What can you do with a Child Development degree from San Jose State University?

First, some facts. Of the Child Development graduates from San Jose State University 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 10 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Significantly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 80%, Child Development graduates from San Jose State University have a much higher likelihood (+13%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 80%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, 60% 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:

View a random Child Development graduate from San Jose State University and our analysis:


Relevance score: 96%

We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2011 from San Jose State University with a Bachelor of Arts - BA in Child Development. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Lead Teacher
KinderCare Learning Companies
Jun 2011 - Jun 2014
The role of Lead Teacher at KinderCare Learning Companies directly utilizes child development knowledge and skills taught during the Bachelor's program, which are essential for effective teaching and care of children.

Shift Supervisor
WILLOW GLEN COMMUNITY EXTENDED DAY ENRICHMENT PROGRAM
Jun 2014 - Nov 2018
As a Shift Supervisor at Willow Glen Community Extended Day Enrichment Program, this position requires the application of child development principles to manage and support children's learning and development effectively.

Preschool Teacher
Peter Pan Preschool
Nov 2018 - Mar 2019
The position of Preschool Teacher at Peter Pan Preschool involves applying child development knowledge to facilitate early learning experiences for young children, which is directly connected to the BA in Child Development.

Lead Teacher
Jumpstart Discoveries Learning Center
Feb 2019 - Jun 2020
The role of Lead Teacher at Jumpstart Discoveries Learning Center employs specific child development knowledge and skills to create an educational environment that supports children's growth and learning.

Childcare Provider
Kania Family
Jul 2020 - Jun 2021
As a Childcare Provider for the Kania Family, while some aspects of child care can reflect knowledge from child development studies, it may not fully utilize the specific educational theories and practices learned in the degree program.

Preschool Teacher
The Room to Grow
Jul 2021 - Present
The position of Preschool Teacher at The Room to Grow necessitates a strong application of child development principles to effectively educate and nurture young children in a preschool setting.

ABOUT

No information provided.

What jobs can you get with a Child Development degree from San Jose State University?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


Most people from San Jose State University who graduated with a degree in Child Development seem to gravitate towards educational roles, particularly working as teachers or in management positions in child care settings. Positions like Preschool Teacher, Child Care Teacher, and Lead Teacher are pretty common and are directly connected to what they studied. These jobs require a solid understanding of child growth and educational techniques, which are core components of a Child Development degree.

While a lot of these roles are clearly relevant and impactful in the field of education and child care, there are some outliers. For instance, a few grads went into jobs that have little to do with their major, like working as Talent Acquisition Specialists or Autonomous Vehicle Operators. Overall, though, if you look at the bigger picture, most of the jobs are deeply intertwined with child development knowledge and skills, suggesting that the degree effectively prepares students for careers working with children and in educational environments.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Child Development graduates (this is across all Child Development graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to San Jose State University):

What kind of career trajectories do Child Development graduates from San Jose State University have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

When checking out the career paths of graduates from the Child Development program at San Jose State University, it’s pretty clear that many of them begin their professional journeys in early childhood education roles, like teaching or directorship positions at daycare centers and preschools. For instance, graduates from 2010 and 2011 quickly landed jobs as assistant directors or lead teachers at well-known childcare companies like KinderCare and the YMCA. This trend seems to hold strong for several years post-graduation, as many stay in educational roles, transitioning from preschool teachers to directors or supervisors within the educational landscape. While this indicates a degree of stability, it also shows a lot of people sticking close to the core of Child Development, which is great for those committed to nurturing young minds.

However, as we look deeper into the careers of some graduates five to ten years down the line, it appears that not everyone remains in Child Development. Some shifts occurred to roles that are less about direct education. For example, a few graduates ended up in positions unrelated to Child Development, like in clinical or even tech-related jobs, showing a more diverse trajectory. It's interesting to note that while a significant number of grads find solid roles in early childhood education, there are also those who venture into entirely different fields, signaling that the degree offers versatility but might not always lead to a focused career in Child Development. In summary, while many graduates find meaningful work aligned with their studies, there’s also a mix of paths that diverge from the core purpose of the degree over time.

How hard is a Child Development degree from San Jose State University?

Honestly, getting a Bachelor’s degree in Child Development at San Jose State University isn’t the easiest thing out there, but it's not the hardest either. It definitely requires some commitment and study time, especially because you’ll dive into a mix of psychology, education, and sociology related to kids and families. The coursework can be a bit heavy on theory and application, so you’ll need to stay engaged and do your readings. But if you’re passionate about the subject and willing to put in the effort, you’ll probably find it manageable. Plus, there are usually plenty of resources and support from professors and advisors, which can really help you along the way. Overall, it’s probably about average in terms of difficulty, especially if you find the material interesting!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Child Development.

Do Child Development graduates from San Jose State University tend to make good money?

Looking at these graduates from San Jose State University, it seems like they've found pretty decent jobs, particularly in the early childhood education and child development fields. There are roles like "Director" and "Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor," which typically pay a good salary, especially as you gain experience. However, some positions, like teachers and preschool educators, can feel a little on the lower end in terms of pay, especially when you consider the cost of living in California. Overall, it looks like they're making a reasonable living, but the income level really varies based on the specific job and experience. So, while some might be comfortable, others might be hustling a bit more to make ends meet.

What buzzwords do Child Development graduates use to describe themselves?

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 is across all Child Development graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to San Jose State University). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Child Development?

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