<p>Do any current or former students believe that UCSB attributed to their ability to find sucessful jobs out of college OR admittence into graduate school? Really does a UCSB education stand out OR is it lost because of the schools party reputation.</p>
<p>My worry is that my friends daughter just graduated from UCSB (Art History major so take that into account) but now is working at a hotess at a local resturant.</p>
<p>I would rather spend the next three years as a transfer student living at SB than living in LA at USC or UCLA. But I am concerned that the schools reputation will hurt my chances to find a job.</p>
<p>I think the only schools in the UC system in which you should have a serious concern over the school's reputation would be UC Riverside, UC Santa Cruz, and UC Merced. The other remaining top 6 schools in the UC system are all good to great. </p>
<p>If I had a choice to make between going to UCR, UCSC, and UCM vs. any of the local CSU's we have in CA, I would pick most any CSU's over those 3 UC's anyday. The reason is because although CSU's have no repuation whatsoever (besides Cal Poly of course), it does not have a negative stigma attached to it like UCR and UCSC. </p>
<p>UCM is still a brand new school relatively speaking, so I would think most employers would envision it as a school in its infancy still trying to develop all its programs. There's no way its young programs can compete with the top 6 UC's since it is still in its infancy. Maybe in another 20 years it can compete, but definitely not now.</p>
<p>I think your friend's daughter unsuccessful job search might be due to her major. I'm certainly no expert, but art history doesn't sound too promising a career. What field can you go into with such a degree anyways?</p>
<p>If your a successful student with good grades at any of the top 6 UC's, there's nothing to worry about. No one looks down on UCSB. It is a very respectable and good school. I would just worry about doing well in whatever school and major you end up going to.</p>
<p>My colleague's 2 sons went to UCR. One of them graduated with a 4 year full scholarship to U of Maryland grad. school. The other is waiting to hear from law schools and will probably get into a very good one. Some of the high school-aged posters do themselves and forum readers a disservice by dissing a college they may think is "below" them.</p>
<p>I am a UCSB alum--art history was my major. I've worked for a very famous world class designer, an award-winning architect, and know art history grads that are museum curators, gallery owners, production designers of motion pictures, costume designers, etc. Because my 3 teenagers were exposed to art movements and artists, they will hopefully express their well-rounded backgrounds on their college applications. It's a cycle of knowlege...</p>
<p>there are 2 types of majors in college; I'll call them vocational and liberal-arts. Vocational majors are things like engineering, accounting, etc. UCSB offers vocational majors like these and you can bet that recruiters are flocking to campus looking for those kids. The degree provides the training you need for the job market.</p>
<p>For kids in the other majors (sociology, art history, etc) just getting a college degree is usually not enough. Too many kids in these majors think that all they need is a college diploma and then they'll step right into a great job. They are mistaken if they think this, even if they go to UCLA or USC. While in college you need to spend time exploring careers and once you've made a decision on preparing yourself to enter it. Internships are incredibly valuable for creating a resume that stands out from the crowd. If you remember nothing else I've written, be sure to get an internship while in college. Two would be even better.</p>
<p>Major is separated from career, btw; just about any field is open to the liberal-arts grad if they take some steps while in college to prepare for it. An art history major could still join the marketing or advertising club, get internships and summer jobs in the field, etc. There is a great book that lays this out in more detail, called "Major in Success". Regardless of where you end up going to college I would recommend that you read thru this book.</p>
<p>For your own peace of mind you should ask what your friends D did in college to prepare for a career. Did she spend a few years visiting the career center to decide on a career? Take part in job-related clubs? Get internships or other career-related experience? My suspicion is she did not. BTW you write she is a restaurant "hotess". I know its a typo, but taken literally it does give intriguing ideas ;)</p>
<p>Pot is the first thing that comes to my mind, though I wasn't aware that it was viewed as negatively academically as Riverside and Merced. Still, I don't understand why any of the UCs would be viewed as "lower" than CSUs considering that you'd think that just by virtue of the "UC" they'd be viewed as academically better than any CSU.</p>
<p>Uhh... most adults I talk to about the reputations of the UCs say believe that the reputation of any UC school is superior that of any of the CSUs. After all, a UC is a UC. Also, I've never heard anyone compare UCSC to UCR.</p>
<p>I live only 20 minutes away from Santa Cruz. When locals here think of UCSC, first thing that comes to mind is weed, drugs, and hippies. Also, the recent suicide of their highly corrupt lesbian chancellor made their school's image sank even further.</p>
<p>"Still, I don't understand why any of the UCs would be viewed as "lower" than CSUs considering that you'd think that just by virtue of the "UC" they'd be viewed as academically better than any CSU."</p>
<p>This has been beaten to death I think, but here it goes. Many people view Cal Poly and SDSU as academically better than various UC's.</p>
<p>edit: Regarding the original post, I think UCSB is an exceptional university. It HAD a stigma in the 90's, but that has worn off. The quality of student at UCSB has grown exponentially.</p>