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First, some facts. Of the Sociology 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 23 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 65%, Sociology graduates from University of California, Santa Cruz have a slightly lower likelihood (-2%) 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, 52% 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: 76% We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2016 from University of California, Santa Cruz with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Sociology. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONRadio DJ KZSC Santa Cruz Jan 2016 - Jun 2016 Critical Engagement Mentor  Engaging Education, UCSC Aug 2016 - Aug 2016 Rise Up: Be Heard Fellow  Fusion, an ABC - Univision Joint-Venture Jan 2016 - Sep 2016 Academic Mentor Moving Forward Education Jan 2017 - May 2017 Production Manager San Francisco Examiner Jun 2017 - Nov 2019 Communications Manager Represent Justice Jan 2020 - Present ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
From the analysis of LinkedIn profiles for Sociology graduates from UC Santa Cruz, it's pretty clear that many of them have found themselves in jobs that closely align with their field of study, primarily in social services, counseling, and roles within the nonprofit sector. Positions like Clinical Social Worker, Social Work Intern, Family Counselor, and various roles in mental health and community support heavily rely on sociological principles, like understanding social dynamics, family systems, and community behavior. Graduates are often seen promoting mental well-being or working to improve educational and social services, showing that their sociology background provides valuable insights into their daily tasks and responsibilities.
However, not all jobs held by these graduates are directly related to sociology. Some of them have ventured into roles where sociology plays a minor role or is only tangentially relevant, such as marketing, administrative positions, or roles in health care that focus more on technical skills than on social theory. For instance, jobs like Payroll Compliance Auditor or Beauty Advisor don't necessarily tap into the core principles of sociology, focusing instead on roles that could be filled by graduates from any number of different fields. So, while many have successfully integrated their knowledge of sociology into their careers, others have found themselves in positions where the connection is much weaker. Overall, though, it seems that those who pursued social work or community engagement have been able to directly utilize their sociology education effectively in their careers.
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 University of California, Santa Cruz):
Looking at the career paths of Sociology graduates from UC Santa Cruz, it seems like there’s quite a mix. Many of the graduates start their careers in socially-oriented roles, like social work, counseling, and education. For example, several alumni took on positions as residential counselors, ESL teachers, and social workers shortly after graduation. These first jobs often align with their Sociology background, indicating an interest in helping people and understanding social systems. There’s a clear trend of individuals beginning in supportive roles that access community and mental health services, which makes sense given the emphasis on social issues in their studies.
However, as we look 5 to 10 years down the line, the picture starts to vary more widely. While some continue in relevant fields like social work or education, others seem to shift into roles that don’t directly relate to their degree—like marketing positions or project management in different industries. It's not uncommon for sociology majors to follow varied paths, including some who find themselves in creative or corporate roles. This suggests that while many have started strong in careers applicable to their studies, a fair share have branched out into different fields, which could be a positive thing or a sign of struggling to land the “ideal” sociology-related job. Overall, there's certainly potential for meaningful careers, but there's also evidence that the path can be winding and not always directly linked to their sociology roots.
A Bachelor’s degree in Sociology at UC Santa Cruz can be challenging, but it’s not one of the toughest degrees out there. You'll dive into some interesting topics about society, culture, and human behavior, and while the coursework involves a fair amount of reading, writing, and critical thinking, it’s generally manageable if you stay organized and motivated. Some classes might be more demanding than others, but for the most part, it’s about engaging with the material and applying it to real-world scenarios. If you’re someone who enjoys exploring ideas and discussing social issues, you’ll likely find it pretty engaging—and maybe even easier than some of the STEM majors! Just be ready to put in some effort, and you'll do fine.
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 2 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Sociology.
So, looking at the job history of these Sociology grads from UC Santa Cruz, it seems like some of them have landed decent positions while others are still kind of figuring things out. For instance, the folks who moved into more stable roles like "Clinical Social Worker" or "Creative Project Manager" at Pinterest likely pull in a solid salary, especially given the cost of living in California. However, others who are in entry-level positions or internships, especially if they’ve been part-time or per diem, might not be making a ton just yet. Overall, it looks like there's a mix—some are on a good trajectory for making decent money, while others seem to be still climbing the ladder. So, it kind of depends on each individual's path and how quickly they've been able to advance in their respective 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 Sociology (this is across all Sociology 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 Sociology (ordered by the average relevance score of their Sociology graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:
