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

First, some facts. Of the Legal Studies 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 15 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? On par with the average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 67%, Legal Studies graduates from University of California, Berkeley have about the same likelihood of finding work in this field as the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 67%
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, 46% 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 Legal Studies graduate.

See the details:

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


Relevance score: 60%

We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2020 from University of California, Berkeley with a Bachelor of Arts - BA in Legal Studies. Also pursued further education since (see below).

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Property Ambassador/Supervisor
L&L Holding Company
Jun 2020 - Dec 2020
The role of Property Ambassador/Supervisor may involve skills related to interpersonal communication and understanding legal aspects of property, but it does not directly require the core qualifications from a Legal Studies degree.

Program and Marketing Manager
Grandy
Feb 2020 - Jan 2021
As a Program and Marketing Manager, the job primarily focuses on marketing strategies and program management, which are not directly related to legal studies, lacking significant utilization of related skills.

Sales Support Coordinator
Bridge Furniture and Props
Jan 2021 - Jun 2021
The position of Sales Support Coordinator does not engage with legal principles or knowledge relevant to a Legal Studies degree, focusing instead on sales operations and support.

Legal Administrator
TRITEC Real Estate Company, Inc.
Jun 2021 - Aug 2023
The role of Legal Administrator directly requires the application of legal knowledge and skills acquired through a Legal Studies degree, making it highly relevant and applicable on a daily basis.

FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATING
Business Law Certificate
Cornell University
2022 - 2022

Doctor of Law - JD
Penn State Dickinson Law
2023 - 2026
ABOUT

Experienced Program Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the consumer services industry. Skilled in Brand Ambassadorship, Teamwork, Leadership, Social Media, and Public Speaking. Strong business development professional with a Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies from the University of California, Berkeley.

What jobs can you get with a Legal Studies 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 job paths of graduates from the University of California, Berkeley with a degree in Legal Studies, there seems to be a pretty big mix. Many have gone into roles that are directly tied to the legal field, like being paralegals, attorneys, or legal assistants. These positions definitely make use of what they learned in their Legal Studies program, focusing on legal analysis, research, and understanding of the law, which suggests that they are quite relevant to their degrees. For instance, several graduates have taken roles as associate attorneys or legal externs, which directly apply their education and training in legal principles.

However, there's also a noticeable number of graduates who have strayed quite a bit from direct legal work. Some have taken on roles like service engineers, project managers, or even athletes, which don’t really leverage their legal education at all. While you can see a few transferable skills here and there, most of these positions don’t require the kind of legal knowledge that a Legal Studies degree provides. So, while many graduates have found meaningful roles in the legal field, there's a fair amount of variation, and not every job fits squarely within the realm of legal studies. Overall, it seems that a significant number are indeed using their degree in relevant ways, but a good chunk are applying their skills in completely different fields.

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

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

Graduates with a degree in Legal Studies from UC Berkeley have tended to embark on a variety of career paths, with many landing initial roles that are directly or indirectly related to the legal field. For instance, many students fresh out of college have secured positions as legal assistants, paralegals, or have interned at law firms and district courts. This trend suggests that for their first jobs after graduation, these individuals often seek out opportunities that allow them to gain practical experience in the legal realm, which is crucial for building a solid foundation in law and may also facilitate their entry into law school if they choose to pursue that route.

As we look five to ten years down the line, the trajectories become more diverse. Some graduates have successfully transitioned into roles as attorneys after completing law school, while others have carved out careers in related fields such as policy analysis, project management, or education. However, it’s worth noting that not all graduates stay in the legal sector; for example, some have pursued careers in areas like construction and even athletics. Overall, while there are solid accomplishments among these graduates, indicating a strong start in legal careers for some, there are also many who have diversified into unrelated fields. This suggests that while a degree in Legal Studies sets a robust groundwork, it doesn't necessarily confine graduates to traditional legal roles, allowing for a broader range of career possibilities.

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

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Legal Studies can be pretty challenging, especially at a tough school like UC Berkeley. It’s not just about reading a bunch of legal texts; you’ll dive into critical thinking, analyzing complex cases, and understanding a lot of theoretical concepts. The coursework often involves a fair amount of writing and research, which can be demanding if you're not a fan of those things. But, hey, it can be really interesting if you're into law and justice! It’s definitely not the easiest degree out there, but if you’re passionate about the subject, it can be a rewarding experience despite the hard work. Just be ready to keep up with the reading and stay engaged in discussions!

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 Legal Studies.

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

Looking at the career trajectories of these UC Berkeley Legal Studies grads, it seems like they've found a mix of decent paychecks and some career jumps that could lead to better earnings down the road. The grad who moved from being a Service Engineer at Microsoft is likely making good money now, given the tech industry's reputation for solid salaries. Others, like those who have become associate attorneys, probably started with respectable salaries, considering the law field generally offers good pay, especially as they gain more experience. However, some recent grads are still kinda in the early stages, with roles like legal assistants and fellows, which might not bring in the big bucks just yet. Overall, while there’s a nice range among them, many will likely see their earnings climb as they progress in their careers!

What buzzwords do Legal 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 Legal Studies (this is across all Legal Studies 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 Legal Studies?

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

College Score Count
University of Central Florida 70 34
University of California, Berkeley 67 15
Grand Valley State University 67 10
Florida Gulf Coast University 67 10
St. John's University 63 16
Kaplan University 50 11
University of California, Santa Cruz 49 10