What can you do with a Elementary Education degree from University of Missouri-Columbia?

First, some facts. Of the Elementary Education graduates from University of Missouri-Columbia 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 10 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 62%, Elementary Education graduates from University of Missouri-Columbia 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 30% 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 Elementary Education graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random Elementary Education graduate from University of Missouri-Columbia and our analysis:


Relevance score: 33%

We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2017 from University of Missouri-Columbia with a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. Also pursued further education since (see below).

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Third Grade Teacher
Derby Ridge Elementary School
May 2017 - May 2019
The role of a Third Grade Teacher directly applies the knowledge and pedagogical skills obtained from a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education, making it highly relevant.

Third Grade Teacher
Columbia Public Schools
Apr 2019 - Aug 2020
As a Third Grade Teacher at Columbia Public Schools, this position requires the application of educational theories and practices learned during the degree, ensuring strong relevance.

Nanny
THE NANNY JOYNT, L.L.C.
Aug 2020 - Jun 2021
The nanny position involves caring for children and may utilize some educational skills from the degree, but it is not as focused on structured educational principles as a teaching role.

Clinical Supervisor
Western Governors University
Jan 2021 - Jun 2021
The position of Clinical Supervisor at Western Governors University does not utilize elementary education knowledge or skills, focusing instead on clinical supervision and higher education processes.

Sales Associate
Club Pilates
Mar 2021 - Mar 2023
The Sales Associate role at Club Pilates is primarily centered around sales and fitness, which does not align with the core qualifications of an Elementary Education degree.

Transaction Coordinator
Lake Pleasant Real Estate
Jun 2021 - Mar 2023
A Transaction Coordinator position at Lake Pleasant Real Estate requires knowledge of real estate transactions and administrative skills, not related to Elementary Education.

Licensed Real Estate Agent
Lake Pleasant Real Estate
Nov 2021 - Mar 2023
Being a Licensed Real Estate Agent requires specific real estate knowledge and sales skills, which are not covered in the Elementary Education degree.

Director of Operations
The Brokery
Feb 2023 - Present
The role of Director of Operations at The Brokery focuses on business operations and management, which does not utilize skills or knowledge from an Elementary Education background.

FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATING
Master of Education - MEd
University of Missouri-Columbia
2016 - 2018
ABOUT

Currently serving as Transaction Coordinator, Operations Manager, and Realtor at The Brokery in Phoenix, AZGraduated from University of Missouri in May 2017. Taught third grade in the Columbia Public School district from 2017-2020. Received my Masters Degree in Learning, Teaching, and Curriculum at the University of Missouri in 2019. After my time in education, I switched gears and began working in Real Estate in June of 2021. Enjoys travel, being a foodie, playing outside with my goldendoodle (Stella) and spending time with friends and family.

What jobs can you get with a Elementary Education degree from University of Missouri-Columbia?

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


Looking through the job titles from alumni of the University of Missouri-Columbia who studied Elementary Education, it's pretty clear that there’s a strong emphasis on teaching positions, especially in public schools. Many graduates landed roles as teachers in various grade levels, which makes total sense considering their degree focus. These teaching jobs actively utilize the educational theories and pedagogical skills learned during their college years. Positions like Fourth Grade Teacher, Second Grade Teacher, and even Substitute Teacher directly align with the training they received and highlight their relevance to the degree. For instance, being a teacher at Parkway Schools or Acero Schools involves daily applications of what they learned about child development and lesson planning.

However, not all jobs were directly related to elementary education, which raises some interesting points. Some graduates found themselves in roles like Business Development Manager or Marketing Director—positions that don’t really tap into their teaching skills at all. In these cases, it feels like they either ventured into unrelated fields or transitioned into jobs that make use of broad skills, like communication and organizational abilities. There are also some jobs like Talent Acquisition Specialist that somewhat touch on education but primarily lean towards HR tasks rather than teaching. So, while a good number of alumni went into relevant teaching roles, a surprising chunk seemed to veer off into other industries, showing a mixed bag in terms of how closely their jobs relate to elementary education.

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 University of Missouri-Columbia):

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

When looking at graduates from the University of Missouri-Columbia with degrees in Elementary Education, it’s clear that many of them have launched careers that are closely tied to teaching and education. For new graduates, the most common first job tends to be as an elementary school teacher in various districts, where they often stay for several years. For instance, many graduates from the Class of 2012 and 2015 have remained in teaching roles, sometimes for nearly a decade. A significant number demonstrate a commitment to the field, taking on roles that extend beyond the classroom, such as administrative positions or educational development roles within educational bodies.

However, there’s also a noticeable trend among some graduates to diverge from direct education roles as time goes on. For instance, graduates from 2017 and 2020 showcase a mix of educational roles and a shift into business or marketing positions after several years in the classroom. This suggests that while many graduates start off strong in elementary education, some eventually transition into different fields altogether, perhaps driven by personal interests or market opportunities. Overall, the career trajectories reveal a solid foundation in teaching with various pathways leading some away from education, highlighting the versatility of an elementary education degree.

How hard is a Elementary Education degree from University of Missouri-Columbia?

Honestly, pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education at the University of Missouri-Columbia—or really anywhere—can be a mixed bag. It’s not the easiest path, but it’s not the hardest either. You’ll have to juggle your coursework, which includes learning about child development, teaching strategies, and educational psychology, alongside practical experiences like student teaching. While some people find the hands-on stuff engaging and rewarding, others might find the rigorous academic side challenging, like writing lesson plans or doing research projects. Overall, it's a pretty manageable degree if you're passionate about teaching and willing to put in the effort, but it definitely comes with its own set of challenges.

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 University of Missouri-Columbia tend to make good money?

Looking at these graduates from the University of Missouri-Columbia, it’s kind of a mixed bag when it comes to their earnings. The first grad who jumped into marketing roles seems to have scored some decent pay considering the progression into director-level positions—definitely a step up financially. On the other hand, most of the others, especially the teachers, likely started with pretty standard teaching salaries, which aren't typically high, especially in the early years of their careers. Some did switch things up later, like moving into business roles or marketing, which could potentially boost their income. Overall, it looks like some have found ways to climb the pay ladder, while others are still grinding it out as teachers, which doesn’t always offer the best financial rewards. So, it really depends on the path they chose post-graduation!

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 University of Missouri-Columbia). 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