some of them are on a path to earn a solid income, others may struggle a bit financially, especially at the start.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Ecology And Evolutionary Biology (this is across all Ecology And Evolutionary Biology graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to University of California, Santa Cruz). This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Ecology And Evolutionary Biology (ordered by the average relevance score of their Ecology And Evolutionary Biology graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:
| College | Score | Count |
|---|---|---|
 University of California, Santa Cruz
|
61 | 19 |
 University of Colorado Boulder
|
54 | 23 |