First, some facts. Of the Psychology graduates from University of California, Davis 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 70 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 62%, Psychology graduates from University of California, Davis have a slightly lower likelihood (-5%) 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, 38% 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 Psychology graduate.
See the details:
Relevance score: 53%We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2010 from University of California, Davis with a Bachelors Degree in Psychology. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONChildren's Program DirectorHomeward Bound of Marin May 2012 - Mar 2014 Police Officer Santa Rosa Police Dept Mar 2014 - Mar 2015 Admissions Specialist Bayside Marin Treatment Center Mar 2015 - Mar 2017 Lead Admissions/UR Specialist Bayside Marin Treatment Center Mar 2017 - Sep 2018 Assistant Director of Admissions / UR Specialist Bayside Marin Treatment Center Sep 2018 - May 2021 Director Of Business Development Duffy's Napa Valley Rehab May 2021 - Apr 2022 Regional Business Development Manager Acadia Healthcare Apr 2022 - Dec 2023 Director of Special Projects Pura Vida Recovery Services Dec 2023 - Present FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGMaster's degreeArgosy University 2012 - 2013 ABOUTMy greatest pursuit in life is helping others. I've been truly fortunate to spend the last 15 years of my career serving my community in a variety of amazing jobs: From tutoring autistic children, to helping house the homeless, protecting my community as a police officer, and joining the fight against addiction - my passion for service has given me so many wonderful opportunities. The one thing I have learned from all of these various roles is that we are always stronger together and the key to making our world better is connection. This guiding belief has led me to my current position as Director of Special Projects for Pura Vida Recovery Services in Santa Rosa helping patients and families get sober and discovery joy in recovery. I couldnt be prouder of the work I do or the folks I work with! |
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 individuals who graduated with a Psychology degree from the University of California, Davis, there seems to be a mixed bag of job relevance to the field. Some alumni have landed roles that are directly aligned with psychology, while others have ventured into positions where their psychology knowledge isn't fundamentally leveraged. It's interesting to see how diverse the job landscapes can be for psychology graduates.
Common career choices among these alumni include roles like mental health counselors, social workers, and educators, where the application of psychological principles is clear. For instance, positions like an RN Case Manager and a Youth Advisor directly integrate psychological concepts into their daily responsibilities. On the flip side, there are also graduates who found themselves in roles like administrative assistants, sales associates, or in consultancy positions that largely revolve around business operations. In these instances, while they may employ some interpersonal or basic psychological skills, their jobs don't heavily draw on the expertise gained during their studies.
In summary, while many graduates find meaningful work that resonates with their psychology training, a significant proportion take on roles that don't fully utilize their knowledge. It's a solid reminder that a degree in psychology doesn't strictly lead to a specific type of job; rather, it opens doors to a variety of sectors, each with varying degrees of relevance to psychological principles. Ultimately, each graduate’s journey showcases the versatility of a psychology degree, even if the connection to their field of study isn't always clear-cut.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Psychology graduates (this is across all Psychology graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to University of California, Davis):
Analyzing the career trajectories of psychology graduates from the University of California, Davis reveals a mixed bag of outcomes. At first glance, those who graduated around 2010 seem to branch into a variety of fields related to their education, especially in mental health and social services. For instance, many have gone on to pursue roles in healthcare, such as case managers or social workers, while others have taken on positions directly related to psychology, like psychotherapists and research coordinators. These positions often require additional training or education beyond their undergraduate degree, which suggests a trend where graduates are building upon their initial education to create impactful careers within the psychological and social welfare arenas.
Looking five to ten years after graduation, many graduates from psychology programs seem to either remain in or transition into roles still aligned with their degree. Positions like admissions directors, research managers, and clinical psychologists indicate that these individuals are further developing their careers and taking on leadership roles within the mental health sector. Others, however, have taken more unexpected turns, venturing into education, business development, and even roles like winemaking or operations consultancy. This shows a bit of a scattershot outcome, with some graduates clearly thriving in psychology-related fields while others diverge into completely unrelated careers. It's important to recognize that the wide array of job titles suggests that while many graduates capitalize on their psychology degree, others may not have a direct connection to the field, leading to a portion of the cohort who may feel a disconnection from their training.
In summary, while the UC Davis psychology graduates often find roles that help them utilize their skills and education, there’s a significant portion who may end up in jobs that feel less relevant to what they studied. The first jobs generally align more closely with their degree, but as time goes on, there's a noticeable shift where some graduates choose to branch out. Whether successful in the field or moving onto other ventures, their paths reflect a diversity of experiences that can be both inspiring and cautionary for current students pondering their futures.
Honestly, getting a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at UC Davis, or really anywhere, can be a mixed bag. It’s definitely challenging because you’ll be diving into complex theories, research methods, and a fair bit of statistics, which can throw some people off. Classes can range from super engaging to kind of dry, depending on what you’re into. The coursework is often intense, especially if you're doing research projects or lab work, but if you enjoy the subject and stay organized, it’s totally manageable. Overall, I'd say it's on the tougher side compared to some other majors, but it really depends on your interests and how much effort you put in!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 2 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Psychology.
Based on the job histories of graduates from UC Davis, it seems that some have landed roles that probably pay pretty well, while others appear to be on a more modest income pathway. For instance, individuals working as RN Case Managers or Psychologists tend to earn decent salaries, often exceeding six figures, especially as they gain more experience. On the other hand, those in teaching or entry-level positions seem to earn less, often hovering around the lower end of the salary scale. Many in education-related roles typically start with salaries that are lower compared to healthcare or corporate positions.
Additionally, it’s fascinating to see the variety of career paths these graduates have taken. Some have moved into leadership roles and business development positions, which likely come with higher pay. Others, particularly those in non-profit work or entry-level roles in healthcare and education, might be making modest incomes. So, overall, it really depends on the specific fields and progressions. Those who ventured into healthcare or developed careers in corporate settings likely have better financial prospects than those who remained in teaching or service-oriented jobs.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Psychology (this is across all Psychology graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to University of California, Davis). This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Psychology (ordered by the average relevance score of their Psychology graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates: