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First, some facts. Of the Physics 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 12 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 83%, Physics graduates from University of California, Berkeley have a much higher likelihood (+16%) 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: 50% We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2016 from University of California, Berkeley with a Bachelors Degree in Physics. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONElementary School Teacher DC Scholars Community Schools Jul 2016 - Jun 2017 Special Education Teacher E.L. Haynes Public Charter School Jul 2017 - Aug 2019 Elementary School Teacher District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) Aug 2019 - Present FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGMaster of Science - MSJohns Hopkins University School of Education 2016 - 2018 ABOUTPassionate Educator, Self-Taught Artist, Life-Long Scientist |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
From the data I've sifted through, it seems that graduates with a degree in Physics from UC Berkeley have landed in a pretty diverse range of jobs. A significant number of them have secured positions in academia, particularly in research roles at universities like San Jose State University and Princeton, where they are using their physics knowledge on a daily basis. Others have found themselves at national labs, like Los Alamos and Berkeley Lab, where they're engaged in research that heavily relies on their physics background. So, if you’re thinking about that physics degree leading to a straight path towards research or teaching, you’d be right that those opportunities are definitely there!
However, it's also quite interesting to see that not all graduates have stuck to roles strictly related to physics. Positions like Project Assistant or Technical Recruiter show that a fair number have taken paths that, while they may have leveraged some of the analytical and problem-solving skills gained during their studies, aren’t directly tied to physics itself. Many of these roles are in management, teaching, or even engineering, where the connection to physics knowledge is more of a side benefit rather than the focus. So while a physics degree opens doors to a variety of careers, it doesn't always guarantee a straight shot into the field of physics itself. It’s a mix, really—some are diving deep into research, while others are branching out into different fields, using their skills in all sorts of ways.
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 University of California, Berkeley):
Graduates from the University of California, Berkeley with a degree in Physics seem to have a pretty diverse range of career trajectories. Many of them kick off their careers immediately after graduation in roles that are at least tangentially related to physics, like research positions, project assistants, or engineering roles. For instance, some alumni found themselves as Project Assistants or Research Associates shortly after graduating, which shows that a lot of them likely aimed to stay within academic or research settings, particularly in areas related to physical sciences or engineering. However, it's also visible that a handful may have veered off into roles that aren't directly related to physics, like teaching or even technical recruiting. This doesn't necessarily mean they're unhappy or unsuccessful; it just indicates that the physics degree can lead to a variety of fields.
Fast forward to about five to ten years post-graduation, and you can see a clearer split. A good number of graduates do land roles that are firmly planted within the physics domain—like becoming assistant professors or physicists at research labs and companies. Others, however, have transitioned into roles that seem a bit distanced from their initial study—like technical recruiting or even teaching. While some paths appear to have taken a route that strays from being physics-centric, it's important to recognize that many of these jobs also leverage critical skills gained during their degree. So, overall, while many have found rewarding careers within or related to physics, there’s also a sizeable number who have branched out into different areas, emphasizing the versatility of a physics degree from a prestigious institution like Berkeley.
Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Physics at UC Berkeley is definitely no walk in the park; it's considered one of the more challenging programs out there. The coursework is quite rigorous, with a heavy emphasis on problem-solving and a strong foundation in math and theoretical concepts. Expect to dive deep into things like mechanics, electromagnetism, and quantum physics, and you’ll have labs and projects to tackle, too. It’s definitely a bit more intense than your average degree, especially because Berkeley is known for its high academic standards and must-have curiosity. But, if you’re passionate about understanding how the universe works, that challenge can be totally worth it!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Physics.
Looking at these Physics graduates from UC Berkeley, it seems like they've landed some pretty decent jobs, especially considering the cool companies and academic institutions they're working for. The ones who went into academia, like the assistant professors and research fellows, likely have solid salaries and benefits, which is cool for a steady income. Others jumping into roles like Advanced Physicist at Honeywell or Energy Engineer are also on paths that usually pay well, especially as they gain experience. However, a couple of them took on more low-key roles right after graduation, like bartending or clerical jobs, which probably didn't pay that great initially. But overall, I'd say they're on track to make good money in their careers, especially given the elite nature of their alma mater!
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 University of California, Berkeley). 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 |