First, some facts. Of the Communication graduates from Virginia 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 13 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 54%, Communication graduates from Virginia State University have a much lower likelihood (-13%) 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 30% 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: 49%We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2016 from Virginia State University with a Bachelor of Arts - BA in Communication. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONMarketing ExecutiveHilton Grand Vacations Jan 2017 - Dec 2017 Marketing Manager Tysons West Orthodontics Oct 2017 - Jan 2018 Marketing and Retail Manager The Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Center Feb 2018 - Mar 2020 Clerical Office Worker DC Department of Corrections Jun 2021 - Apr 2023 Staff Assistant DC Department of Corrections Feb 2023 - Present ABOUTMs. Barfield can execute payroll related payment processes in a timely and accuratemanner. Is able to apply undistributed payments on billing systems, while following established guidelines. Ms. Barfield has the ability to solve payment issues efficiently that improve customer satisfaction. She is able review payment requests for accuracy and completeness and process payment when appropriate. Analyze documentation for submission to support payment requests for reimbursement of monies to be paid to beneficiaries. Creates wage reports and enters detailed information into data system for electronic wage reporting. Ms. Barfield can maintain electronic file of payment requests, awards, and denials. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When looking at the types of jobs people with a Communication degree from Virginia State University have landed, it’s pretty clear that there’s a mix of roles, but marketing positions pop up quite a bit. A lot of graduates ended up in marketing-related jobs like Marketing Manager or Marketing Specialist, which clearly align with the communication skills they learned in school. Those roles often involve strategizing how to communicate messages effectively to audiences, so it makes sense they would be a good fit. On the flip side, many have also taken on roles that are less directly related, like administrative jobs, and even positions in urban planning or real estate, where the focus is on tasks that don't heavily rely on communication theory or skills, such as quality assurance or logistics.
Overall, it's a bit of a mixed bag. While several graduates have found jobs that are very relevant to their degree, especially in marketing, there are quite a few who ended up in positions that don't directly leverage what they studied. Many of these less relevant jobs, like administrative support or in the public sector, seem to focus more on practical task management rather than communication frameworks. So, if someone is pursuing a degree in Communication, it’s definitely beneficial for them to aim for positions that leverage their degree's core skills, especially in marketing or counseling roles, to really make the most of their education.
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 Virginia State University):
If you take a look at the career trajectories of graduates from Virginia State University who majored in Communication, you'll see that many start off in roles that may not seem directly aligned with their degree, such as office support or administrative positions. Often, their first job out of college is something like an internship or an entry-level administrative role. For example, some graduates went on to become Counselors or Parks Managers after working in support positions or gaining experience through internships. This suggests that while they might not jump straight into a communication-heavy job, they are building skills and gaining experience in related fields.
However, if you look a bit further down the line—say five to ten years later—you'll notice more graduates have carved out careers that leverage their degrees directly, especially in areas like marketing, planning, and community engagement. Some have taken on significant roles, such as Directors or Managers in various organizations, showing a more favorable trend toward communication-related careers as they gain experience. It's a mixed bag, though; while some graduates have certainly found success that relates back to their studies, others have drifted into roles that may not utilize their communication skills in the way they hoped. Overall, it's clear that a Communication degree from Virginia State can lead to diverse paths, and many graduates eventually find a way to connect their jobs back to their field of study as they gain more experience and refine their career goals.
Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Communication at Virginia State University, or really anywhere, can be a mixed bag. Generally, you can expect it to be on the easier side compared to some other majors like engineering or the sciences, but that doesn’t mean it’s a walk in the park. It involves a lot of reading, writing, and presentations, so if you're not into those things, it might feel a bit challenging. But if you enjoy expressing ideas and working on projects with others, you’ll probably find it pretty manageable and even fun. Plus, the flexibility in choosing electives can make it a bit easier, letting you play to your strengths and interests. Overall, it’s definitely doable with some effort!
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 history of these Virginia State University graduates, it seems like some of them have carved out pretty decent careers, while others are still figuring things out. For example, the graduates who went into education and planning roles have likely found more stable and potentially higher-paying positions, especially as they moved into leadership roles like Dean of Students or Director of Planning. However, some of the more recent grads are in internships or entry-level jobs which might not be paying as well, like the Leasing Consultant or the Influencer Marketing Intern, which typically don’t come with high salaries, especially right out of college. Overall, it looks like some are doing well, but others might need some time to grow into better-paying opportunities.
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 Virginia 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: