First, some facts. Of the Communication graduates from University of Iowa 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 33 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 52%, Communication graduates from University of Iowa have a much lower likelihood (-15%) 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: 15%We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2021 from University of Iowa with a Bachelor's degree in Communication. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONStaffing ManagerRandstad USA Mar 2022 - Dec 2022 Customer Trade Specialist Thales Dec 2022 - Present ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
The job paths taken by graduates from the University of Iowa with a degree in Communication reflect a mixed bag of relevance to their studies. Most notably, several individuals have ventured into roles like Speech Language Pathologist or various positions in marketing and event management, which heavily utilize the communication skills they honed during their education. For example, Speech Language Pathologists apply theories and techniques directly from their degree, making those roles a perfect fit. Similarly, positions like Senior Recruiter and Marketing Coordinator strongly draw upon the communication strategies taught in the program, showing a good alignment with the educational background.
However, not all job choices display this relevance. Many graduates have found themselves in roles such as Sales Associate or Project Manager, where the connection to communication studies is more tenuous. These jobs often focus more on technical or operational skills rather than the core communication competencies. Retail and administrative positions make up a significant portion of the work experience, indicating that while communication skills are beneficial, they aren't always the primary focus of these roles. Overall, it seems that while some graduates are applying their Communication skills directly, many others have taken jobs that don't maximize the value of their degree, leading to a varied relationship between their education and their career paths.
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 Iowa):
Looking at the career trajectories of Communication graduates from the University of Iowa, it seems like there's a mix of paths that they have taken after graduation. Starting off, many graduates find their first jobs in roles like sales, marketing, or project management. For example, several alumni took jobs as sales associates or in event coordination roles, which suggest they frequently kick-start their careers in customer-facing or communication-heavy positions. It’s also notable that a significant number of graduates, especially those who studied areas closely related to communication, have gone into fields like speech-language pathology, indicating that some of them are applying their skills in healthcare in a very impactful way.
Five to ten years down the line, many of these grads appear to have advanced into more specialized or managerial roles, which is pretty encouraging. Some have moved into positions like marketing managers or communications specialists, reflecting a positive trajectory where they're using their degrees meaningfully. Others have branched out into diverse fields, including healthcare and event management, which shows that the skills learned in a Communication program are quite versatile. However, not all paths align perfectly with their degrees; some alumni have ventured into non-traditional roles that aren’t directly related to communication. Overall, it seems like while there are some mixed results, a good number of graduates are successfully leveraging their degrees into fruitful careers. So, if you're thinking about going into Communication, it looks like there are plenty of opportunities out there to explore!
Honestly, a Bachelor's degree in Communication at the University of Iowa, like many other places, can be a mix of challenging and easier courses. It typically involves a lot of reading, writing, and group projects, which can be tough if you're not into that kind of work. However, many students find it pretty manageable, especially if they have a knack for expressing ideas and enjoying discussions. It's often considered less intense compared to some other majors like engineering or the hard sciences, but it definitely has its demands, especially when you're juggling presentations and papers. If you keep up with the coursework and stay organized, you should be able to handle it just fine!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Communication.
Looking at these University of Iowa grads, it seems like most of them have carved out decent careers, but the money side of things can be a mixed bag, depending on the roles they took on. For instance, some fields like nursing and speech-language pathology typically pay well, and you see graduates in those areas sticking with stable positions and climbing up the ladder. Others, especially in sales or retail, might have fluctuating incomes based on commissions or part-time roles, which can definitely limit their earnings. Overall, it’s a bit of a rollercoaster – while some are likely raking in solid salaries, others might be struggling a bit more to hit that financial sweet spot. It just shows how important it is to think about job stability and potential earnings when choosing a career path!
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 Iowa). 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: