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First, some facts. Of the History graduates from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo 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? Bad. Overall, with an average relevance score of 41%, History graduates from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo have a substantially lower likelihood (-26%) 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, 41% 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 History graduate.
See the details:
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Relevance score: 18% We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2020 from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo with a Bachelor of Arts - BA in History. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONAdministrative Assistant (Donor Relations, Finance, Board Liaison, Payroll) San Luis Obispo YMCA Apr 2020 - May 2021 Membership and Philanthropy Coordinator  San Luis Obispo YMCA May 2021 - Nov 2022 Administrative Paraprofessional Glenn Burdette Mar 2023 - Present FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGAssociate's degreeCuesta College 2024 - 2026 ABOUTDedicated and task-driven young professional. I pride myself on being very adaptable, excellent at communication, and willing to help others. I have been in the customer service industry for almost ten years, and have three years of non-profit administrative experience. Substantial knowledge of donor relations, program management, and membership management. Proud Cal Poly SLO history alumni. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When looking at the career paths of graduates with a History degree from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, a mix of jobs emerges, with several positions directly related to the field of history and others straying far from it. Many alumni seem to gravitate towards roles that involve some government or legal context, like legislative aides, victim advocates, and various positions within the District Attorney's Office. These jobs often require a solid grasp of historical events and legal contexts, which are skills honed during their studies. Additionally, positions at museums or with historical organizations, such as archivists or museum interns, also align closely with the educational background, emphasizing the application of historical knowledge and analysis.
On the flip side, it’s quite evident that not all jobs held by these graduates leverage their history training. Roles like administrative assistants, sales associates, or project coordinators don't typically involve much history-related knowledge or skills. While this shows the versatility of a History degree, it also highlights a challenge: many graduates end up in positions that are not directly relevant to their major. So, while some alumni find fulfilling work connected to their studies, others may take on roles that don’t utilize their history training at all. Overall, there's a decent mix, but it’s clear that the degree doesn't always guarantee a direct career path in history-related fields.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for History graduates (this is across all History graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo):
Looking at the career paths of History graduates from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, there's definitely a mix of trajectories. Right after graduating, many of them seem to take on roles that align with their degree. For example, some have interned at museums, worked as legislative aides, or held positions like project archivists, which indicates that fresh graduates are often stepping into jobs related to history and public service. This initial focus on relevant fields is encouraging, suggesting that a degree in History can lead to foundational experiences in government, education, or cultural institutions.
However, as we look at their careers five to ten years down the line, the picture becomes more varied. While some graduates continue to work in history-related fields—like teaching high school social studies or working as an architectural historian—others have branched out into different areas. For example, roles in sales, administrative positions, and the legal field appear among the mix, showing that some graduates may not be sticking strictly to history-related careers. Overall, while there certainly are success stories in relevant fields, there’s also a noticeable number who seem to find themselves in jobs that stray from their history background. This reflects a common trend where graduates often diversify their career paths, which is something to keep in mind if you're considering this major!
Studying for a Bachelor's degree in History at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo—or really anywhere—can be a mixed bag in terms of difficulty. It tends to be a bit more challenging than some of the easier majors because it requires a lot of reading, writing, and critical thinking. You’ll dive into various historical periods, analyze documents, and maybe even write some longer research papers, which can be demanding if that’s not your strong suit. That said, if you enjoy storytelling and figuring out how past events shape our world today, you might find it really engaging and rewarding. So, while it may not be the hardest major out there, it certainly requires a good amount of dedication and interest in the subject.
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in History.
When you look at the job histories of these Cal Poly history grads, it seems like they're on pretty solid career paths, but the pay might not be as high as you'd expect for a college degree. Some have started with internships and entry-level jobs that typically don’t pay much, like admin roles or park aide positions. Others have moved into more specialized fields, like legal jobs or teaching, which can pay better, especially in the long run. However, it’s clear many of these jobs are in public service or non-profits, which often aren't the best for pulling in the big bucks. So, while they might be doing meaningful work, it’s likely they aren't raking in a ton of cash just yet—though some may see better salaries as they gain more experience.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in History (this is across all History graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo). This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in History (ordered by the average relevance score of their History graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:
