What can you do with a History degree from University of California, Berkeley?

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:

Average score: 25%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

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:

View a random History graduate from University of California, Berkeley and our analysis:


Relevance score: 6%

We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2016 from University of California, Berkeley with a Bachelor's degree in History. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Olympic Sports Operations
University of California, Berkeley
Feb 2017 - Feb 2018
The role in Olympic Sports Operations may involve aspects of organizational skills and history of sports, but it does not primarily require historical knowledge as a core qualification.

Arena Operations
Golden State Warriors
Aug 2017 - Aug 2018
Arena Operations for the Golden State Warriors does not necessitate historical knowledge or skills, focusing instead on venue management and event coordination.

Maps Operations Coordinator
Stubhub Tickets
Feb 2018 - Aug 2020
As a Maps Operations Coordinator at Stubhub Tickets, the job largely revolves around logistical operations unrelated to historical expertise.

Catalog Specialist
SeatGeek
Aug 2021 - Nov 2021
The Catalog Specialist role at SeatGeek involves organizational tasks that don't require historical knowledge or skills, thus making it irrelevant to the degree.

Operator
Chevron
Nov 2021 - Present
Working as an Operator at Chevron does not require any historical knowledge or skills, as it focuses on operational tasks specific to the energy sector.

ABOUT

Currently employed full-time. Always seeking progressive movement opportunities.

What jobs can you get with a History degree from University of California, Berkeley?

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):

What kind of career trajectories do History graduates from University of California, Berkeley have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

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.

How hard is a History degree from University of California, Berkeley?

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!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in History.

Do History graduates from University of California, Berkeley tend to make good money?

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.

What buzzwords do History graduates use to describe themselves?

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:

What are the best colleges for History?

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:

College Score Count
University of Connecticut 60 10
The University of Georgia 56 11
College of Charleston 54 10
Yale University 53 21
University of North Texas 52 21
University of Virginia 50 18
University of Pittsburgh 49 12
University of California, Santa Cruz 48 13
Rutgers University 48 10
Towson University 47 10
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 46 15
Binghamton University 46 10
University of Florida 45 23
Brigham Young University 45 15
Christopher Newport University 45 12
The University of Texas at Austin 44 16
University of Houston 44 19
San Francisco State University 44 17
Texas State University 44 11
The George Washington University 44 13
University of Washington 43 17
San Jose State University 43 12
Southern New Hampshire University 42 15
James Madison University 42 18
Louisiana State University 42 12
Texas Tech University 41 15
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo 41 12
Hillsdale College 40 10
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona 39 10
University of South Carolina 39 11
Texas A&M University 38 23
Florida State University 37 21
University of California, Los Angeles 37 37
North Carolina State University 37 14
University of Oregon 37 11
Northern Arizona University 36 10
University of Central Florida 35 24
Old Dominion University 34 10
Davidson College 34 11
West Chester University of Pennsylvania 33 10
Columbia College 33 13
University of Michigan 31 15
University of Nebraska at Omaha 31 11
Arizona State University 30 13
George Mason University 29 14
University of Mississippi 29 10
Virginia Commonwealth University 28 10
University of North Carolina at Charlotte 26 16
University of California, Berkeley 25 16
The Citadel 24 11
The Ohio State University 23 18
University of Arizona 23 13
Georgia State University 23 11
Michigan State University 20 11
University of South Florida 18 20
Ashford University 18 11
University of Kentucky 17 12
Virginia Military Institute 14 11