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First, some facts. Of the Child and Adolescent Development graduates we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:
These are estimates based on AI analysis of 53 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 76%, Child and Adolescent Development graduates have a higher likelihood (+9%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
Also, after graduating, 50% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a Child and Adolescent Development graduate.
See the details:
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Relevance score: 44% We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2020 from California State University San Marcos with a Bachelor of Arts - BA in Child and Adolescent Development. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONCustomer Service Specialist Smart Swapping Apr 2021 - May 2022 Data Analyst  Scale Smarter Partners Aug 2020 - Present Executive Assistant WMSE Elite Concierge May 2022 - Present Bookkeeper WMSE Elite Concierge Jul 2022 - Present ABOUTCurrently, I work as Scale Smarter Partner's Data Analyst, extracting qualitative and quantitative data from specific market segments, as well as evaluated data, to give management information on critical industry trends in a clear and effective structure. Previously, I was an Administrative Assistant, where I developed the organization and filing system of all company documentation including driver agreements, NDAs, client contracts, and exclusivity agreements.Competencies: data science, WordPress, Microsoft Office, time management, data extraction, and record keeping. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When analyzing the career paths of individuals who graduated with degrees in Child and Adolescent Development, it seems that many of them have landed jobs closely tied to their studies. The most common types of jobs tend to be in education, special needs support, and various roles within child and youth services. For instance, positions like teacher, preschool educator, and behavioral interventionist make up a significant portion of their careers. These roles are highly relevant as they involve directly working with children and adolescents, applying the theories and principles learned in their degree programs daily. Teaching, in particular, stands out as a prevalent theme, given the degree's focus on developmental stages and educational methodologies.
However, not every job these graduates have taken on is closely aligned with their field of study. A considerable number have moved into administrative or support roles that don’t apply their academic background in Child and Adolescent Development directly. For example, positions like office manager or roles within the corporate sector often prioritize organizational or managerial skills over the developmental insights gained from their education. While some positions in these categories may involve working with children on some level, they generally lack the direct application of child development concepts that are central to the graduates’ training. This inconsistency raises a significant question about the alignment between the job market and the disciplines offered in academia. Overall, while many graduates are successfully finding positions relevant to their degrees, a noticeable number are diverting into roles that don't fully utilize the skills and knowledge they spent years acquiring, suggesting a potential disconnect in preparation and employment opportunities within the field of Child and Adolescent Development.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Child and Adolescent Development graduates:
When looking at the career trajectories of graduates with degrees in Child and Adolescent Development, it's pretty clear that many of them initially step into roles directly related to education or youth services right after graduating. A lot of these graduates start off as behavioral interventionists, teachers, or in similar positions that allow them to work directly with children and adolescents. For instance, graduates from California State University-Sacramento and Point Loma Nazarene University started their careers in specialized educational roles, indicating a trend toward immediate engagement in child-focused employment.
However, if we look further down the line—say five to ten years after graduation—the picture gets a bit mixed. While many do stay in the educational realm, some pursue careers that seem a bit disconnected from their original focus on Child and Adolescent Development. For example, a graduate from the University of Illinois shifted from teaching to a managerial position in sales, which is rather far removed from their initial training. This suggests that while the degree provides a strong foundation for working in educational and developmental settings, it doesn't always lead to long-term career paths within those fields.
In summary, it seems that most graduates tend to start in relevant jobs immediately after graduating, but as time goes on, not all of them stick with those career trajectories. Some find themselves veering off into other industries or roles that don't utilize the skills they cultivated during their studies. So, while there are definitely success stories among these graduates, like those advancing to significant roles in educational settings or specialized child services, it’s also evident that others may not find their way back to their original field of study. This can paint a more nuanced picture of the career outcomes for those entering this space.
A Bachelor’s degree in Child and Adolescent Development can be a mixed bag when it comes to difficulty. If you’ve got a genuine passion for understanding how kids and teens grow and learn, you might find it pretty engaging. There will be some challenging courses, especially in psychology and research methods, but overall, many students find it more manageable compared to degrees in hardcore sciences or engineering. So, if you’re someone who enjoys working with people and is interested in human development, it might come off as easier than average, especially since the coursework often includes hands-on projects and interactions with children and adolescents, which can make learning more fun and relatable! Just be prepared to do some reading and writing, like in any college program.
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 2 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Child and Adolescent Development.
When looking at these graduates and their job history, it seems like most of them are earning typical salaries for the education and child development fields, which aren't usually known for being high-paying. Recent graduates, like the one from California State University-Sacramento, are just starting out in roles like SpEd Learning Coach, which usually pays on the lower end of the scale, likely in the $40,000 to $60,000 range. On the other hand, some who have climbed higher in their careers or switched to roles with more responsibility and leadership, like the one from University of Illinois currently working at CDW, probably make better money, with salaries that could be significantly over six figures.
In general, it looks like many of these professionals might find it challenging to build substantial wealth quickly given the typical entry-level roles in child development. Those who have advanced in their careers or landed in leadership positions, especially in education or corporate environments, could definitely be raking in better incomes. Overall, though, many in the early to mid-career stages may still be in that phase where they're focused on gaining experience rather than making big bucks.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Child and Adolescent Development. This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Child and Adolescent Development (ordered by the average relevance score of their Child and Adolescent Development graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:
| College | Score | Count |
|---|---|---|
 California State University, Fullerton
|
69 | 10 |