First, some facts. Of the Elementary Education graduates from Northern Illinois 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? Great! Overall, with an average relevance score of 95%, Elementary Education graduates from Northern Illinois University have a substantially higher likelihood (+28%) 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, 46% 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 you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a Elementary Education graduate.
See the details:
Relevance score: 100%We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2011 from Northern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Elementary Education. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONReading and Math InterventionistBelvidere Community Unit School District #100 2012 - 2012 Long Term First Grade Substitute Teacher Belvidere Community Unit School District #100 Nov 2012 - Mar 2013 7th Grade Language Arts Teacher Belvidere Community Unit School District #100 Jul 2013 - Present ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Elementary Education graduates (this is across all Elementary Education graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Northern Illinois University):
Looking at the career trajectories of graduates from Northern Illinois University with a degree in Elementary Education, it seems like many of them do start off strong in the field of education right after graduation. Most of the individuals began their careers as classroom teachers, typically in various school districts across Illinois. This is pretty common for graduates in education since teaching is the most direct way to apply their degree. It’s interesting to see that some have quickly moved up the ranks, taking on roles like assistant principal and principal within just a few years of starting their teaching careers. For example, several graduates who started as teachers have transitioned into leadership positions, suggesting a clear upward trajectory in the educational field.
However, there are a few that have taken a different route, like one graduate who started in education but ended up in sales leadership before returning to teaching. While most seem to stick with education, the diversity in roles—like reading interventionists, substitute teachers, and educational assistants shows that there's a mix of paths people take, even within the field. Overall, it looks like those who graduated from NIU in Elementary Education have mainly found success in careers relevant to their degree, with many becoming established teachers and even moving into administrative roles within a decade of graduation. So if you're thinking about this degree, it seems like you can definitely carve out a good career in education! Just keep an eye on staying connected with your passion for teaching, as it looks like those vibes really help propel you forward in this field.
Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, including one from Northern Illinois University, is kind of a mixed bag when it comes to how hard or easy it is. On one hand, it involves a lot of hands-on learning, like working with kids during your field experiences, which can be both exciting and a bit nerve-wracking. You’ll be diving into education theories and teaching methods, and while some people might find those classes pretty straightforward, others might struggle a bit with the projects and lesson planning. The workload can vary from semester to semester, but compared to some other majors, it generally feels more manageable for many students, especially if you enjoy working with kids and are passionate about teaching. Overall, it’s definitely challenging at times, but many find it rewarding and pretty doable if you keep up with the assignments and don’t procrastinate too much.
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Elementary Education.
Looking at these job histories of Northern Illinois University Elementary Education grads, it seems like they've had a pretty solid run in their careers, especially as they moved up the ranks over time. Many started as teachers and seem to have transitioned into roles like assistant principal or principal, which usually comes with higher pay. For example, the ones who became principals likely earn a decent salary, given that administrators typically make more than classroom teachers. However, some folks like the ones who continued as substitutes or aides might not be raking in the big bucks yet. Overall, while some are probably doing pretty well, especially those in leadership positions, others are at the beginning of their careers or in less lucrative roles, so it’s a mixed bag when it comes to making decent money.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Elementary Education (this is across all Elementary Education graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Northern Illinois University). This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Elementary Education (ordered by the average relevance score of their Elementary Education graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates: