What can you do with a Physics degree from University of California, Los Angeles?

First, some facts. Of the Physics graduates from University of California, Los Angeles 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 above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 79%, Physics graduates from University of California, Los Angeles have a much higher likelihood (+12%) 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.

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Also, after graduating, 80% 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:

• What jobs can you get with a Physics degree from University of California, Los Angeles?
• What do Physics graduates from University of California, Los Angeles do 1, 5 or 10 years out?
• How hard is a Physics degree from University of California, Los Angeles? How long does it take?
• How much money can you make with a Physics degree from University of California, Los Angeles?
• What are the best colleges for Physics?

View a random Physics graduate from University of California, Los Angeles and our analysis:

Relevance score: 100% We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree. DEGREE INFO Graduated in 2019 from University of California, Los Angeles with a Bachelor's degree in Physics. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION Summer Student Intern NASA Glenn Research Center Jun 2019 - Sep 2019 The Summer Student Intern position at NASA Glenn Research Center directly involves applying principles of physics and related knowledge, making it highly relevant to the Bachelor's degree in Physics. High Energy Density Physics Summer Student Intern Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory May 2020 - Aug 2020 The High Energy Density Physics Summer Student Intern role at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory utilizes advanced physics concepts and techniques, which are directly applicable to the individual's degree in Physics. ABOUT Most of my research and lab experience has revolved around programming, using computing to numerically model physical systems and using computing to acquire and analyze data from hardware. I am particularly interested in renewable energy, atmospheric science, nuclear physics, and the programming applications to these fields.

What jobs can you get with a Physics degree from University of California, Los Angeles?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:

• Business Development Manager
• Research Associate
• Research Assistant
• Research And Development Engineer
• Research Intern
• Consulting Researcher
• Course Grader
• Undergraduate Summer Researcher
• Executive Director and Founder
• Postdoctoral Scholar

From my analysis of LinkedIn profiles of individuals who graduated with a Physics degree from UCLA, it seems the most common jobs are centered around research and applications of physics principles. Many of these graduates have taken roles as researchers or postdoctoral fellows in various institutions, such as universities and national laboratories. For instance, positions like Research Associate, Consulting Researcher, and even quantum mechanics-focused jobs highlight a strong link to their physics background. These roles not only require a deep understanding of physics but also involve its practical application, showing that these graduates are effectively using their knowledge in relevant fields.

However, there are also a fair number of graduates who have veered off the strict physics path into roles that seem less relevant. Positions such as Executive Director of a music festival or Business Development Manager reflect a mix of interests and skills that don’t directly relate to physics. Although some might have applied skills related to physics in indirect ways, these transitions indicate that not all physics graduates end up in roles strictly focused on their field of study. Overall, while a significant portion of these graduates work in roles directly related to physics, there's a notable diversity in career paths taken, showing both the versatility and breadth of opportunities available to someone with a physics degree.

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, Los Angeles):

What kind of career trajectories do Physics graduates from University of California, Los Angeles have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

It looks like graduates from UCLA's Physics program have some pretty solid career trajectories ahead of them! Many of the recent alumni tend to kick off their careers with research-related positions, whether that's working as a research assistant, intern, or even in roles at notable institutions like NASA and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. It seems like the first job after graduation often revolves around gaining hands-on experience in research, with a significant number of graduates pursuing postdoctoral positions or roles in laboratories after they've finished their degrees. This indicates that a lot of them are sticking to the academic or research track, which is a great way to build expertise in their field.

Fast forwarding five to ten years, many of these alumni have landed roles that still involve physics, whether in research, engineering, or even education, like teaching. Some have shifted into more industrial roles, like business development or engineering with companies such as HP and Microsoft, which shows that there's some versatility to a physics degree. Overall, it seems that UCLA Physics grads generally are finding themselves in respectable positions that are related to their field, whether that be in academia, government research, or even private industry. It’s encouraging to see that they’re not only sticking to physics-related careers but also branching out into different areas while still leveraging their strong physics background.

How hard is a Physics degree from University of California, Los Angeles?

Pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Physics, especially at a competitive school like UCLA, can be pretty challenging. You’re diving into complex topics like quantum mechanics, electromagnetism, and relativity, which can be pretty mind-bending initially. The coursework usually involves a good mix of theory and practical labs, so you’ll be doing a lot of problem-solving and critical thinking, which can be tough if you’re not super into the math side of things. However, if you’ve got a passion for the subject and are ready to put in the effort, it can also be really rewarding. It’s definitely on the harder side compared to many other degrees, but if you’re excited about physics, the struggle might just be part of the fun!

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 Physics.

Do Physics graduates from University of California, Los Angeles tend to make good money?

So, based on the job histories of these UCLA physics grads, it seems like they've mostly landed decent gigs, especially in research and tech, which can pay pretty well. The graduates from 2010 onwards seem to have some pretty solid positions, often as researchers or in business roles, and many have gone on to postdoc positions—which typically come with a good amount of experience and pay. The ones involved in business development, especially at tech companies like Microsoft, are likely making good money, too. Those who started as teachers might not be raking in as much, but it's still a respectable job. Overall, it looks like most of them are either doing well or are on their way to earning decent salaries, even if some might take a bit longer to get to that sweet spot.

What buzzwords do Physics 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 Physics (this is across all Physics graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to University of California, Los Angeles). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Physics?

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