What can you do with a Elementary Education degree from Northern Illinois University?

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:

Average score: 95%
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, 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:

View a random Elementary Education graduate from Northern Illinois University and our analysis:


Relevance score: 100%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2011 from Northern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Elementary Education. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Reading and Math Interventionist
Belvidere Community Unit School District #100
2012 - 2012
The role of Reading and Math Interventionist is directly relevant as it utilizes specific educational strategies and knowledge gained from a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education to support students' learning.

Long Term First Grade Substitute Teacher
Belvidere Community Unit School District #100
Nov 2012 - Mar 2013
As a Long Term First Grade Substitute Teacher, this position requires the application of teaching methodologies and classroom management skills that are central to an Elementary Education degree.

7th Grade Language Arts Teacher
Belvidere Community Unit School District #100
Jul 2013 - Present
The role of a 7th Grade Language Arts Teacher utilizes core principles and knowledge acquired during the Bachelor's program in Elementary Education, directly applying them in a classroom setting.

ABOUT

No information provided.

What jobs can you get with a Elementary Education degree from Northern Illinois University?

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


When looking at the job paths of people who graduated with a degree in Elementary Education from Northern Illinois University, a clear trend emerges: most of them stick to roles within the educational field. The majority have taken up positions as teachers across various grades, from kindergarten to middle school, as well as roles in educational leadership like principals or assistant principals. These positions clearly connect back to what they learned in their degree programs, including instructional strategies and understanding child development. For instance, many have worked directly as teachers or in supportive roles within schools, showing a strong application of their training in everyday classroom settings. However, not all graduates have jobs that are strictly related to Elementary Education. Some have ventured into roles that stray quite a bit from teaching, such as sales or administrative positions, which don't utilize the educational knowledge and skills they developed during their studies. In general, though, it seems that those who studied Elementary Education tend to gravitate back to teaching and educational leadership roles, indicating that they value the direct impact they can have on student learning and development. If you're thinking about a career in education, these profiles highlight that staying within the field can be both common and fulfilling!

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):

What kind of career trajectories do Elementary Education graduates from Northern Illinois University have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

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.

How hard is a Elementary Education degree from Northern Illinois University?

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.

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 Elementary Education.

Do Elementary Education graduates from Northern Illinois University tend to make good money?

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.

What buzzwords do Elementary Education 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 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:

What are the best colleges for Elementary Education?

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:

College Score Count
Northern Illinois University 95 13
University of Arizona 94 10
University of Iowa 93 14
Kansas State University 91 12
Michigan State University 89 30
Florida International University 89 14
Utah State University 89 10
Ball State University 88 14
Central Washington University 87 13
Western Governors University 84 44
Eastern Michigan University 84 14
Arizona State University 83 25
East Carolina University 83 26
Towson University 82 17
Indiana University Bloomington 80 15
Liberty University 80 16
Illinois State University 80 28
Appalachian State University 80 16
University of North Florida 80 13
Oklahoma State University 79 14
Penn State University 78 18
Brigham Young University - Idaho 78 13
Western Illinois University 78 11
University of Central Florida 77 41
Northern Arizona University 77 19
University of Nebraska-Lincoln 77 12
University of Northern Iowa 77 12
University of Florida 75 10
Utah Valley University 75 11
University of Northern Colorado 75 16
University of North Carolina at Charlotte 74 14
Florida Atlantic University 73 19
University of Mississippi 73 10
West Chester University of Pennsylvania 72 12
Grand Canyon University 71 20
Brigham Young University 70 17
Western Kentucky University 69 12
University of Phoenix 67 31
University of Missouri-Columbia 62 10