First, some facts. Of the Communication graduates from Western Washington 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 30 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 53%, Communication graduates from Western Washington University have a much lower likelihood (-14%) 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 23% 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: 72%We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2014 from Western Washington University with a Bachelor's degree in Communication. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONSalesThe Local Joint Jan 2015 - Sep 2015 Guest Guide Wyndham Worldwide Sep 2015 - Present Marketing Wyndham Worldwide Sep 2015 - Present FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGCommunicationWestern Washington University 2010 - 2015 ABOUThttp://aespinosaart.weebly.com/Custom art:- Paintings: Watercolor, Acrylic, Oil - Portraits- Wood Burning: Skateboards, etc. - ETC. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When you look at the careers of graduates from Western Washington University with a degree in Communication, it's interesting to see a mix of jobs with varying degrees of relevance to their studies. Many people ended up in management roles—like Store Managers, Program Coordinators, and Project Managers—where the focus is more on logistics and operations than communication skills. For instance, positions like Assistant Manager at a food store or Operations Manager tend to lean towards retail or operational tasks rather than directly utilizing the core principles of communication learned in their degree. These types of jobs, while they might require some communication skills, often prioritize management and logistical abilities over the nuanced understanding of communication strategies.
However, there are notable exceptions where graduates found roles that align pretty well with their education. Jobs like Communications Specialist, ESL Teacher, and Speech Language Pathologist emphasize the skills and knowledge they gained through their degree. These roles make use of effective communication strategies and interpersonal skills, making them highly relevant to the degree in Communication. Overall, while a good number of graduates are indeed applying their communication skills in their jobs, many are in positions that don't leverage the full scope of what they learned, often settling for roles where communication is just one of many requirements rather than the main focus. It's definitely a mixed bag!
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 Western Washington University):
It looks like graduates from the Communication program at Western Washington University have had a pretty varied range of career trajectories. When you first look at the data, a lot of them land roles that are somewhat related to Communication right after they graduate. There are a bunch of early jobs in administrative roles, marketing, and social services, which makes sense since communication skills are super valuable in those fields. While some start in positions like "Parts Specialist" or "Executive Assistant," many transition into roles with a clearer focus on communication, marketing, or project coordination as they gain experience. For example, within five years, you can see a trend where alumni are moving into higher-level positions that require strong communication skills, like Program Manager or Communications Consultant.
Fast forward ten years, and the picture starts to get even more interesting. Many graduates seem to have settled into roles that either leverage their Communication degree directly or positions that are adjacent to it, such as public relations, marketing, community engagement, and similar fields. There are definitely some paths that might seem a bit off the Communication track, like working in retail or customer service, but overall, it seems like most graduates are slowly but surely moving towards careers that utilize their degree more fully. Even in cases where their initial roles don’t seem to align perfectly, many end up making significant career leaps—often into management or specialized communication roles—demonstrating how adaptable a Communication degree can be in the job market. So, while not every pathway is linear, many graduates are carving out meaningful careers that have roots in their Communication studies.
Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Communication at Western Washington University, like most places, has its ups and downs. It’s not usually considered the hardest degree out there, but that doesn't mean it's a walk in the park either. You'll dive into things like public speaking, media studies, and group dynamics, which can be super interesting but also requires a fair bit of reading and project work. If you're good at expressing your ideas and enjoy working with others, you might find it a bit easier than some tougher STEM majors. Just be ready to put in the effort, especially with presentations and group projects—it can get pretty real! All in all, it's a solid mix of fun and challenge.
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Communication.
So, looking at these Communication grads from Western Washington University, it seems like they’ve ended up in a pretty solid range of jobs, but the paycheck varies a lot. Some, like the graduates working at places like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Tesla, likely snag good salaries thanks to those organizations' reputation and scale, while others in more entry-level roles or non-profits might be earning a bit less. There's also a mix of career paths—some went into management and specialized roles that usually come with higher pay, while others are in positions that don’t typically offer as much. Overall, it's a mixed bag, but many of them seem to be moving towards more stable and potentially higher-paying positions, which is a good sign!
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 Western Washington 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: