What can you do with a International and Global Studies degree from UC Santa Barbara?

First, some facts. Of the International and Global Studies 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 14 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 49%, International and Global Studies graduates from UC Santa Barbara have a much lower likelihood (-18%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 49%
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, only 21% 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 International and Global Studies graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random International and Global Studies graduate from UC Santa Barbara and our analysis:


Relevance score: 39%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2011 from UC Santa Barbara with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in International and Global Studies. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Interior Design Assistant
Wendy Posard & Associates Architecture and Interior Design
Dec 2011 - May 2012
The role of Interior Design Assistant does not require knowledge in International and Global Studies, as it primarily focuses on design and aesthetics rather than international studies.

Sales & Marketing Coordinator
The Event Team
May 2012 - Jul 2014
The Sales & Marketing Coordinator position does not necessitate any specific skills or knowledge from International and Global Studies and is instead centered on marketing and sales strategies.

Account Manager
White Lotus Event Productions
Jul 2014 - Dec 2015
The Account Manager role may involve some understanding of cultural awareness valuable in international contexts, but it does not directly focus on the core qualifications derived from International and Global Studies.

Account Manager
Destination Concepts inc
Jan 2016 - Jun 2016
The Account Manager position at Destination Concepts may utilize some skills related to global awareness but does not directly apply the core knowledge of International and Global Studies.

Senior Designer
Destination Concepts inc
Jun 2016 - Oct 2018
As a Senior Designer, there may be elements of market or cultural understanding involved, but the primary focus is on design rather than the principles of International and Global Studies.

Account Executive
360 Destination Group
Oct 2018 - Feb 2021
The Account Executive role could benefit from an understanding of global markets, yet the everyday responsibilities are more rooted in sales and account management than in international studies.

Director, Business Development
Destination PROS
Feb 2021 - Mar 2023
The Director of Business Development could leverage knowledge from International and Global Studies in understanding global markets, but the job primarily revolves around business strategy and development unrelated to the degree.

Account Executive
Destination Concepts inc
Apr 2023 - Present
The Account Executive position at Destination Concepts may utilize some aspects of international awareness depending on clientele, but is largely focused on account management and does not apply International and Global Studies directly.

ABOUT

Proficient in Spanish, MS Office Suite, Social Tables

What jobs can you get with a International and Global Studies degree from UC Santa Barbara?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


Analyzing the diverse career paths of those with a degree in International and Global Studies from UC Santa Barbara, it seems that many graduates find themselves in roles that aren’t directly linked to their field of study. A lot of the positions indicated—such as office manager, sales associate, or even account executive—are more focused on administrative, marketing, or managerial tasks. While some roles might touch on cultural awareness or global issues, they seem to lack a strong connection to the core principles and specialized skills developed through an International and Global Studies program.

That being said, there are definitely exceptions. Some positions, like those of Community Education Associate or Coordinator of Food & Housing Security, show that graduates can leverage their education in meaningful ways, particularly in roles that emphasize cultural sensitivity or engage with global issues. Overall, it looks like while the degree provides valuable knowledge and perspectives, many graduates end up in jobs where they may not be using this knowledge on a daily basis. It's a bit of a mixed bag, really—some align closely with the degree, while others don't seem to require it at all.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for International and Global Studies graduates (this is across all International and Global Studies graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to UC Santa Barbara):

What kind of career trajectories do International and Global Studies graduates from UC Santa Barbara have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

Graduates from the International and Global Studies program at UC Santa Barbara seem to have diverse career trajectories. Right after graduating, many of them often find themselves in entry-level positions that don't strictly align with their field of study. For example, early roles include office management, account management, and various administrative positions. Over time, some graduates manage to pivot into roles that have more relevance to their degree, such as positions in project management, community education, and even business development. However, a noticeable number appear to be working in fields unrelated to global studies, particularly in sales, customer service, and design.

When looking at graduates five to ten years down the road, there’s a mix of success stories and those who seem to have meandered into less relevant domains. Some individuals take on significant roles in organizations related to development, consulting, and community outreach, while others remain in administrative or support roles that don't leverage the skills they acquired during their studies. It's clear that while some graduates find fulfillment in careers that align closely with International and Global Studies, others may feel a disconnect, indicating a varied spectrum of outcomes. Overall, it's a mixed bag—there are opportunities for meaningful careers, but some may find themselves in roles that don’t quite fit the bill.

How hard is a International and Global Studies degree from UC Santa Barbara?

Getting a Bachelor’s degree in International and Global Studies at UC Santa Barbara can be pretty challenging, but it's not the most difficult path out there. You’ll dive into a mix of subjects like politics, economics, culture, and languages, so there's a lot to juggle. It’s definitely a step up from high school, especially if you're not used to the reading and critical thinking involved. That said, if you have a genuine interest in global issues and enjoy exploring different cultures, it can also be really rewarding and engaging. Just stay organized and keep up with your assignments, and you'll likely find it manageable!

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 International and Global Studies.

Do International and Global Studies graduates from UC Santa Barbara tend to make good money?

Looking at the job trajectories of these UC Santa Barbara International and Global Studies grads, it’s a mixed bag when it comes to making decent money. Some, like the grads who moved into project management or director roles, seem to be climbing the ladder and likely earning pretty well, which is awesome! However, others are in more entry-level or support roles that usually don’t pay as much, especially those in counseling and care positions, which can sometimes be lower-paid, depending on the organization. Overall, while some are definitely raking it in, others are probably just getting by, so it really depends on the specific path each person has taken after graduation.

What buzzwords do International and Global Studies 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 International and Global Studies (this is across all International and Global Studies graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to UC Santa Barbara). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for International and Global Studies?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in International and Global Studies (ordered by the average relevance score of their International and Global Studies graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count
American University 67 16
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 61 13
UC Santa Barbara 49 14
University of Utah 46 10
University of California, Santa Barbara 41 11