First, some facts. Of the Psychology graduates from University of California, Santa Cruz 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 52 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 66%, Psychology graduates from University of California, Santa Cruz have a slightly lower likelihood (-1%) 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, 42% 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: 70%We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2020 from University of California, Santa Cruz with a Bachelor of Arts - BA in Psychology. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONWPA Program CoordinatorSTEPHANIE YOUNG CONSULTANTS, INC. Jun 2020 - Jul 2023 MFT Trainee Center for Community Counseling & Engagement Aug 2022 - Jul 2023 MFT Trainee License to Freedom May 2023 - Present FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGMaster of Science - MSSan Diego State University 2022 - 2024 ABOUTHello! I am a recent graduate from San Diego State University from the MS Marriage and Family Therapy Program. During this time, I completed my traineeship at License to Freedom working with immigrant/refugee individuals and families, predominantly from the Middle Eastern diaspora. Ive supported individuals, couples, families, and groups who have experienced domestic violence and/or are in court-mandated contexts; as well as supported clients in healing within their stories of immigration as they are confronted with U.S. cultural systems. I currently use narrative, collaborative, and solution-focused modalities in my work; guided by ethics of care and generating sustainable change. I am a values-driven professional with a passion for building relationships and dissolving problems. I invite you to reach out if you are interested in connecting, and I look forward to hearing from you! You can reach me at [EMAIL REMOVED] or on LinkedIn. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
After analyzing a diverse range of LinkedIn profiles belonging to graduates with a Psychology degree from the University of California, Santa Cruz, it's clear that people have taken on a variety of job roles post-graduation. The most common types of jobs seem to fall into sectors like human resources, education, healthcare, and mental health services. Many graduates also found their way into roles related to community service and support, often touching on psychological principles in their day-to-day functions.
When we dive deeper into the relevance of these jobs to psychology, we notice a pattern. While many positions like restaurant servers, clerical assistants, and retail roles don't require specific psychological knowledge or skills, there are numerous instances where graduates do engage directly with psychological concepts. For instance, roles such as Case Managers, Occupational Therapists, and Mental Health Counselors clearly utilize psychological principles as these jobs require understanding human behavior and supporting mental health. It's a bit of a mixed bag; while some graduates have landed in careers that may not directly apply their acquired knowledge from their psychology studies, many others found paths that are intrinsically linked to their training and offer fulfilling opportunities to use their understanding of psychological concepts in real-world scenarios.
In conclusion, the job landscape for Psychology graduates from UCSC is quite varied. While a significant number of roles may not leverage their degree in a direct manner, there's a strong representation of careers that do. Whether in mental health, education, or corporate environments, many individuals have carved out niches that allow them to apply their knowledge of psychology. This reflects a blend of both connection and divergence in their career paths. So, as you consider your own future, think about where your passions lie and how they align with your degree—there's a space for psychology in many unexpected places!
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, Santa Cruz):
So, you’re curious about what people who graduated with a Psychology degree from the University of California, Santa Cruz have been up to after college? Well, let’s take a look at some common career paths and trajectories. It's a mixed bag, but overall, a lot of graduates seem to find their way into fields that are somewhat related to psychology, although not always in the most direct way. From teaching and therapy roles to positions in human resources and even more niche areas like behavioral therapy, there’s a broad spectrum of job positions represented by these alumni.
Right after graduating, many of these psychology grads often land entry-level jobs that might not directly utilize their degree but still relate to human interaction and care. For instance, roles like Patient Care Coordinator, Case Manager, or even something like a Lead Server (yes, hospitality can include important skills!) are common first jobs. It seems that these positions often serve as stepping stones, allowing grads to gain experience in a professional environment involving communication and support, which are key elements in psychology. This could be quite sensible, as tackling jobs that involve interacting with people is a natural fit for a psychology background.
Fast forward five or ten years, and it appears that many graduates transition into more specialized roles within healthcare or education. For instance, several alumni have become licensed therapists, physical therapists, or even advanced practitioners in behavioral analysis. Some have even taken on leadership roles in educational or counseling settings, demonstrating a clear link back to their psychology roots. Others have pivoted into fields like human resources, which, while not strictly psychological, still draws heavily on understanding and managing human behavior in professional contexts. However, it’s important to note that there are also some paths that seem less aligned with the core of psychology, particularly in industries like retail or restaurant management.
To wrap it up, it looks like UC Santa Cruz psychology grads have a variety of outcomes. While many find fulfilling careers that tie back to their studies, there is certainly a share of graduates who take on jobs that seem only tangentially related. Overall, it’s encouraging to see that a good number of alumni are able to carve out meaningful careers, especially in fields that involve continuous personal interaction and support. So, if you’re considering a psychology degree, know that while the path may not always be straightforward, it can lead to some very rewarding opportunities.
Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at UC Santa Cruz isn’t a walk in the park, but it’s not ridiculously hard either—it's pretty much on par with what you'd expect for a standard psych program. You'll dive into some fascinating topics and learn a lot about human behavior, which is super interesting, but don’t underestimate the workload. There are plenty of readings, research assignments, and exams that can keep you on your toes. It’s definitely challenging, especially if you want to really grasp the material and maintain a good GPA, but if you’re genuinely interested in psychology, you might find it more enjoyable than tough. So, if you’re passionate about the subject, and you keep up with the work, you’ll probably do just fine!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Psychology.
Looking at the career paths of these UC Santa Cruz psychology grads, it seems like they’ve had a mixed bag in terms of salary. Many of them started out in entry-level or related roles, like servers or assistants, which typically don’t pay that great. However, as they gained experience and advanced into positions in areas like human resources, physical therapy, and specialized therapy roles, their earnings likely increased. Positions like “Staff Services Manager” or “Physical Therapist” can offer salaries that range from decent to really good, especially in California, where many of these grads are based.
That said, some of the more education-focused roles, especially in teaching or counseling, might not offer as lucrative a salary initially but could still provide fulfilling career paths. For instance, teachers and therapists often start on the lower end of the pay scale but can find opportunities for growth over time. Overall, while not everyone may be rolling in it, many have carved out solid careers that seem to offer paths to decent earnings, especially those who have moved into more specialized or managerial roles in their fields.
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, Santa Cruz). 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: