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First, some facts. Of the Film and Digital Media 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 12 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 51%, Film and Digital Media graduates from University of California, Santa Cruz have a much lower likelihood (-16%) 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 16% 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 Film and Digital Media graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.
See the details:
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Relevance score: 20% We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2012 from University of California, Santa Cruz with a Bachelor of Arts - BA in Film and Digital Media. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONAccount Manager INSTALLATION PARTNERS INC Jul 2014 - Jun 2015 Operations Manager INSTALLATION PARTNERS INC Jun 2015 - Dec 2019 Service Manager Ric Jan 2020 - Feb 2021 Case Manager  Colette's Children's Home Jan 2022 - Feb 2023 Case Manager New Journeys Behavioral Health Mar 2023 - Jun 2023 Addiction Recovery Counselor Intern Sustain Recovery Mar 2023 - Oct 2023 Program Manager AMFM Healthcare Jul 2023 - Oct 2023 Community Lead Grandma's House of Hope Jan 2022 - Oct 2023 Program Manager Grandma's House of Hope Oct 2023 - Apr 2024 FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGCAADE CertificationSaddleback College 2021 - 2023 ABOUTI am an accomplished professional in the human services field. I began my journey in service work and later pursued a two-year human service program to expand my knowledge in trauma-informed care, case management, benefits and entitlements, addiction studies, addiction treatment, counseling, harm reduction practices, and housing first models. During my studies, I had the honor of working as an intern, a case manager, and a program manager at some of the finest organizations in Orange County. My experiences have allowed me to perfect my skills and learn from the best while completing my CAADE. With a combined 17 years of customer service and operational experience, I understand the importance of working from the bottom up and knowing every aspect of an organization. I have developed a strong work ethic and familiarity with corporate and various work environments.Currently, I am applying for an MSW and looking for a position where I can use my skill set while going to school part-time online. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
From your analysis of LinkedIn profiles of graduates from the Film and Digital Media program at the University of California, Santa Cruz, it looks like a variety of job roles have been taken on by these alumni, ranging from production roles in film to positions that are more focused on management, client relations, and marketing. The most common types of jobs seem to fall under production coordinator or assistant roles, where individuals seem to directly use their film production skills. Many people worked as Production Coordinators or Assistants in major companies such as Netflix and ABC, which aligns closely with the skills acquired in their degree. These positions directly relate to film and digital media, leveraging their knowledge effectively.
However, an interesting trend emerges when looking at the full picture. A notable number of graduates ended up in roles like Account Managers, Marketing Coordinators, or Community Leads, which do not directly utilize their film and digital media skills. While some of these jobs may involve relevant soft skills such as communication and project management, they often stray far from the core principles of filmmaking. This suggests that while many graduates have found relevant positions within the film industry, others have drifted into fields where their degree may only offer a slight edge in terms of general skills. Overall, it appears that while there are certainly opportunities directly aligned with film and digital media, many graduates also find themselves in roles that aren’t as closely connected to their studies, highlighting the broader applicability of their skills across various industries.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Film and Digital Media graduates (this is across all Film and Digital Media graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to University of California, Santa Cruz):
The career trajectories of graduates from the Film and Digital Media program at University of California, Santa Cruz show a mixed bag. Many of those who graduated in the early 2010s started off in positions directly related to film and media, like production coordinators or editors, which is pretty typical for this field. However, as time goes on, you start to see a wider variety of career paths. For example, some have moved into more general operations or account management roles in industries completely unrelated to film, suggesting they might have pivoted away from their original career intentions for various reasons, like job availability or personal interest changes. It’s important to note that while some graduates found solid roles in production, others have ended up in marketing, sales, or even as case managers, which isn’t what you might expect from a media-focused degree.
If we look at graduates five to ten years post-graduation, we can see more of that pivot. While some are still involved in the film and media industry—working as producers, editors, or in various coordination roles—others have established careers in marketing, project management, and healthcare. This shift could mean that not everyone found the film industry as stable or fulfilling as they hoped right out of college. So, while there are definitely success stories of people thriving in film, like those who moved up the ladder in production roles or landed interesting positions at companies like Netflix and Disney, there’s also a significant number who have taken their skills and found success in unrelated fields. Ultimately, it seems like a Film and Digital Media degree offers a solid foundation, but its utility can vary quite a bit depending on individual circumstances and the paths chosen afterward.
A Bachelor’s degree in Film and Digital Media at UC Santa Cruz is definitely on the challenging side, but it can also be super rewarding if you’re into storytelling and creative projects. You’ll dive into a mix of theory, hands-on production, and critical analysis, so it requires a good balance of creativity and technical skills. You might find some courses demanding, especially if you're not used to tight deadlines or collaborative work, but if you're passionate about film and media, you’ll probably find it a lot of fun too! Overall, it’s a solid mix of hard work and creativity, so be ready to put in the effort, but also enjoy exploring your artistic side.
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Film and Digital Media.
So, looking at the jobs these Film and Digital Media grads from UC Santa Cruz have held since they graduated, it's kind of a mixed bag when it comes to making decent money. A few have taken on solid roles like Program Managers and Producers, which usually pay pretty well, especially in media and entertainment. On the flip side, many have bounced around a lot in freelance and lower-level positions, like production assistant gigs, which might not be super lucrative, especially when you're starting out. Overall, it seems like some have carved out good careers and likely make decent money now, but others might still be hustling to find that steady paycheck. It’s tough out there, especially in creative 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 Film and Digital Media (this is across all Film and Digital Media 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 Film and Digital Media (ordered by the average relevance score of their Film and Digital Media graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:
| College | Score | Count |
|---|---|---|
 Baylor University
|
58 | 12 |
 University of California, Santa Cruz
|
51 | 12 |