What can you do with a International and Global Studies degree from University of California, Santa Barbara?

First, some facts. Of the International and Global Studies graduates from University of California, 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 11 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Bad. Overall, with an average relevance score of 41%, International and Global Studies graduates from University of California, Santa Barbara have a substantially lower likelihood (-26%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 41%
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, 36% 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 International and Global Studies graduate.

See the details:

View a random International and Global Studies graduate from University of California, Santa Barbara and our analysis:


Relevance score: 18%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2014 from University of California, Santa Barbara with a Bachelors Degree in International and Global Studies. Also pursued further education since (see below).

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Court Director/Secretary
Palisades Tennis Club
Jul 2014 - Jun 2016
As Court Director/Secretary at Palisades Tennis Club, while not directly related to International and Global Studies, some aspects of organizational and communication skills may be indirectly applicable.

Substitute Teacher
Huntington Beach City School District (HBCSD)
Jan 2016 - Feb 2017
The role of Substitute Teacher does not leverage the specific knowledge or skills from a degree in International and Global Studies, focusing instead on general education and teaching methodologies.

Head Volleyball Coach
Corona Del Mar High School
Sep 2021 - Present
The position of Head Volleyball Coach may involve elements of teamwork and leadership that could be tangentially related to international relations and cultural understanding, but it does not utilize core qualifications from the degree.

Elementary School Teacher
Saddleback Valley Unified School District
Aug 2017 - Present
As an Elementary School Teacher, the job does not require the specialized knowledge from a degree in International and Global Studies, centering more on educational pedagogy and child development.

FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATING
Teacher Education, Multiple Levels
California State University, Fullerton
2015 - 2016

Master's degree
Grand Canyon University
2019 - 2021
ABOUT

I am an Elementary Teacher at Saddleback Valley Unified School District and a Head Varsity Volleyball Coach at Corona Del Mar High School, with a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership and Administration and an Administrative Credential from Grand Canyon University. My passion is to create engaging and inclusive learning environments for students of diverse backgrounds and abilities, using various technologies and innovative pedagogies.As a Google Certified Educator, I have expertise in integrating Apple and Google products, virtual and augmented reality, and Thinking Maps into the curriculum, enhancing student engagement, collaboration, and creativity. I have also received multiple honors for my teaching excellence and leadership, such as Teacher of the Year, Top Ten Teacher of Orange County, and Gold Recognition for PBIS Schoolwide. In addition, I am a certified trainer in Gifted and Talented Education, Restorative Practices, and Universal Design for Learning, empowering my students to become critical thinkers, problem solvers, and global citizens, while fostering a culture of respect and equity in the classroom and on the court.

What jobs can you get with a International and Global Studies degree from University of California, Santa Barbara?

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 studied International and Global Studies at UCSB, it seems like a mixed bag in terms of job relevance. A lot of graduates went into fields like marketing, project management, and customer service. While some of these roles might have an international or global angle, a significant number don't directly tie back to the core skills and knowledge gained from the degree. For instance, many ended up in positions like office management or retail jobs, which focus more on business operations and less on global issues or international relations.

However, a few graduates did find roles that closely align with their studies. Jobs in content management, legal support for international law, and global operations management showcased a more direct application of their degree. These roles often involved understanding global markets, managing international projects, or engaging with diverse populations, thus using the analytical and cultural skills learned during their studies. Overall, while there are definitely examples of graduates pursuing relevant jobs, many seem to have drifted into areas that don't fully leverage what they studied, which is pretty common for liberal arts majors in general.

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 University of California, Santa Barbara):

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

Looking at the career trajectories of graduates from the University of California, Santa Barbara with degrees in International and Global Studies, it seems like there's quite a mixed bag going on. Many of these graduates have taken on roles that don’t directly align with their studies right out of school. For instance, some started in jobs like sales associates or office managers, which could be seen as stepping stones rather than dream roles in international relations or global studies. Over time, though, there’s a noticeable shift; a few make their way into more relevant positions, particularly in project management or communications. This suggests that while initial jobs might not be directly tied to their degree, many find their paths aligning with their interests as they gain experience and skills.

Fast forward five or ten years, and you can see a clearer picture emerge. Some graduates have successfully transitioned into higher-level roles in companies related to finance, content management, and even legal assistance, which suggest a positive outcome for those who stuck with it. However, it's also worth noting that there’s a fair number of people who have taken jobs that straddle various fields—not exactly international studies but skills that are transferable in a global context, like marketing and project management. This could mean that while the degree provides a solid background, the actual career paths can vary widely, sometimes straying far from what might have been anticipated. Overall, while a good chunk of graduates appear to be doing well, those who really find their calling in international and global studies may be fewer in number, navigating through diverse roles to get there.

How hard is a International and Global Studies degree from University of California, Santa Barbara?

So, when it comes to a Bachelor’s degree in International and Global Studies, especially at a school like UC Santa Barbara, it’s kind of a mixed bag. Generally speaking, it can be a bit challenging but not the hardest degree out there. You’ve got to dive into a lot of different topics like politics, economics, and culture, which means reading and writing a fair amount of papers. Plus, you might have some research projects and group work to juggle, which can be a lot depending on your schedule. That said, it's definitely manageable if you're organized and interested in the material. If you keep up with assignments and engage in discussions, it can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience, not exactly a walk in the park, but not a mountain to climb either!

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 University of California, Santa Barbara tend to make good money?

Looking at the career paths of these UC Santa Barbara grads, it seems like they've had pretty mixed financial outcomes. For instance, the Occupational Therapist likely pulls in a solid salary since healthcare professions are generally well-paid, while the English professor probably doesn't make as much, especially working abroad. On the flip side, many of the grads who landed jobs in tech and finance—like those at PayPal and Wells Fargo—are probably doing quite well for themselves, as those sectors tend to offer competitive salaries. However, others like the elementary school teacher or the various roles in sales and marketing might not be raking in the big bucks, especially starting out. So overall, while some definitely seem to be cashing in, others are likely earning more modest salaries. It all really depends on the specific job and field!

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 University of California, 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