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First, some facts. Of the Legal Studies graduates from University of California, Santa Cruz 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 10 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 49%, Legal Studies graduates from University of California, Santa Cruz have a much lower likelihood (-18%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
Also, after graduating, only 30% 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 Legal Studies graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.
See the details:
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Relevance score: 78% We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2017 from University of California, Santa Cruz with a Bachelor of Arts - BA in Legal Studies. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONLegal Administrative Assistant Pointer Law Inc. Aug 2017 - Jul 2019 Executive Support Analyst  Accenture Jul 2019 - Jul 2022 Senior Associate Frank, Rimerman + Co. LLP Aug 2022 - Present ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When checking out the job profiles of University of California, Santa Cruz graduates who studied Legal Studies, a mix of jobs pops up, with many of them leaning away from traditional legal roles. Common positions include interns and assistants in legal contexts—like Legal Interns, Legal Assistants, and Administrative roles within law firms. These jobs often tap into the knowledge gained during their studies and allow them to apply their legal skills. However, there are also a surprising number of graduates who ended up in totally unrelated fields, like retail, food service, and even film production. Positions such as Acquisitions Coordinator or Product Manager at various companies highlight how some graduates moved into business roles that, while possibly needing some legal awareness, don't truly engage with the heart of their Legal Studies education.
Overall, while it's great to see a good number of grads find jobs that directly use their legal knowledge, a significant chunk of alumni have gravitated toward positions far removed from law. Many roles they pursued, like those in customer service or administrative support, might utilize general skills but lack the legal depth that the degree is known for. So, if someone is hitting the books in Legal Studies, they should definitely consider how they want to use those skills in the long run, because there are plenty of opportunities out there that actually relate back to what they learned in school!
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, Santa Cruz):
When looking at the career paths of graduates from the Legal Studies program at the University of California, Santa Cruz, it’s clear that there’s quite a mix. Many fresh graduates seem to initially land roles that stray a bit from direct legal practices, like working as sales associates, hotel concierges, or in administrative positions. However, those who stick with it and pursue legal internships or assistant roles often see more relevant and upward-trending career trajectories. For instance, over time, several alumni have transitioned into roles like law clerks and even associate attorneys, which are pretty promising positions within the legal field.
Fast-forwarding five to ten years, we see a split among these graduates. Some have moved into higher legal roles, like Executive Support Analysts or Senior Associates at law firms, pointing to a pathway that aligns nicely with their studies. But there are also others who’ve taken unexpected turns, like becoming product managers or taking on roles in totally different industries, such as the arts or business management. This shows that while there’s potential for a solid legal career for some, many don’t end up in law-related fields, which might leave them feeling like they've veered off course. So, while there are definitely successful stories linked to legal careers, not everyone sticks to that path, and that's something to keep in mind!
Alright, so here’s the deal with a Bachelor’s degree in Legal Studies at UC Santa Cruz: it’s not exactly a walk in the park, but it’s not as brutal as some may think. You’ll dive into lots of reading and critical thinking about laws, ethics, and the justice system, which can definitely get challenging, especially if writing essays isn't your strong suit. Some classes might push you to think really deeply and engage in debates, but if you’re passionate about the subject, that makes it a lot easier. Overall, I’d say it's about average in terms of difficulty—manageable if you stay on top of your work and genuinely enjoy the material!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Legal Studies.
Looking at the job paths of these UC Santa Cruz Legal Studies grads, it seems like there’s a pretty big mix in terms of how much money they're making. The first graduate started with solid positions that likely boosted their income over time, especially with roles like VP and President at Gathr Films, which probably pays decently well. However, others, particularly those who jumped around in retail or entry-level roles before landing legal positions, might not be raking in the big bucks just yet. Jobs like line cook and barista indicate they may have struggled financially, while recent grads still in internships aren't likely earning much at all. Overall, while some are probably doing pretty well, others are still figuring it out, so it’s a mixed bag when it comes to their earnings!
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, Santa Cruz). This may or may not be useful:
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 |