First, some facts. Of the Communication graduates from West Virginia 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? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 47%, Communication graduates from West Virginia University have a much lower likelihood (-20%) 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 21% 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: 35%We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2019 from West Virginia University with a Bachelor of Arts - BA in Communication. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONMorning Show ProducerAudacy, Inc. Jun 2022 - Feb 2024 Box Office Assistant MGM National Harbor Jul 2021 - Present ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When you look at the job paths for graduates with a Communication degree from West Virginia University, a lot of them seem to end up in roles that kind of touch on communication but don't really dive deep into it. Many have taken up positions in hospitality management, like Food and Beverage Supervisors or Managers, which are more about operations and less about communication theory. You’ll also find folks in product development and retail, where they might use some communication skills, like managing teams or engaging customers, but the core of their roles is often rooted in areas far removed from communication principles. For instance, being a product manager or a sourcing analyst at a major brand is more about strategic decisions and product lifecycles than about effective messaging or media studies.
That said, there are definitely some success stories! Jobs in areas like social media management, production, and marketing do show a strong connection to the skills learned in a Communication degree. For example, someone working as a Morning Show Producer or in multimedia roles is straight-up using those communication strategies. It's a mixed bag overall — while many have ended up in jobs that feel a bit detached from what they studied, some have found roles that really allow them to leverage their communication skills. So, it really depends on which path they choose after graduation and how closely their job aligns with those core communication skills they've been trained in.
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 West Virginia University):
Graduates from the Communication program at West Virginia University seem to have a pretty diverse range of career paths. For many of them, their first jobs right out of college often tie back into their communication skills, like marketing positions, social media roles, or event management in the hospitality sector. It’s clear that communication skills are highly sought after in various fields including marketing, media, and even the food and beverage industry. While some might start a bit more off-track, like a food and beverage supervisor or an administrative assistant, they quickly find their way into roles that are more aligned with their communication degree. For a good number of these graduates, the first few years tend to revolve around entry-level positions that help build relevant experience and skills that they later leverage into more senior roles.
Fast forward five or ten years, and you can see that many alumni have moved into more specialized or managerial positions. Some have advanced to roles like project manager at major companies, creative directors, or even opened their own businesses, showing that a degree in communication can lead to significant growth and responsibility. However, it's also worth noting that there are graduates who seem to have taken paths that don’t fully utilize their communication skills, such as roles in insurance or administrative support. Overall, while there’s definitely a mix, many alumni appear to carve out successful careers that align with their educational background, making solid progress in established industries tied to their communication expertise. So, it appears that if you hustle a little and use your skills wisely, a communication degree from WVU can set you up for a pretty decent career trajectory!
Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Communication at West Virginia University is generally considered to be on the easier side compared to some other majors. While there are definitely challenges—like group projects, presentations, and the occasional research paper—it’s a lot about developing your skills in writing, speaking, and media understanding, which can be pretty engaging. If you're someone who enjoys chatting, collaborating, and getting involved in creative projects, you might find it to be more fun than tough. Of course, everyone's experience is different, but overall, you can expect a mix of interesting coursework without the insane stress that comes with some of the harder science or engineering degrees.
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Communication.
Alright, looking at these Communication graduates from West Virginia University, it seems like there's quite a mix when it comes to how much money they're making. The ones who landed positions like Director of Event Operations or Regional Corporate Director at hospitality firms, for instance, probably pulled in decent salaries—definitely better than entry-level gigs. On the flip side, some roles like the social media manager or intern positions, especially early in their careers, likely weren’t the highest earners. Overall, it looks like most have found a decent path post-college, but there's definitely a range of income prospects based on their specific positions and fields. If you're thinking about a future in communication, keep in mind that your salary can vary a lot depending on the job you land and where you go!
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 West Virginia 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: