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First, some facts. Of the Materials Engineering graduates from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo 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? Slightly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 71%, Materials Engineering graduates from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo have a slightly higher likelihood (+4%) 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 Materials Engineering graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.
See the details:
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Relevance score: 100% We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2013 from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo with a Masters of Science/Bachelors of Science in Materials Engineering. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONHardware Development Engineer Apple Jul 2014 - Sep 2023 ABOUTNo information provided. |
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 graduates from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo who majored in Materials Engineering, a mix of relevant and less relevant roles emerges. Many of the positions occupy a spectrum of engineering roles—like Hardware Development Engineer, Materials And Process Engineer, and Senior Spacecraft Mechanical Engineer—that directly apply materials engineering expertise. These jobs showcase how critical knowledge in materials is essential for innovative design and problem-solving in high-tech environments. For instance, graduates working in aerospace or development roles tend to leverage their specialized training to address real-world challenges involving materials selection and application.
However, there are also quite a few instances where graduates have opted for roles that aren't closely tied to their degree, such as Sales Business Development Manager or Logistics Officer. These positions lean more towards business, management, or operational focuses, which can diminish the relevance of their materials engineering backgrounds. Overall, while graduates do find themselves in solid engineering roles that utilize their expertise, there's a noticeable trend of some taking paths that drift away from the technical aspects of materials engineering, emphasizing the broader versatility of the degree rather than its strict application in specialized fields.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Materials Engineering graduates (this is across all Materials Engineering graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo):
It looks like graduates from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo who studied Materials Engineering generally have solid career trajectories that stay pretty relevant to their field. For many of them, the first job out of college tends to be in engineering roles that are directly related to materials or product development. For instance, those who graduated in the early 2010s started off as Product Engineers, Research and Development Engineers, or Hardware Development Engineers at well-known companies like Apple and Safran, which indicates that they landed roles that utilized their education effectively right from the get-go.
As we look five to ten years down the road, many of these graduates have advanced into higher positions, such as business development managers and senior engineers, showing some good upward mobility. A good number transitioned into specialized roles, like Materials and Process Engineers, or even took on more strategic responsibilities in their companies. While there may be a few diversions into roles that seem more tangential, like in logistics or sales, most graduates seem to stick close to their engineering roots and continue contributing to the aerospace, tech, and manufacturing sectors, reflecting overall positive career growth and relevance to their degrees.
Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Materials Engineering at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo can be a pretty intense experience, to be honest. It’s generally considered a challenging program, as you'll dive deep into subjects like thermodynamics, materials science, and solid mechanics, plus a bunch of lab work, which can sometimes feel overwhelming. While it’s definitely doable with the right mindset and study habits, the workload can be heavy, so you'll want to be prepared to spend a lot of time in the books and on projects. If you're really passionate about the subject and ready to put in the effort, though, it can also be super rewarding!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Materials Engineering.
It looks like the Materials Engineering graduates from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo have been doing pretty well career-wise, and they’re likely making decent money. Many of them have landed jobs at reputable companies like Apple, Northrop Grumman, and Safran, which typically offer competitive salaries, especially for engineers. The progression from roles like engineer to management positions shows they’re climbing the career ladder too, making their earning potential even higher as they gain experience. Plus, with some of these folks starting off in solid intern roles and quickly moving up, it suggests they’re in a good spot in an industry that values skilled engineers. So yeah, if you're looking at a career in materials engineering, it seems like a good way to earn a nice paycheck!
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Materials Engineering (this is across all Materials Engineering graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo). This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Materials Engineering (ordered by the average relevance score of their Materials Engineering graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:
| College | Score | Count |
|---|---|---|
 California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
|
71 | 10 |