First, some facts. Of the History graduates from University of California, Berkeley 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 16 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Horrible! Overall, with an average relevance score of 25%, History graduates from University of California, Berkeley have an exceptionally lower likelihood (-42%) 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, 50% 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:
Relevance score: 6%We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2016 from University of California, Berkeley with a Bachelor's degree in History. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONOlympic Sports OperationsUniversity of California, Berkeley Feb 2017 - Feb 2018 Arena Operations Golden State Warriors Aug 2017 - Aug 2018 Maps Operations Coordinator Stubhub Tickets Feb 2018 - Aug 2020 Catalog Specialist SeatGeek Aug 2021 - Nov 2021 Operator Chevron Nov 2021 - Present ABOUTCurrently employed full-time. Always seeking progressive movement opportunities. |
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 people who graduated with a History degree from UC Berkeley, it seems like there are two distinct groups. On one hand, you have folks who have landed positions that align well with their degree, such as teachers, legal interns, and positions in social justice organizations. These roles directly utilize their knowledge of historical analysis, legal precedents, and social contexts, making them relevant to their studies. For example, many history graduates have taken on teaching roles, where they not only draw from their understanding of historical events but also engage students in critical thinking about past societies and cultures.
On the flip side, a significant portion of these graduates has taken jobs that are pretty much unrelated to history. Many of them work in fields like real estate, logistics, and human resources, where the skills and knowledge from their History degree aren’t really in play. This trend suggests that while a history degree can provide valuable critical thinking and analytical skills, it doesn’t always lead directly to a career in history or education. So, while some graduates are applying their history knowledge in meaningful ways, a good number are finding themselves in positions where that knowledge isn’t a primary focus at all. It's a mix of both worlds, really!
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 University of California, Berkeley):
When you take a look at the career paths of History graduates from UC Berkeley, you'll notice a mixed bag of experiences. Right out of college, many seem to land in positions that aren’t directly tied to their major. For instance, some start as project assistants, human resources associates, or even realtors, which shows that while their history degree gives them analytical and communication skills, a lot of graduates end up pursuing careers in fields like education, real estate, and logistics. These roles might not scream "history," but they tap into the core skills these students developed during their studies—like research, critical thinking, and effective communication.
Fast forward five to ten years down the line, and it seems many graduates find their way into more specialized fields, particularly in education and law. Some have moved into teaching roles, becoming adjunct instructors or full-time educators, which allows them to share their passion for history with younger generations. Others have transitioned into the legal field, often taking internships and clerkships that leverage their research abilities. However, a significant number also end up in areas that don’t directly relate to history, such as software engineering or logistics roles. Overall, while some go on to have fulfilling careers that align with their degree, many find themselves sidestepping into various other fields, reflecting a broader job market where a specific degree isn't always a straight pathway to a related career.
Getting a Bachelor’s degree in History at UC Berkeley can be pretty demanding, but it's also super rewarding if you're passionate about the subject. The coursework tends to be intense, with lots of reading, writing, and critical analysis. You'll dive deep into various historical periods and themes, and that means you’ll spend a ton of time grappling with complex ideas and arguments. It’s not necessarily harder than other liberal arts degrees, but it definitely requires good time management and a genuine interest in the material; if you love history and can stay on top of assignments, you’ll probably find it more enjoyable than overwhelming!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in History.
Looking at the career paths of these UC Berkeley history graduates, it’s a mixed bag when it comes to making decent money. For some, like the law graduates and those in tech, it seems they’re on a stronger financial trajectory, especially with positions like ‘Attorney’ and ‘Senior Software Engineer’ that usually come with good paychecks. Others, particularly those in education or nonprofit roles, might not be raking it in as much, especially if they're adjunct instructors or substitute teachers, which typically don’t pay as well. Overall, it looks like a few have found solid financial footing, while others might be living more modestly, doing work they love.
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 University of California, Berkeley). 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: