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First, some facts. Of the Sociology graduates from UC Santa Barbara 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 40 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Bad. Overall, with an average relevance score of 46%, Sociology graduates from UC Santa Barbara have a substantially lower likelihood (-21%) 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, only 22% 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 Sociology graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.
See the details:
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Relevance score: 39% We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2013 from UC Santa Barbara with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Sociology. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONTalent Agent Calvin Group Feb 2017 - Jul 2017 Server  Au Lac Restaurant Jan 2015 - Dec 2017 Salon Manager The Cosmo Studio Jan 2016 - Mar 2018 Co-Founder  AZLO Lashes Jan 2016 - Jan 2022 Manager ISMOKE LLC Oct 2021 - May 2023 Salon Manager Pink Petals Nail Spa May 2023 - Oct 2023 Executive Assistant Colossal Management, LLC Oct 2023 - May 2024 Fashion Model The Young Agency Oct 2022 - Present ABOUTAt Colossal Management, our team specializes in logistics and creating unforgettable VIP experiences. My role, focused on inventory management and client relations, utilizes my SEO skills to enhance our brand's online visibility, ensuring operational excellence in every facet. Transitioning between the realms of fashion and business, my work as a Fashion Model with The Young Agency celebrates my Vietnamese heritage and adds a unique perspective to our endeavors. My involvement in start-up leadership and packaging design infuses a distinctive creativity into our strategic projects. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
After analyzing the job paths of grads from UC Santa Barbara who studied Sociology, it's clear that many of them have ventured into roles that are not directly related to their major. A big chunk of them ended up in sales or administrative positions, like Account Executives or Customer Success Managers, where the focus is primarily on sales strategy and client management rather than applying sociological theories. While these jobs might require some people skills, they don't really leverage the deep sociological insights these graduates gained during their studies.
On the flip side, there are also several grads taking on roles where their sociology background truly shines—important positions in schools, counseling, and community services. Positions like a School Counselor or a Community Counselor utilize an understanding of social dynamics and support systems, showing how sociology can be used to tackle real-world issues, like youth development and mental health. So, while many have strayed into less relevant jobs, there's a solid group that has managed to leverage their degree in meaningful ways that make a difference in communities and educational settings.
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 Santa Barbara):
Alright, so if we take a look at what UC Santa Barbara Sociology grads are doing with their degrees, the picture is pretty mixed. It seems that a lot of them are starting out with jobs in the education and support sectors, like teaching or working in youth services. A bunch also dive into roles in sales and marketing, particularly in tech companies, which might seem a bit unexpected for a sociology major, but it reflects how versatile the degree can be. Those early jobs often seem to serve as stepping stones; many graduates hold positions that involve helping others or managing relationships, which ties back to their sociology roots.
Fast forward five years, and you'll notice that many of these grads have moved into more specialized positions. Some are working in human resources, program management, or in direct counseling roles, especially in the mental health sector, which aligns well with their sociology training. After a decade, we see a pretty good mix of success stories where graduates have climbed the corporate ladder into leadership roles or have found their niche in social work and community engagement positions. On the flip side, there are also those who seem stuck in administrative or sales roles that don’t fully utilize their sociology education. Overall, it looks like many UCSB sociology grads are carving out meaningful careers, but it’s a bit of a mixed bag! Some definitely flourish, while others take some roundabout paths to find what truly fits their skills and passions.
Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology at UC Santa Barbara can be a bit of a mixed bag. It’s not usually considered one of the hardest degrees out there, but it does require a solid amount of reading, writing, and critical thinking. You’ll dive into various topics about society, culture, and human behavior, which can be really fascinating, but also pretty dense at times. The workload can be manageable if you stay on top of your assignments and engage in discussions, but there will be challenging research papers and projects that can feel a bit overwhelming. Overall, if you have a genuine interest in understanding people and social systems, it can actually be a rewarding experience, though not exactly a walk in the park.
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 UC Santa Barbara sociology grads, it seems like there's quite a range in how much money they're making, and honestly, many of them are probably not raking in the big bucks right off the bat. For instance, some early-career positions like server or assistant roles suggest they're starting out on the lower end of the salary scale, while others who moved into tech or management roles, especially at companies like LinkedIn and AppFolio, could be doing pretty well. Overall, it looks like they’ve landed a mix of stable jobs and some that might not offer great salaries initially, but the ones who have moved into more established companies and roles later on could be earning decent incomes now. So, while some are probably doing fine, others might still be figuring things out financially.
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 Santa Barbara). 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:
