What can you do with a Public Health degree from UC Irvine?

First, some facts. Of the Public Health graduates from UC Irvine 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 24 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? On par with the average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 67%, Public Health graduates from UC Irvine have about the same likelihood of finding work in this field as the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 67%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, only 33% 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 a Bachelors degree is enough for most Public Health graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random Public Health graduate from UC Irvine and our analysis:


Relevance score: 50%

We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2020 from UC Irvine with a Bachelor of Science - BS in Public Health. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Intern
UC Irvine Eye Mobile for Children
Jan 2020 - Mar 2020
The internship at UC Irvine Eye Mobile for Children involves public health outreach which is somewhat related to public health, but does not require specific public health expertise on a daily basis.

ABOUT

Graduated in 2020 with a Bachelors of Science in Public Health Sciences at UC Irvine. Current graduate student pursuing a Doctor of Optometry at Southern California College of Optometry.

What jobs can you get with a Public Health degree from UC Irvine?

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


When looking at the job paths of UC Irvine Public Health grads, there's definitely a mix, but some common themes pop up. Many graduates took roles in healthcare settings like Community Health Workers, Mental Health Case Managers, and various positions related to patient care and health initiatives. These jobs often tie back to the principles of public health, emphasizing community health, disease prevention, and health resources management. It's clear that some of the roles directly apply the skills learned in their degree, especially in jobs that focus on advocacy or direct patient interaction.

However, not all the positions are on point with the public health field. You can see that some graduates found themselves in pretty disconnected roles, like receptionists or administrative assistants, where the link to public health concepts is minimal. In fact, a good number of grads ended up in roles that might only tangentially relate to their educational background. While it seems there are plenty of opportunities that align well with a Public Health degree, it’s also evident that not everyone is using their degree in a way that maximizes its potential relevance. Overall, it’s a mixed bag, reflecting both the versatility of a public health degree and the variety of job markets out there!

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Public Health graduates (this is across all Public Health graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to UC Irvine):

What kind of career trajectories do Public Health graduates from UC Irvine have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

The career trajectories for graduates of Public Health from UC Irvine show a mix of pathways that can be both promising and a bit scattered. Many graduates tend to land their first jobs in positions like interns, administrative roles, or community outreach roles soon after graduation. For instance, those who graduated around 2011 and 2012 started in internships and accompanied roles like community liaison and administrative assistant, which can be typical stepping stones for gaining experience in the field. These early jobs often have a connection to public health, but some graduates drift toward unrelated fields, like customer service or administration, indicating a struggle to find roles directly aligned with their degree right off the bat.

As time passes—about 5 to 10 years later—some graduates do find themselves in more relevant positions within healthcare and public health sectors. For instance, a few individuals transitioned to roles as community health workers, case managers, and even more specialized roles in healthcare facilities or nonprofits. However, it's clear that there is also a number who have veered away from traditional public health roles or worked in non-health-related environments, like financial management and administration. Overall, while there's a valuable segment of graduates who carve out solid public health careers, others seem to be navigating various roles that may not utilize their degrees fully. So, if you're pursuing this path, be prepared for diverse opportunities—and possibly a winding road to find a niche that truly resonates with your public health aspirations!

How hard is a Public Health degree from UC Irvine?

Getting a Bachelor's degree in Public Health, especially at a school like UC Irvine, can definitely be challenging, but it's not the hardest degree out there. You’ll dive into subjects like epidemiology, environmental health, and health policy, which can be pretty intense, especially with the amount of reading and critical thinking involved. That said, if you're passionate about health and community issues, it can be really interesting and rewarding. Many students find the coursework manageable, especially if they stay organized and engaged. So, while it's not a walk in the park, it's definitely doable if you're committed and put in the effort!

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 Public Health.

Do Public Health graduates from UC Irvine tend to make good money?

Alright, so looking at these UC Irvine Public Health grads, it seems like the money vibes are pretty mixed across the board. A few of them have snagged positions that likely pay decently, like the ones in healthcare management or the Human Resources Manager role, which probably comes with a decent paycheck. But others have jobs that seem more entry-level or service-oriented, like being a receptionist or a pharmacy technician, which usually don’t pay as much. Plus, several recent grads are still in internships or early-career roles, so they're still climbing the ladder. Overall, it doesn't look like they're all rolling in cash, but a few are on a solid path towards making good money down the line.

What buzzwords do Public Health 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 Public Health (this is across all Public Health graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to UC Irvine). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Public Health?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Public Health (ordered by the average relevance score of their Public Health graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count
Wayne State University 94 13
California State University-Los Angeles 80 12
University of Florida 78 10
Brigham Young University 77 20
University of Houston 77 17
San Diego State University 77 13
Tulane University 77 21
Temple University 76 17
Rutgers University 76 21
The University of Texas at Austin 75 12
University of California, Berkeley 74 32
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania 74 16
Syracuse University 73 10
Northern Illinois University 72 15
Rutgers UniversityNew Brunswick 72 11
Southern Connecticut State University 72 17
University of North Carolina Wilmington 72 13
The University of Texas at San Antonio 70 20
The Johns Hopkins University 69 17
University of South Carolina 68 42
University of Kentucky 67 12
UC Irvine 67 24
University of Massachusetts, Amherst 67 13
Brigham Young University - Idaho 66 21
University of North Carolina at Greensboro 66 10
University of Massachusetts Amherst 66 20
University of South Carolina-Columbia 66 10
University of Washington 65 27
University of South Florida 64 59
Northern Arizona University 64 22
Eastern Kentucky University 64 11
University of Arizona 63 33
California State University, Northridge 63 14
San Jose State University 62 24
College of Charleston 62 14
The Ohio State University 61 13
San Francisco State University 61 11
East Carolina University 61 28
California State University, Fullerton 61 13
University of Nevada, Reno 61 19
Montclair State University 60 10
University of North Florida 58 13
University of North Carolina at Charlotte 57 11
Texas A&M University 56 16
California State University, Los Angeles 56 10
Kent State University 51 15
University of Arkansas 51 10
Oregon State University 44 17