What can you do with a International Relations and Affairs degree from University of California, Davis?

First, some facts. Of the International Relations and Affairs graduates from University of California, Davis 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? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 50%, International Relations and Affairs graduates from University of California, Davis have a much lower likelihood (-17%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 50%
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, 45% 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 Relations and Affairs graduate.

See the details:

View a random International Relations and Affairs graduate from University of California, Davis and our analysis:


Relevance score: 0%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2011 from University of California, Davis with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in International Relations and Affairs. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Construction Laborer / Carpenter
CLP Resources
Apr 2014 - Sep 2015
The role of Construction Laborer/Carpenter does not require any specific skills or knowledge related to International Relations, focusing instead on physical labor and carpentry skills.

Audio Visual Technician
Golden Star Technology Inc (GST)
Sep 2015 - Feb 2016
The position of Audio Visual Technician at Golden Star Technology Inc does not utilize any core qualifications from a degree in International Relations, as it primarily involves technical skills related to audio and visual equipment.

Audio Visual Technician
On Target (OT)
Feb 2016 - Jun 2017
Similarly, working as an Audio Visual Technician at On Target does not involve the application of knowledge or skills from the field of International Relations.

Audio Visual Technician
First Impulse, Inc.
Jan 2017 - Aug 2017
The job of Audio Visual Technician at First Impulse, Inc is unrelated to International Relations, focusing instead on technical aspects unrelated to the major.

Audio Visual Technician
Pinnacle Audio Visual Limited
Sep 2017 - May 2018
The role of Audio Visual Technician at Pinnacle Audio Visual Limited does not require skills relevant to International Relations, centering instead on technical audiovisual competencies.

Audio Visual Technician
Avidex
May 2018 - Dec 2018
Being an Audio Visual Technician at Avidex has no relation to the knowledge or skills gained from a degree in International Relations, as it is mainly focused on technical execution.

S&C Installer
IBEW Local 332
Dec 2018 - Present
The position of S&C Installer at IBEW Local 332 does not require qualifications or knowledge from International Relations, as it focuses on skilled electrical work and installation.

ABOUT

Multi-talented construction worker with a journeyman level of experience in Audio/visual installation. Self-starter, team player, and above all a quick learner. Looking for a long term position where I can grow my skills while providing superior service to clients - making use of my technology, communications and customer service skills. Adems, soy bilinge y puedo comunicar bastante bien en espaol.

What jobs can you get with a International Relations and Affairs degree from University of California, Davis?

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


From the analysis of job titles held by graduates with a degree in International Relations and Affairs from UC Davis, it seems like there's a real mixed bag when it comes to the relevance of their jobs to their studies. A sizable portion of them have taken on roles that are pretty disconnected from the core skills or knowledge you’d expect from an International Relations program. Many have ended up in technical fields like audio-visual technology or administrative positions that focus more on operational tasks rather than engaging with global issues, diplomacy, or political strategies. For instance, being a construction laborer or an audio-visual technician doesn't tap into that international insight and diplomatic know-how you’d think they’d be using in the workforce. If you look closely, a lot of these jobs revolve around customer service, technical skills, or administrative support.

However, there are still noteworthy exceptions that highlight the versatility of an International Relations degree. Some graduates have found their way into roles that truly resonate with their academic background, like working as consultants in political strategy, supporting human rights investigations, or coordinating international health initiatives. These positions allow them to leverage the analytical, negotiation, and strategic thinking skills they developed during their studies. Ultimately, while many grads have landed in jobs that don’t fully utilize their degree, there are certainly those among them who are making a direct impact in fields closely aligned with international relations, which shows that the degree can serve various career paths beyond what one might initially expect.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for International Relations and Affairs graduates (this is across all International Relations and Affairs graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to University of California, Davis):

What kind of career trajectories do International Relations and Affairs graduates from University of California, Davis have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

It looks like graduates with a degree in International Relations and Affairs from UC Davis have had pretty diverse career paths since leaving school. When you look at their first jobs after graduation, many of them started off in roles that, to be honest, don’t seem directly connected to their field of study. For instance, some took positions as audio-visual technicians or administrative assistants, while others ended up in roles like substitute teachers or even carpenters. These initial jobs might not reflect their degrees exactly, which can be a reality for many recent grads trying to break into the job market.

Fast forward five or ten years, and it appears that some graduates did find their footing in more relevant careers, especially those who transitioned into roles like paralegals or project coordinators. We also see some individuals moving into public service and non-profit sectors, which often overlap with international relations work, but it’s a mixed bag overall. While there are definitely some success stories where graduates linked back into their field, it seems like a significant number ended up in roles that, while respectable, don’t have that direct connection to international relations or affairs. So, it’s a bit of a mixed picture—some graduates really thrived, while others have had to pivot into various unrelated occupations. It’s a good reminder that the path after college can be winding and isn’t always straightforward!

How hard is a International Relations and Affairs degree from University of California, Davis?

Hey there! So, a Bachelor's degree in International Relations and Affairs, whether at UC Davis or somewhere else, tends to be pretty challenging, but not impossible. You'll be diving into a lot of complex topics, like global politics, economics, and cultural studies, so if you're someone who enjoys reading, writing, and discussing big ideas, you might find it engaging. UC Davis has a solid program that emphasizes critical thinking and understanding global issues, which means you'll probably face some rigorous coursework and have to stay on top of your assignments. Overall, it's about average in terms of difficulty—you'll have to put in the effort, but if you're passionate about international affairs, it can be really rewarding!

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 Relations and Affairs.

Do International Relations and Affairs graduates from University of California, Davis tend to make good money?

It seems like the graduates from UC Davis have had a pretty mixed bag when it comes to their earnings. Some, like those in tech and legal positions, have likely made decent money, especially in roles like litigation paralegal or account executive, which generally pay well. On the flip side, a few have started in lower-paying jobs like construction or receptionist roles, which likely didn’t provide the best salaries. Overall, it looks like many have climbed higher over time, but there are definitely some who might still be struggling to make good money in the fields they chose, especially right after graduation. So, while some of these folks might be doing well, others could still be working their way up the financial ladder.

What buzzwords do International Relations and Affairs 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 Relations and Affairs (this is across all International Relations and Affairs graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to University of California, Davis). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for International Relations and Affairs?

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

College Score Count
The George Washington University 70 36
American University 64 21
Boston University 63 12
The University of Georgia 56 21
University of Southern California 56 13
James Madison University 53 11
University of California, Davis 50 11
University of Colorado Boulder 49 16
Florida International University 47 36
Florida State University 45 29