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First, some facts. Of the Child 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 265 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 76%, Child 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, 45% 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 Development graduate.
See the details:
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Relevance score: 0% We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2020 from Ashford University with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Child Development. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONTitle Processor Copart Oct 2021 - Present ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When analyzing the professional trajectories of individuals who graduated with a degree in Child Development, it’s evident that there are a few dominant job roles that consistently emerge. Most notably, many graduates find themselves in educational settings, such as becoming Preschool Teachers, Kindergarten Teachers, or working as Teacher Assistants. These roles require the application of child development principles, making them directly relevant to their academic background. For instance, positions like Lead Teacher and Early Childhood Educator reveal a continuous trend where graduates employ their knowledge to foster learning and support children's growth daily.
Aside from teaching, another common career path for these graduates includes roles that involve direct support and intervention for children, such as Behavioral Therapists and Early Intervention Specialists. These positions rely heavily on understanding child psychology and developmental milestones, highlighting the importance of their degree. For example, roles like Registered Behavior Technician or Board Certified Behavior Analyst emphasize the application of behavior analysis techniques, which are rooted in child development theories.
Interestingly, there are also instances where graduates venture into roles that seem less directly related to child development, such as customer service positions or administrative roles. For instance, jobs like HR administrators or general managers in unrelated fields may draw on some soft skills relevant to child interaction but do not heavily involve child development expertise. This indicates a degree of versatility in the job market, which may not completely utilize their specific academic focus. Overall, it’s clear that while many jobs are highly relevant to child development, there are others where graduates find roles that only partially align with their educational background, showcasing both the strengths and limitations of a degree in this field.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Child Development graduates:
Graduates with degrees in Child Development tend to follow various career trajectories, with many establishing themselves in educational and child-focused fields. Based on the data gathered from LinkedIn profiles, we can observe a few common patterns among these graduates' career paths, particularly in their immediate post-graduation jobs and their progression over the following five to ten years.
For many graduates, their first job after completing a degree in Child Development is often in an educational setting, such as teaching assistantships or entry-level teaching positions. For example, we see multiple individuals who began their careers as teacher assistants or preschool teachers right after graduation. This indicates a strong initial alignment with the educational and developmental aspects of their degree, suggesting that many find work directly related to child education and development early on. However, there are also several outliers who took jobs outside the education domain, such as retail or non-child development-related roles, which could reflect the job market's demands or personal choices at that time.
As these graduates progress within their careers, we notice that many remain in child-centered roles, particularly in education, therapeutic settings, and counseling. A significant number have transitioned to mid-level positions, such as lead teachers, counselors, or specialized roles like Child Life Specialists or Behavior Analysts. For instance, individuals who started as teaching assistants have advanced to lead teaching positions or specialized therapeutic roles in schools or healthcare settings. However, some graduates appear to deviate from the field of Child Development significantly over time, with certain profiles showcasing careers in management or completely unrelated fields, highlighting that not all graduates remain within their degree's scope.
Five to ten years after graduation, many graduates appear to have found solid footing in their respective fields, often seeking further certifications or advanced degrees to bolster their expertise and qualifications. Roles such as educational therapists, lead educators, or clinical specialists are common at this stage, signifying career advancement and specialization. However, the paths are not uniform; several people have transitioned into completely different careers that may not relate back to Child Development, highlighting a potential disconnect for some between degree focus and career fulfillment.
In conclusion, while many Child Development graduates do forge successful, relevant careers closely tied to their studies, a significant portion also diverge into diverse fields or different career paths altogether over time. Overall, there's a mix of both successful and less aligned career trajectories observed among these graduates, and this variance reflects broader trends in the job market and individual career decisions.
Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Child Development tends to be on the easier side compared to some other majors out there. You'll cover topics like child psychology, growth milestones, and family dynamics, which can be pretty interesting if you like working with kids. Sure, there will be some tough essays and maybe a few science classes, but overall, many students find the material engaging and manageable. You'll probably have a lot of group projects and discussions, which can make studying feel less like a grind. So, if you’re passionate about the subject, you might find it’s a smooth ride!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Child Development.
Looking at the job paths of these Child Development graduates, it seems that most of them are typically in positions that might not pay as much compared to other fields. Many of them started as interns or assistants and gradually moved into teaching or counseling roles, which can often have decent salaries but usually don't reach the higher end of the pay scale. As they gain experience, some have transitioned into more specialized roles or leadership positions, which usually offer better compensation, like being a Director of a preschool or a Behavior Analyst. But broadly speaking, many of these graduates are likely earning in the mid-range or even towards the lower end of income levels, especially if they remain in entry-level teaching positions.
However, some have managed to climb the ladder more successfully than others, like those moving into specialized areas such as Child Life Specialists or School Counselors, which often come with better pay. It’s also worth noting that certain roles, like program directors or school principals, can provide more lucrative salaries. All in all, while there’s potential for decent earnings as they advance, starting with jobs in this field generally doesn’t come with the highest paychecks. If someone is passionate about helping kids and making a difference, that might outweigh financial considerations, but it’s a trade-off they should be aware of.
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 Development. This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Child Development (ordered by the average relevance score of their Child Development graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:
| College | Score | Count |
|---|---|---|
 California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
|
83 | 10 |
 San Jose State University
|
80 | 10 |
 California State University, Fullerton
|
79 | 12 |
 California State University, Northridge
|
77 | 11 |
 California State University-Sacramento
|
73 | 22 |