UC Santa Cruz reported on Mar. 12 that its humanities graduates are finding success in a wide range of fields, from engineering and entrepreneurship to media and community leadership. The university says these alumni demonstrate how skills developed through humanities studies—such as analysis, collaboration, writing, and adaptability—are valued across many industries.
The report underscores the importance of transferable skills gained through a humanities education. In an employment landscape where industries change rapidly and career paths are less predictable, UC Santa Cruz points to a recent job outlook survey indicating that employers seek strong problem-solving abilities, teamwork, and written communication—areas where humanities majors excel.
Several alumni shared their experiences applying these skills in their careers. Robert Alverson, who graduated with a history degree in 2009, now works as a test engineer at Pyka, building autonomous electric spray planes. “While a BA in history is an unlikely starting point for where I’ve ended up, the core values of inquiry, challenging assumptions, and supporting your arguments with evidence is a good place to come from for many roles,” Alverson said.
Katie Nealon (literature/creative writing, 2009) used her writing background to launch Folding Bones Press and manage operations at North Bay Letterpress Arts after working in digital marketing. She credits her communication expertise for helping her network during job searches: “I did learn through extensive job hunting that networking was essential, and my communication expertise aided in that,” she said.
Dillon Auyoung (linguistics, 1990), head of social responsibility at Comcast California, said his humanities education shaped every chapter of his career: “It taught me to understand the human experience: how people communicate, how systems are built, and how meaning is created.” Pierre Bienaimé (literature, 2010), now an audio producer at The Wall Street Journal, draws on analytical skills honed at UC Santa Cruz: “In literature classes we’re often examining a text’s conventions… In journalism, we’re doing much the same.”
Nazeerah Rashad (critical race and ethnic studies; global and community health), who directs musical theater for children at PlayCV while finishing her degree this year, emphasized the value of professional development resources offered by the Humanities Division: “I have a strong resume… I don’t think I would be nearly as prepared to search for work after graduation if I wasn’t a student of the Humanities Division,” Rashad said.
The stories highlight how foundational skills learned through humanities programs can open doors across sectors—including technology startups and nonprofit organizations—and help graduates adapt as workplaces evolve.
