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First, some facts. Of the Physics graduates from UC 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 12 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 81%, Physics graduates from UC Santa Barbara have a much higher likelihood (+14%) 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, 66% 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 Physics graduate.
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 2016 from UC Santa Barbara with a Bachelor of Science - BS in Physics. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONPhysics and Chemistry Teacher Santa Barbara High School Aug 2017 - Present FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGMaster of Education - MEdUniversity of California, Santa Barbara 2016 - 2017 ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
People who graduated with a Physics degree from UC Santa Barbara have pursued a variety of careers, but there seems to be a mix when it comes to how directly related these jobs are to their field of study. Many have gone into roles that leverage their physics knowledge, like Graduate Research Assistants and Planetarium Presenters. These positions require a solid understanding of physics concepts and allow individuals to apply the skills they gained during their studies. For example, working as a Planetarium Presenter not only involves discussing astronomical principles, but it also engages the public with fascinating science content, which is pretty cool and aligned with their background.
On the flip side, there's a noticeable trend of graduates ending up in jobs that aren't directly related to physics, like various engineering and data analyst roles. While these jobs do utilize analytical and problem-solving skills honed through physics education, they often lean more toward tech and software than experimental or theoretical physics itself. In some cases, positions such as Office Manager or Technical Support Specialist are quite far removed from the physics discipline. Overall, it seems like having a degree in Physics from UCSB opens various doors, but the connection to the core principles of physics varies significantly between the roles these graduates take on.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Physics graduates (this is across all Physics graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to UC Santa Barbara):
From what I can see, graduates from UC Santa Barbara’s Physics program tend to land some pretty fascinating and relevant jobs after they finish school. Early career paths often lead them into roles like Research Assistants or Junior Specialists, where they continue to dive deeper into physics while developing valuable research skills. For example, some have secured positions in prestigious institutions like Cornell and Northwestern right after graduation. It seems like many of them use their foundational knowledge to explore further studies or research roles, especially in the years right after graduation, which is a solid choice if they're looking to specialize or eventually teach. On the flip side, some have ventured into areas like teaching or even the tech sector, showing a bit of versatility in how they apply their physics background.
As time goes on, about five to ten years after graduating, you see a mix of trajectories. While some continue climbing the academic ladder, taking on postdoctoral roles or advancing in research positions, others have transitioned into the tech industry, working as Data Engineers or Software Engineers. This shift showcases the versatility of a physics degree, allowing graduates to pivot into high-demand fields like technology. However, it's notable that not everyone stays directly tied to physics. Some graduates end up in roles that might seem a bit tangential, like working in museums or as office managers. That said, many of them do find promising careers that leverage their physics expertise, indicating that a degree in physics from UCSB can lead to a range of career opportunities, both within and outside traditional physics careers.
Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Physics, whether at UC Santa Barbara or elsewhere, can be pretty challenging. It involves a lot of heavy math and complex concepts, like quantum mechanics and electromagnetism, which can be a real brain workout. UCSB has a solid reputation, so you can expect a rigorous curriculum with top-notch professors, which is awesome but also means you’ll be pushed to your limits. It’s not impossible by any means—you just need to be prepared to put in the time and effort, especially if you want to grasp everything thoroughly. If you love the subject and are willing to tackle the hard stuff, it can be a rewarding ride!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Physics.
Looking at the job paths of these UC Santa Barbara physics grads, it seems like they’ve carved out decent careers, though the actual pay can vary quite a bit depending on the specific roles they took. For instance, some folks started in less lucrative positions like teaching or research assistant roles before moving into better-paying tech jobs, especially those who became software engineers or data scientists, which usually pay pretty well in the tech industry. Even those in academic or research-focused jobs might not be rolling in it compared to their tech counterparts, but they’re still likely making a solid living, especially with advanced degrees. All in all, it seems like they've found their niches and, generally speaking, are doing alright financially!
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Physics (this is across all Physics graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to UC Santa Barbara). This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Physics (ordered by the average relevance score of their Physics graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:
| College | Score | Count |
|---|---|---|
 University of California, Berkeley
|
83 | 12 |
 UC Santa Barbara
|
81 | 12 |
 University of California, Los Angeles
|
79 | 10 |
 The University of Texas at Austin
|
66 | 24 |
 University of Washington
|
55 | 14 |