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First, some facts. Of the Sociology graduates from UCLA 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 11 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Bad. Overall, with an average relevance score of 43%, Sociology graduates from UCLA have a substantially lower likelihood (-24%) 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, 45% 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: 82% We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2012 from UCLA with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Sociology. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONV-Source Lead Program Recruiter Edboost Learning Center Jan 2012 - Nov 2012 VSource College Advisor Edboost Learning Center Mar 2012 - Jun 2014 Postsecondary Readiness Leadership (Promoted 4 times in 5 Years) Alliance College-Ready Public Schools Mar 2014 - Aug 2019 Consultant  Self-employed Aug 2019 - Apr 2021 Design and Development Fellow Harvard University Graduate School of Education Oct 2020 - May 2021 Manager, Education to Work Partnerships Foundation for California Community Colleges Jun 2021 - Present FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGMaster of Education - Ed.MHarvard University Graduate School of Education 2019 - 2020 ABOUTPassionate and experienced leader with a strong commitment to education equity, economic mobility, and empowering traditionally marginalized communities. With over 9 years of demonstrated experience in postsecondary readiness and success, I have dedicated my career to driving impactful change in the field and want to continue to further my impact in transforming lives and dismantling systems of inequity.I possess a deep understanding of the unique challenges these communities face and have spearheaded initiatives to dismantle barriers to equal opportunity through systemic change. My experience in program design and implementation, technical assistance, strategy development, curriculum development, team management, partnership management, policy implementation, and best practice sharing equips me with a well-rounded skill set to lead transformative initiatives. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
The most common jobs that UCLA Sociology graduates have taken up seem to be in administrative or support roles, especially in fields like education, legal institutions, and various corporate sectors. Positions such as Administrative Officers, Talent Acquisition Coordinators, and even Substitute Teachers frequently appear in their profiles. While some roles offer a slight chance to apply sociological knowledge—like understanding team dynamics or engaging with diverse populations—many of these positions are largely administrative in nature. This means they often don’t require the specific skills or insights developed through a Sociology degree.
Overall, the relevance of their jobs to Sociology really varies. Some positions—like Investigative Law Intern and roles in education—tend to align well with sociological principles because they directly involve social contexts or community engagement. However, many other jobs, especially in administrative and sales capacities, don't utilize sociology skills in a significant way. It's clear that while a Sociology degree provides valuable skills in analysis and understanding of social dynamics, it doesn’t always translate directly into the job market for all graduates. Many find themselves in roles that, while beneficial, don’t fully leverage their sociological training.
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 UCLA):
Looking at these career trajectories for Sociology grads from UCLA, it seems like there’s a mixed bag. For many, the first jobs out of college are often administrative or coordinator roles, like administrative assistants or office managers. There’s a trend where graduates start in positions that don’t scream "Sociology," which suggests that while they may have a strong foundation in the subject, they often branch out into more general roles focusing on operations or employees, especially in startups or tech companies. For example, one graduate went from an administrative officer to a talent acquisition manager, showing a possible shift toward human resources and organizational culture over time.
As you look five to ten years out, there's definitely some graduates advancing in their careers, particularly in HR or education. Positions like “postsecondary readiness leadership,” “judicial assistant,” and various roles in community engagement stand out as areas where their sociology background likely comes into play. However, it’s also worth noting some folks end up in roles that strays quite far from their degree. We see graduates involved in sales or even as substitute teachers, which may not fully utilize their sociology training. Overall, while some have carved out solid paths directly related to their studies, many appear to land in more general positions that may not tap into their sociology expertise right away, making the job market somewhat inconsistent for these graduates.
Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology at UCLA can be a bit of a mixed bag. It's not necessarily super easy or impossibly hard, but it does require a good amount of commitment and critical thinking. You'll dive into topics like social behavior, culture, and inequality, which can be really interesting, but also pretty complex. The workload typically includes a mix of lectures, readings, and papers, so you'll need to stay organized and keep up with your assignments. Some students find the discussions and projects engaging, while others might feel overwhelmed at times. Overall, if you're curious about the world and willing to put in the effort, you’ll likely find a way to manage it, but it’s definitely not a walk in the park either!
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 paths of these Sociology graduates from UCLA, it seems like their earning potential varies quite a bit. The earlier grads, like the ones from 2010 and 2011, started with administrative roles and gradually moved into more specialized positions in talent acquisition, which could lead to decent salaries, especially as they gain experience. However, the career trajectory of those graduating more recently, like the 2023 grad who's mostly doing substitute teaching and model work, might not be raking in the big bucks just yet. Generally, it seems some of these folks are likely making a solid living, especially those who’ve leveled up into managerial or specialized roles, while others are still finding their footing in lower-paying gigs. So, it’s a mixed bag overall!
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 UCLA). 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:
