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First, some facts. Of the Economics graduates from UC Santa Barbara 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? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 66%, Economics graduates from UC Santa Barbara have a slightly lower likelihood (-1%) 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 31% 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 Economics graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.
See the details:
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Relevance score: 50% We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2023 from UC Santa Barbara with a Bachelor of Arts - BA in Economics. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONWholesale Sales Assistant Glass House Farms Oct 2023 - Jul 2024 ABOUTI am a recent UC Santa Barbara graduate with a proven track record of success in collaborative team environments and achieving goals while under pressure. I bring a creative, solution-oriented approach to every challenge I face and am always eager to learn and grow. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
After checking out the career paths of UC Santa Barbara graduates with a degree in Economics, it's clear that many of them have gravitated toward jobs that align well with their education, especially in fields like insurance, finance, and consulting. Positions such as Insurance Product Analyst, Financial Professional, and Management Consulting Associate indicate a strong connection between their roles and the principles learned in their economics programs. In fact, quite a few of these jobs require specific economic skills like market analysis, risk assessment, and economic theory application, which makes them very relevant to their studies.
However, it’s also worth noting that not every job reflects this direct link to economics. Some graduates have found themselves in roles like Sales Representative, Bartender, or Customer Success Associate, which don’t really utilize the core knowledge from their degree. While there might be some overlap with skills like analytical thinking or understanding consumer behavior, these positions often lack the depth of economic application. Overall, while many graduates do end up in relevant economic roles, there’s also a significant number who take a different route that doesn’t fully harness their economics education.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Economics graduates (this is across all Economics graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to UC Santa Barbara):
So, if you’re checking out what some recent Economics grads from UC Santa Barbara are up to, it’s a bit of a mixed bag. When you look at their first jobs after graduation, there’s a notable trend where many of them land roles related to finance, consulting, or insurance—and those can be pretty solid starting points. For instance, graduates from 2013 and 2021 seem to have taken their early roles in insurance and financial analysis, which align well with an Economics degree. Other grads from more recent years have also landed gigs in management consulting and business analysis, which can lead to a promising career trajectory. This might indicate that, overall, those who graduated in the earlier years have transitioned into respectable positions over time, especially in industries that thrive on economic principles.
However, not everyone is going down a traditional or expected path related to Economics. For example, some grads have taken jobs in sales, bartending, or as tasting room associates, which seem a bit off from the core of Economics. So, while the future does look bright for a good chunk of these graduates—especially those who are climbing the ladder in finance and consulting—there are also quite a few who have meandered into different fields entirely. In the long run, it really varies; some are definitely moving into impressive roles after 5-10 years, while others might find themselves in jobs that don’t fully utilize their degree. But hey, that’s part of the journey after college, right? You never know how things will shake out!
Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Economics can be pretty challenging, and UC Santa Barbara is no exception. You’ll dive into everything from micro and macroeconomic theory to statistics and econometrics, which can get pretty technical. The workload varies, but expect some tough classes that require solid analytical skills and a good grasp of math. While some students find certain parts easier, like the more theoretical aspects, others might struggle with the quantitative side. Overall, it’s a solid mix of challenging content, but if you enjoy problem-solving and have a genuine interest in understanding how economies work, it can be a rewarding experience!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Economics.
When looking at these UC Santa Barbara Economics grads, it seems like the ones who graduated earlier, particularly those from 2013 and 2018, have snagged better-paying roles, especially in insurance and analytics, which can be pretty lucrative fields. For example, the grad from 2013 moved up the ladder at CSAA Insurance Group and is now a Sr. Manager, which typically comes with a nice paycheck. On the other hand, the more recent grads from 2020 to 2023 are still climbing the ranks; while some have solid jobs like a Technical Account Manager or a Business Consultant, many are in entry-level or internship positions that generally don't pay as much right away. Overall, it seems like the older grads are making decent money, while the younger ones are still trying to find their footing in the job market.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Economics (this is across all Economics graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to UC Santa Barbara). This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Economics (ordered by the average relevance score of their Economics graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:
