Does UCSD have name recognition in all parts of the country? Are you using your degree in your current position? Do you think a degree from UCSD has "legs" outside of California?
Ann McGee, prospective UCSD student

Alum: Cynthia Ruiz, '84 UCSD Major: Sociology, Muir College

Does UCSD have name recognition in all parts of the country? 
Yes, it does have recognition, especially among my fellow alumni spread out all over the country.  In my opinion, I believe there is more recognition in the medical/science field and possibly in the visual arts area at this time in the East Coast.  Once our Business School gets going, I believe there will be recognition in the finance/business area.  Some people in the East Coast get a little hung up on the "private" school thing, but when it comes to actually performing your job, whether you went to a private or public university doesn't matter at that point.

Are you using your degree in your current position?  
Absolutely!  I was a Sociology major and I obtained my Legal Assistant Certificate so I could be one step above a regular undergrad.  In every job I have held after graduating, I have used all of the skills I learned from my major, such as interviewing skills, analyzing situations/culture/subcultures, etc. I work on a trading floor and you have to learn about the different subcultures of each area of the investment firm.  I worked with the Legal Dept, Credit Dept., Traders, Sales Teams, Collateral Teams, Settlement Teams, Confirmation Teams, Senior Management, Middle Management, etc.  It was important to understand each respective group and know how to speak to them effectively.  For example, Traders and Sales Teams have a 10 minute attention span and you have to carefully chose your words for them to absorb what you need them to hear.

Do you think a degree from UCSD "has legs" outside of California?
I went to UCSD because I thought it was one of the best schools.  Yes, it has some clout outside of California.  There are 3,000+ alumni in the NY, NJ, CT & PA area.  As an active member of the Alumni Assoc-NY Chapter, I have met people who work for magazines, investment firms, medical field, including NY County Coroner's office, film industry, pharmaceutical companies, fashion industry and various well-known artists.  And, as I mentioned above, there are certain fields that have a quicker recognition, such as in the medical/science field and visual arts fields.  But with the addition of the business school, the finance/business fields will come into vision as well.