As you pick up new skills, learn modern concepts and collaborate in teams at UC Merced, you’ll discover what you’re capable of. We’ll foster those strengths and help you make valuable connections that will give you a competitive edge when you enter the job market or apply for graduate school.
Before Eduardo Savala Alvarez (’26) graduated, he received three job offers, with an average starting salary of $92,000 per year and an average signing bonus of $4,300. Ultimately, he accepted an offer from Clark Construction, where he will serve as a project engineer. He credits UC Merced for preparing him for a successful career in engineering.
I was able to go to my professors’ offices whenever I needed help, not just to talk about school but also to be given advice either on my career or personal life.
- Eduardo Savala Alvarez, '26, Modesto, CA, Civil and Environmental Engineering
get your name out there
Our Student Career Center brings in reps from companies like Yelp! and Google for info sessions, and takes students on trips to a variety of companies for tours. Plus, they offer résumé help, interview prep, graduate school exploration and more.
land an internship
UC Merced students have interned at Boeing, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Gamma Scientific, LEGO Robotics, Microsoft, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, NASA, Paypal, Sandia National Laboratories, Siemens Corp. and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, just to name a few. Find out more.
execute and pitch ideas
Software Engineering Capstone (formerly known as Mobile App Challenge) encourages UC Merced students to develop innovative software applications for today’s industry and societal needs. Find out more on our website.
get your name out there
Our Student Career Center brings in reps from companies like Yelp! and Google for info sessions, and takes students on trips to a variety of companies for tours. Plus, they offer résumé help, interview prep, graduate school exploration and more.
land an internship
UC Merced students have interned at Boeing, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Gamma Scientific, LEGO Robotics, Microsoft, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, NASA, Paypal, Sandia National Laboratories, Siemens Corp. and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, just to name a few. Find out more.
execute and pitch ideas
Software Engineering Capstone (formerly known as Mobile App Challenge) encourages UC Merced students to develop innovative software applications for today’s industry and societal needs. Find out more on our website.
4.2 years
First-Time Freshmen
average time to degree
2.3 years
Transfer Students
Forge a Path for your Future
1. From being a legislative intern to working full-time in the State Capitol! UC Merced alumna Ayeree Pipersburg (’23) jumpstarted her career in the political industry by participating in immersive programs and mobilizing. During her undergraduate career, Pipersburg participated in the both UC Sacramento and UCDC policy programs which led her to intern for the California Fair Political Practices Commission and the US House of Representatives under Congresswoman Kamalgar-Dove (CA-37). Pipersburg’s care for advocacy also led her to join the picket line against the University of California during the systemwide strike in 2022. For the past, two and a half years Pipersburg has been working for the California State Senate under Senator Henry Stern (SD-27). Last year, Pipersburg welcomed and led a policy seminar for UC Merced students that were in her same position less than two years ago. Her career in the Capitol could not have been possible without UC Merced; she hopes that programs like CAPE continue to transform the way students view politics.
gain real-world experience
Regardless of your major, you can learn to lead, advocate, make informed decisions and create social change while working in a national park in the Yosemite Leadership Program. Or earn a UC Merced bachelor’s degree and a teaching credential from UC Berkeley through CalTeach.
Want to pursue a career in medicine? Learn about our pre-health advising designed to help get you there!
collaborate on solutions
Through Engineering Service Learning, teams of undergraduate students in all majors work on real-world projects for nonprofit community partners. One past team helped get Merced County students excited about the sciences. Another, the Unmanned Aerial Systems Engineering Service Learning Team, used drones to detect illness in crops.
Forge a Path for your Future
In 2018, alumnus David Do '09 became the second alum to be named a keynote speaker for UC Merced's fall commencement ceremony. As a son of Vietnam War refugees, David arrived at UC Merced as a first-generation college student and was active in several clubs and director for ASUCM. David was also president of the Pre-Law Society and vice-president of community affairs for the African American Student Association, helping start the NAACP Youth Chapter. David's journey to Washington, D.C. began with an opportunity to participate as a member of the UCDC program - one that helped his professional growth. In 2015, David was appointed as director of the DC Mayor's Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs (MOAPIA), where he served the community for over four years. During his term, he led the team to improve quality of life for thousands of District Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders through his advocacy and engagement efforts. Today, David is the Commissioner and Chair of the New York City Taxi and Limousine Comission.
gain real-world experience
Regardless of your major, you can learn to lead, advocate, make informed decisions and create social change while working in a national park in the Yosemite Leadership Program. Or earn a UC Merced bachelor’s degree and a teaching credential from UC Berkeley through CalTeach.
Want to pursue a career in medicine? Learn about our pre-health advising designed to help get you there!
collaborate on solutions
Through Engineering Service Learning, teams of undergraduate students in all majors work on real-world projects for nonprofit community partners. One past team helped get Merced County students excited about the sciences. Another, the Unmanned Aerial Systems Engineering Service Learning Team, used drones to detect illness in crops.
88%
of UC Merced graduates are employed
a positive outlook after graduation
48%
are attending/have attended graduate, professional or technical school
our graduates
School of Engineering
RAHIM MOULANAZADA, '24
B.S. Civil Engineering
M.S. at CSU Sacramento (in progress)
Employer: Turner Construction Company in Sacramento
JOSEPH PRIESTER, '19
B.S. Mechanical Engineering
Employer: Electronics Technician for the US Department of Justice
JESSICA ANDERSON, '19
B.S. Mechanical Engineering
Employer: Manufacturing Engineer at Space X
School of Natural Sciences
MOSES LOPEZ, '25
B.S. Environmental Science
Employer: Field Biologist with Rincon Consultant
He was recently featured in the Spring 2026 issue of Vistas Magazine!
CALISTA LUM, '19
B.S. Physics
M.S. Physics from UCI
Currently Graduate Student Researcher pursuing a Ph.D. Physics from UCI
She’s interned four times at NASA! Read some of the research she conducted here!
EMMA McCORKLE, '12, '14
B.S. Earth Systems Science
M.S. Environmental Systems
Employer: Senior Environmental Scientist for State Water Resources Control Board
Check out her research publications here!
School of Social Sciences, Humanities and ARts
ROBIYE HERNANDEZ, '25
B.A. Economics and Management
Employer: Global Bank Investment at Bank of America in New York
CYDNEY CARADONNA, '19
B.A. Spanish
M.S. Higher Education Administration and Leadership from CSU, Fresno (’21)
Ph.D. Educational Leadership and Policy at University of Utah (’26)
Read her published poetry
TEMNEE WRIGHT, '12, '14
B.A. Political Science
J.D. from UC Hastings College of the Law (Renamed to UC San Francisco College of the Law) (’13)
Employer: Senior Commercial Counsel for Astera Labs in San Jose, semiconductor company that develops connectivity solutions for AI and cloud infrastructures
uc merced is #3 among U.S. Public universities
- Wall Street Journal Best Colleges in the U.S. 2026
