First, some facts. Of the Cinema and Photography graduates from Ithaca College 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? Bad. Overall, with an average relevance score of 46%, Cinema and Photography graduates from Ithaca College have a substantially lower likelihood (-21%) 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, 40% 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 Cinema and Photography graduate.
See the details:
Relevance score: 50%![]() DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2022 from Ithaca College with a Bachelor of Science - BS in Cinema and Photography. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONWaterfall Films Intern![]() Waterfall Films Jan 2022 - May 2022 Post Production Assistant ![]() Bodega Pictures Jun 2022 - Sep 2022 Post Production Assistant ![]() That's My Jam - Season 2 Oct 2022 - Mar 2023 Production Assistant ![]() NBCUniversal May 2023 - Jul 2023 Production Assistant ![]() NBCUniversal Jun 2023 - Jun 2024 Production Assistant ![]() CBS Studios Jun 2024 - Jun 2024 Content Team Intern ![]() XYZ FILMS Jan 2022 - May 2022 Freelance Social Media Consultant ![]() XYZ FILMS May 2022 - Present ABOUTAs a lover of television and film, I am looking for new opportunities to work alongside excellent, top-of-the-line post-production teams in the film/television industry. My skills in editing software like Adobe Suites and AVID and my experiences working in both post and physical production assistant roles have taught me the tricks of the trade, and I'm looking to further hone my craft as a Post Production Assistant or a Junior Editor. A graduate of Ithaca College with a major in Cinema and Photography and minors in Education Studies, Recreation, and Writing for Film, TV, and Emerging Media. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When looking at jobs held by graduates from the Cinema and Photography program at Ithaca College, it’s clear that there's a diverse range of positions people find themselves in. Many have taken jobs unrelated to their field of study, such as sales associate or various administrative roles. On the other hand, roles like Production Assistant and Video Editor are where the most relevance lies, catering to functions that directly use skills from their degree. Unfortunately, a good chunk of these graduates are in positions that don’t really tap into what they learned in school, like being a dental assistant or a bank teller, which seem far removed from the world of film and photography.
However, there’s a silver lining! Many graduates are indeed bringing their education to life in settings that match well with their training, especially in production roles or creative positions such as photographers and media specialists. Even some managerial jobs within digital marketing allow room for applying their visual storytelling skills. So, while it seems like a mixed bag overall—with some graduates thriving in cinema-related roles and others settling for jobs that don’t really showcase their skills—there's definitely a path for success in areas directly tied to their degree. The challenge will be finding those opportunities and carving out a niche that allows them to combine their passion for cinema and photography with practical career choices.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Cinema and Photography graduates (this is across all Cinema and Photography graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Ithaca College):
Graduates from the Cinema and Photography program at Ithaca College seem to have a mixed bag when it comes to their career trajectories. Right out of college, many of them have started their careers in roles that are only loosely related to their studies, such as working in sales, as production assistants, or even taking on various support roles in unrelated fields. For instance, some graduates took jobs like “waitress” or “sales associate,” which might not directly align with their passion for cinema and photography. It’s not uncommon for recent grads in creative fields to explore different jobs while they search for opportunities in their desired industry, but the number of roles unrelated to cinema is definitely noticeable.
As we look five to ten years down the line, some of these graduates have managed to carve out notable positions in the industry. Others appear to drift further from their field, taking jobs that seem unrelated to their degree, like office management or administrative roles. However, there are success stories too: a few grads have advanced to significant roles such as "Post Production Coordinator" or even higher positions in creative companies. While a portion of the alumni has successfully linked their careers back to cinema and photography, a lot still find themselves in various jobs that don't directly utilize their degree. It’s a mixed outcome, showing that while the potential is definitely there for fulfilling careers in the creative sector, some may need to explore several pathways to find the right fit.
Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Cinema and Photography can be pretty demanding, especially at a place like Ithaca College, which is known for its strong arts programs. You’re going to be juggling a lot of hands-on projects, learning the technical stuff like camera work and editing, and diving into theory and critique, all while trying to find your own unique voice as a creator. It can be more challenging than your average degree because you’re not just hitting the books; you’re spending a ton of time in studios, on sets, and behind the camera. If you’re really passionate about film and photography, though, it can also be super rewarding, so just be prepared to put in the work!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Cinema and Photography.
From the looks of it, the job paths of these Ithaca College grads seem pretty mixed when it comes to making decent money. Some are taking on roles in media and production, which can be great, but many started off in lower-paying gigs or temp positions, like waitressing or working as production assistants, which is common in the film and photography industries. Over time, a few have managed to climb the ladder into more stable and potentially higher-paying jobs, especially those in marketing or digital management, while others still seem to be in more entry-level roles or bouncing around freelance gigs. Overall, I'd say the potential is there for decent earnings, but it's going to be a while until they really hit their stride if they haven't already!
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Cinema and Photography (this is across all Cinema and Photography graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Ithaca College). This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Cinema and Photography (ordered by the average relevance score of their Cinema and Photography graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:
College | Score | Count |
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46 | 10 |