What can you do with a Communication, Journalism, And Related Programs degree?

First, some facts. Of the Communication, Journalism, And Related Programs graduates 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 272 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 62%, Communication, Journalism, And Related Programs graduates have a slightly lower likelihood (-5%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 62%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, only 19% 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, Journalism, And Related Programs graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random Communication, Journalism, And Related Programs graduate and our analysis:


Relevance score: 44%

We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2020 from University of Nevada-Las Vegas with a Bachelor's degree in Communication, Journalism, And Related Programs. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Front Desk Staff
Zion Mountain Ranch
Jun 2020 - Dec 2020
The position of Front Desk Staff does not require any communication-specific skills or knowledge, focusing instead on general customer service tasks unrelated to the field of Communication.

Jill Manager
Jill's Office
Feb 2021 - Jun 2021
As a Jill Manager, the role may involve some elements of communication and management, but it is not explicitly focused on the core qualifications of a Communication degree.

Kennel Technician
Animal Care Center
Feb 2021 - Present
The job as a Kennel Technician does not utilize any specific skills or knowledge gained from a Communication degree, centering instead on animal care and handling.

Project Implementation Specialist
O.C. Tanner
Jun 2021 - Dec 2022
The role of Project Implementation Specialist at O.C. Tanner involves significant communication strategies and project management, directly utilizing skills obtained from a Communication degree.

Program Implentation Specialist ll
O.C. Tanner
Dec 2022 - Present
Similar to Job #3, as a Program Implementation Specialist II at O.C. Tanner, the position requires the application of communication strategies and project skills, making it highly relevant to the degree in Communication.

ABOUT

No information provided.

What jobs can you get with a Communication, Journalism, And Related Programs degree?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


When examining the career paths of individuals who graduated with a degree in Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, a clear trend emerges. Many graduates have indeed pursued roles that directly relate to their studies, particularly in fields like journalism, public relations, and media production. For instance, numerous individuals have taken up positions such as reporters, editors, and producers, which utilize the skills of writing, research, and effective communication that are fundamental to their academic training.

However, it's essential to recognize that not all jobs held by these graduates align closely with their degrees. A substantial number have ventured into roles in marketing, sales, or customer service, where communication skills are beneficial but not central to the core competencies taught in their degree programs. Jobs like sales representatives, account executives, and even food service roles highlight how a degree in communication can sometimes be a "jack of all trades" ticket into diverse fields, rather than a direct pathway to journalism or media-specific careers.

In summary, while many of these individuals have found positions deeply entrenched in communication, journalism, and media—demonstrating a strong relevance of their studies—there are also numerous instances where the link between their degree and their job is tenuous at best. This points to the versatility of communication skills across various professions, but also raises questions about job market alignment with specific academic programs. Ultimately, the degree undoubtedly equips graduates with valuable skills, yet it seems not all of them find their way back to communication-focused roles in their post-graduate careers.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Communication, Journalism, And Related Programs graduates:

What kind of career trajectories do Communication, Journalism, And Related Programs graduates have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

When analyzing the career trajectories of graduates from Communication, Journalism, and related programs, it's clear we're looking at some diverse paths that can vary quite a bit. For many of these individuals, especially those who graduated recently, their first jobs often reflect a strong alignment with their degrees. A common starting point seems to be internships or entry-level roles in media and public relations. For example, a graduate from Loyola University Maryland became a reporter at a news publication right after graduating, which is typical for many in this field. Others jumped into roles as social media coordinators, public relations assistants, or marketing interns, which all tie back into the communication skills they've honed during their studies.

As we leap five or ten years down the line, the picture gets more complicated. While some graduates do find themselves advancing their careers in relevant fields—like journalism or PR—many others have veered off into completely different sectors. For instance, several individuals who studied communication ended up in administrative roles, sales positions, or even unrelated industries altogether. For instance, a graduate from Kansas State University went from being a product specialist to a sales manager in the automobile industry, where direct communication skills weren't central to the job. It raises some questions about how sustainable the field is for many graduates, especially as they grapple with job stability and relevance to their education.

In an honest take, it seems there’s a mix of success stories and those who have struggled to find their footing in the communication realm. The ones who stick with journalism or media often develop impressive careers, even moving into senior roles like editors or news directors. However, a significant number of graduates appear to have taken on positions that dilute the value of their degrees. Many end up in various non-communication-related roles, which can feel like they’ve had to settle for "just a job" rather than leveraging their degree to follow their passion. This landscape indicates that while opportunities exist, the ability to translate a communications degree into a career can be quite challenging.

How hard is a Communication, Journalism, And Related Programs degree?

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Communication, Journalism, and related programs can be a bit of a mixed bag in terms of difficulty. It’s generally not the hardest major out there, but it does require a fair amount of reading, writing, and critical thinking. You’ll have to get comfortable with deadlines and a lot of group projects, which can be fun but also challenging depending on your partners. Plus, if you’re diving into journalism specifically, you may find yourself in situations that require quick thinking and strong writing skills under pressure. So, while it’s not necessarily a walk in the park, if you enjoy storytelling and being creative, you might find it engaging and worthwhile! Just be ready to put in some effort, and you’ll do just fine.

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Communication, Journalism, And Related Programs.

Do Communication, Journalism, And Related Programs graduates tend to make good money?

When looking at the job trajectories of these Communication, Journalism, and related graduates, it seems like some are finding their way to decent-paying roles, while others are still navigating the challenges that come with those fields. For instance, graduates who took on positions with more stable companies rather than freelance gigs tend to have more upward mobility, like those in marketing or project management. Jobs at well-known organizations often yield better pay, as shown by those moving into senior roles at companies like New Balance or The New York Times. Conversely, those working as journalists or in entry-level positions might not be pulling in the big bucks just yet, especially if they are working for smaller publications or as freelancers.

Overall, if these folks are willing to hustle a bit and find opportunities for advancement within their companies or transition into roles with more potential for growth, they could end up making decent money in the long haul. The career paths seem pretty diverse and dynamic, which is great because it opens up various opportunities for making good wages. There will definitely be some hard days ahead, but with persistence and potentially some strategic moves, it’s likely that many of them might find financial stability down the line!

What buzzwords do Communication, Journalism, And Related Programs graduates use to describe themselves?

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, Journalism, And Related Programs. This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Communication, Journalism, And Related Programs?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Communication, Journalism, And Related Programs (ordered by the average relevance score of their Communication, Journalism, And Related Programs graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count