First, some facts. Of the Communication graduates from St. Cloud 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 19 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 61%, Communication graduates from St. Cloud State University have a lower likelihood (-6%) 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, 36% 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 Communication graduate.
See the details:
Relevance score: 53%We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2023 from St. Cloud State University with a Bachelor of Arts - BA in Communication. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONLearning & Development InternLunds & Byerlys May 2023 - Oct 2023 Recruiting Intern Lunds & Byerlys Oct 2023 - Dec 2023 Learning & Development Specialist Lunds & Byerlys Dec 2023 - Present ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
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 St. Cloud State University):
Based on the LinkedIn profiles analyzed, graduates from St. Cloud State University's Communication program tend to follow a mixed bag of career trajectories. Many start in relatively entry-level positions, often tied to customer service or sales, particularly in industries like hospitality and finance, which utilize their communication skills effectively. For instance, some graduates took up roles as tellers or service representatives right after graduation. Others have ventured into more creative and media-focused paths, with several starting as reporters or multimedia journalists. It's evident that those who pursued opportunities in journalism often saw progressive career advancement into higher-level roles in public relations and content production within just a few years.
Looking further down the line, five to ten years post-graduation, many have carved out solid careers that utilize their communication skills. Graduates have found roles such as public relations specialists, digital media planners, and even in educational settings as speech-language pathologists. On the flip side, there are also a good number who have transitioned into unrelated fields, perhaps indicating that a Communication degree can lead you in various directions, not all of which are directly linked to core communication roles. Overall, while some graduates have indeed thrived in distinctly relevant careers, others have spread out into different sectors, showing that the skills learned can be versatile but not always directly applicable to their initial field of study right away. It's a reminder of the unpredictable paths a degree can take you on!
Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Communication can be pretty manageable, especially at a place like St. Cloud State University. Most students find it to be easier than some of the more math or science-heavy degrees because it’s more about understanding concepts, presenting ideas, and honing your writing and speaking skills. You’ll have a mix of group projects, presentations, and perhaps some research papers, but it’s really about developing your critical thinking and creativity. So if you're the type of person who enjoys engaging with people and sharing ideas, you'll likely find it to be a fun and interesting ride, rather than a super tough grind. That said, like any degree, you’ll still have to put in some effort and stay organized, but overall, it’s considered a pretty approachable path!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Communication.
Looking at the job histories of these St. Cloud State University Communication grads, it seems like some of them are doing pretty well financially, while others might not be raking in the big bucks just yet. For instance, the journalists and PR specialists have likely climbed the ladder to decent salaries, especially with roles at established companies like WDAY-TV and The E.W. Scripps Company, which are known for paying well in media. On the other hand, those in customer service or entry-level positions, like the tellers or some sales roles, might not be bringing in as much. Then you've got the speech language pathologists who typically earn a solid wage, so they could be set. Overall, it seems like there’s a mixed bag—some are likely enjoying a comfortable income while others are probably still working their way up.
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 St. Cloud 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: