First, some facts. Of the Communication graduates from Michigan 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 45 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 56%, Communication graduates from Michigan State University have a much lower likelihood (-11%) 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, only 22% 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 a Bachelors degree is enough for most Communication graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.
See the details:
Relevance score: 55%We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2010 from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONCampaign Field CoordinatorRepresentative Daniel Biss Aug 2010 - Nov 2010 Manager of Communications Chicago Sky Mar 2011 - Mar 2012 Event and Marketing Coordinator Rush Entertainment Bars and Restaurants Apr 2012 - Oct 2012 Account Manager Momentum Worldwide Aug 2014 - Feb 2019 Account Manager Marketing Werks Feb 2019 - Feb 2020 Account Manager Bowstring Studios Nov 2020 - Jan 2021 Marketing Account Manager Deloitte Jan 2021 - Mar 2023 Cross Industry Marketing Manger Deloitte Mar 2023 - Present ABOUTSpecialties: sports marketing, event planning, sponsorship's, campaign and program management, brand development, strategy, digital and social marketing and client/vendor relations. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
After looking through all these job titles and descriptions, it seems like a lot of Michigan State University communication graduates have ended up in positions that dabbled in communication skills, but not all of them are deeply tied to what they likely studied in their degree. The most common roles include Account Managers, Marketing Specialists, and positions in sales, which often require a level of communication but focus heavily on sales or account management tasks. Many of these roles involve interacting with clients or using some communication techniques, but they don't always dive into the theories and practices that are typically associated with a communication degree.
It turns out that while some graduates found jobs directly utilizing their communication skills—like in broadcasting or as communications managers—many others took paths that had a more transactional or operational angle. A good chunk of jobs leaned toward marketing roles, which often blend communication with strategic planning, making them partially relevant but not purely focused on communication as a discipline. Overall, it seems a mixed bag: graduates have landed in relevant and irrelevant roles, but those that actually align with their degree in Communication are definitely on the rarer side. It's important to keep this in mind when thinking about career paths after college!
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Communication graduates (this is across all Communication graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Michigan State University):
Graduates with a degree in Communication from Michigan State University seem to be on a pretty diverse career path right after they finish school. Many of them start off in roles related to communication, marketing, and public relations, such as account managers, social media specialists, or marketing coordinators. It looks like a good number of them snag jobs that are directly related to their field, which is a positive sign for recent grads looking to get into industries where they can utilize their skills in communicating effectively. There are also some graduates who take on roles that might not seem like a perfect fit—like sales or administrative positions—but these can still help build valuable transferable skills and experience.
Fast forward five to ten years later, and we see some interesting trends. Many graduates seem to have moved up the ladder in their respective fields, stepping into managerial and even directorial positions, especially in marketing and communications. On the flip side, some graduates have ventured into careers that diverge significantly from their original studies, like IT or project management, which indicates that while there are consistent success stories, there are also those who have found their niche outside the traditional paths expected from a Communication degree. Overall, it seems like while many graduates have found meaningful, related careers, others have taken a less conventional route that still leads to success, showing that a Communication degree can open a variety of doors, even if they don’t initially appear to be in the same realm.
Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Communication at Michigan State University isn’t the hardest thing out there, but it definitely has its challenges. You'll have to juggle different courses like media studies, public speaking, and maybe even some practical projects or internships, which can be a lot of work but are generally engaging. Compared to some STEM degrees, it’s usually seen as a bit easier, mostly because there’s less heavy math or science involved. That said, you still need to stay on top of your readings, group projects, and presentations, so it requires a good amount of effort and organization, but it's definitely doable if you’re passionate about the subject!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Communication.
Alright, so when you look at the job history of these Michigan State University Communication graduates, it seems like some of them have been able to secure pretty decent jobs, while others might still be finding their footing. For example, people who jumped into roles with big companies like Deloitte or General Motors are likely making good money, especially as they moved into higher-level positions. Meanwhile, some grads have taken on roles that might not pay as much, like in the non-profit sector or entry-level positions. Overall, it's a mixed bag—some are definitely earning well and climbing the ladder, while others are still working their way up. It's clear that the potential for decent earnings is there, especially if you keep growing in your field!
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Communication (this is across all Communication graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Michigan State University). This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Communication (ordered by the average relevance score of their Communication graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates: