First, some facts. Of the Communication graduates from University of Colorado Boulder 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 29 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 61%, Communication graduates from University of Colorado Boulder 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, only 24% 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: 100%We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2017 from University of Colorado Boulder with a Bachelors in Communication. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONProduction AssistantHighsnobiety Mar 2019 - Mar 2019 Production Assistant Talweg Creative Apr 2021 - Apr 2021 Retail Sales Visvim Feb 2023 - Feb 2023 Freelance Graphic/Web Designer Freelance Jan 2018 - Apr 2024 E-Commerce Director Peyote Bird Designs Oct 2017 - Present ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
Looking at the job posts of Communication graduates from the University of Colorado Boulder, a lot of them gravitated toward roles in marketing, insurance, and nursing, but not all of these jobs really align with what you’d expect from a Communication degree. Many marketing positions do require some communication skills, but often they lean more toward sales tactics and business acumen than the nuanced communication theories and practices taught in school. Similarly, a significant number of graduates ended up in nursing roles, which mostly rely on medical training and clinical skills, leaving little connection to communication studies.
On the other hand, there are some roles that really hit the mark for what you'd learn in a Communication program. Positions like Corporate Communications Specialist, Digital Media Coordinator, and various teaching or therapy-related jobs utilize core communication skills effectively, showing that some graduates do find their way into roles where they can actually apply their degree. Overall, while many alumni landed jobs that might use some communication skills, there's a noticeable amount in fields unrelated to their studies, which raises questions about career relevance for Communication grads. So, it's a mixed bag—some graduates thrive in communication-centric roles, while others seem to be forging paths far from their degree focus.
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 University of Colorado Boulder):
Graduates from the University of Colorado Boulder with a degree in Communication appear to have a variety of career trajectories that reflect both success in relevant fields and some detours into less directly related jobs. Starting out, many of them land in entry-level roles that leverage their communication skills, such as marketing coordinators, sales associates, and administrative positions. It's interesting to note that some of them veer into unexpected fields like nursing or insurance, which indicate that communication skills can be broadly applicable, but may also suggest a lack of specific job opportunities in their desired areas right after graduation.
As they progress five to ten years into their careers, a significant number have moved into more established roles in communications, marketing, and education, such as communications specialists, marketing managers, and even directors. This suggests that while some may initially take a roundabout route, many find their way back to careers aligned with their degree over time. However, there are also some who have remained in roles unrelated to their field of study or shifted into entirely different industries, like real estate and healthcare. Overall, it seems that while some graduates have carved out solid pathways in communication-related fields, others have taken longer to find their niche, which is pretty common nowadays across many industries. It's a mix of both good and not-so-good outcomes, but that's just how the job market works sometimes!
Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Communication at the University of Colorado Boulder—or really at any school—can definitely have its challenges and it can also be pretty manageable, depending on your interests and strengths. Generally, Communication degrees involve a mix of theory, writing, and presentations, so if you enjoy those aspects, you might find it on the easier side. But if you’re not great with public speaking or writing essays, it could feel a bit tougher. At CU Boulder, there's a solid emphasis on engaging class discussions and hands-on projects, which can make it feel more interactive and less like traditional textbook learning. Overall, I'd say it's about average in difficulty, but it all depends on your personal skills and how much effort you’re willing to put in!
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 career paths of these Communication graduates from the University of Colorado Boulder, it seems like the money they're making varies quite a bit depending on their specific jobs and industries. Some folks, especially those in sales, marketing, or real estate, likely have a pretty good shot at decent salaries, especially as they gain experience—like the person who's been a Global Real Estate Advisor since 2015 or the Marketing Manager who's climbing the corporate ladder. On the flip side, some roles, especially those in education or public service, might not pay as well right off the bat, like the teachers and interns. Overall, there are definitely some solid earners in the mix, but not everyone is raking it in right away, so it really depends on the specific career choices they made.
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 University of Colorado Boulder). 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: