UC Santa Cruz reported on Mar. 12 that its humanities graduates are finding success in a variety of fields, demonstrating the value of skills developed through their studies. The university shared stories from alumni working in sectors such as technology, entrepreneurship, media, and community engagement.
The report emphasizes that humanities students graduate with abilities like analysis, synthesis, collaboration, writing, listening, and adaptability—skills that remain in demand even as job markets change. According to a recent job outlook survey referenced by the university, employers consistently seek candidates with strong problem-solving skills, teamwork experience, and effective written communication.
Robert Alverson, who graduated with a history degree in 2009, now works as a test engineer at Pyka. He said his background prepared him for technical challenges: “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.”
Katie Nealon (literature/creative writing, 2009) turned her passion for poetry into entrepreneurship as owner of Folding Bones Press and operations manager at North Bay Letterpress Arts. She credits her communication expertise for helping her navigate job hunting after graduating during a recession: “I did learn through extensive job hunting that networking was essential, and my communication expertise aided in that.”
Dillon Auyoung (linguistics, 1990), head of social responsibility at Comcast California, said his education shaped his approach to leadership: “My humanities education — especially studying linguistics — gave me a foundation that has shaped every chapter of my career.” Pierre Bienaimé (literature, 2010), now an audio producer at The Wall Street Journal, described how analytical skills from literature classes inform his journalism work: “In journalism…that element is put under even more focus: what’s the bigger picture?”
Nazeerah Rashad (critical race and ethnic studies; global and community health), currently directing musical theater for children at PlayCV while finishing her degree in 2025, said resources like the Employing Humanities initiative helped prepare her for professional life: “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.”
The university’s report suggests that foundational skills gained through humanities training can lead to diverse career opportunities beyond traditional academic paths.
