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First, some facts. Of the Sociology 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 15 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 64%, Sociology graduates from UC Irvine have a slightly lower likelihood (-3%) 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, 40% 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 Sociology 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 2015 from UC Irvine with a Bachelor of Arts - BA in Sociology. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONPhysical Therapy Aide Progressive Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sep 2016 - Aug 2017 Pharmacy Technician Extern San Francisco Veterans Affairs Hospital Jan 2022 - May 2022 FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGPharmacy Technician CertificateCity College of San Francisco 2021 - 2022 ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
Looking through the job profiles of UC Irvine sociology grads, it seems like many of them found positions in the social services and healthcare sectors. Roles like social workers, therapists, and service coordinators are pretty common, which is great because those jobs heavily lean on the principles and knowledge they gained from their sociology studies. For instance, positions such as Licensed Clinical Social Workers and Psychiatric Social Workers obviously connect directly to sociology themes around human behavior and societal challenges. There's a clear link here—these jobs not only fit well with their degree but also allow them to apply sociology in real-world settings to help people and communities.
On the other hand, there are quite a few graduates who took paths that don’t directly relate to sociology. Some ended up in marketing, legal assistance, and even retail, where the connection to their studies isn't as strong. For example, a Marketing Director might touch on sociology through consumer behavior, but it’s not like they’re everyday diving into sociological theories. It’s a mixed bag overall—while many grads are making good use of their sociology background in relevant fields, others have ventured into areas that don't demand that specific knowledge on a regular basis. So, while there are definitely solid connections to sociology in many cases, it seems like not all graduates are landing jobs that utilize what they learned in school on a daily basis.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Sociology graduates (this is across all Sociology graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to UC Irvine):
When you look at graduates from UC Irvine with a degree in Sociology, it seems like their career paths can be pretty diverse, especially depending on when they graduated. For many, their first jobs out of college are often in service or support roles—like marketing, social work, or legal assistance. These initial positions seem to set a foundation where they can build their skills and networks. For instance, someone graduating in 2011 started as a coach and later became a service coordinator for children and families, which definitely aligns with sociology’s focus on social structures and human behavior.
As for where they are five or ten years down the line, you see a mix, but many end up in roles that utilize their sociological training. Some graduates pursue advanced degrees or specialized certifications, such as becoming licensed clinical social workers or professionals in research roles. However, not everyone sticks to the sociological path; some find themselves in unrelated fields like retail or general administrative positions. Overall, while a good number of these graduates land solid roles related to their studies, there's also a significant portion navigating jobs that might not directly connect with their Sociology degree. It’s a mixed bag, but there are definitely stories of success and meaningful careers intertwined with sociology along the way!
A Bachelor's degree in Sociology, like the one at UC Irvine, can be pretty challenging but not overly so—it's kind of average in difficulty compared to other majors. You'll dive into a lot of interesting topics about society, culture, and human behavior, which can be really engaging if you enjoy those subjects. Expect to do a fair amount of reading, write essays, and maybe work on research projects, but it’s not usually as intense as STEM majors. If you're someone who likes to think critically and discuss big ideas, you might find it more interesting than hard. Overall, if you stay organized and keep up with the coursework, it’s definitely manageable!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Sociology.
Looking at the job histories of these sociology graduates from UC Irvine, it seems like they’ve had a pretty mixed bag when it comes to their earnings. For instance, the Marketing Director and people working in healthcare or social services might be earning decent salaries, especially with roles like Licensed Clinical Social Worker or Project Coordinator at the NFL – those positions usually pay better. However, many others, especially in entry-level roles like interns or customer service positions, might not be raking in the big bucks just yet. The ones in paralegal or administrative roles could do alright, but it seems like some are still working their way up in industries that don’t always pay top dollar, like retail or non-profits. Overall, while some of these grads are likely making good money, others might still be in the early stages of their careers trying to find their financial footing.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Sociology (this is across all Sociology graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to UC Irvine). This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Sociology (ordered by the average relevance score of their Sociology graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:
