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First, some facts. Of the Elementary Education graduates from Western 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 11 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 78%, Elementary Education graduates from Western Illinois University have a much higher likelihood (+11%) 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, 45% 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:
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Relevance score: 100% We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2012 from Western Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Elementary Education. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONSubstitute Teacher Kirby School District 140 2012 - Jan 2014 4th Grade Teacher Dolton School District 148 Aug 2014 - Present ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
So, it looks like folks who graduated with a degree in Elementary Education from Western Illinois University have taken a pretty diverse path after college. While some have indeed lined up jobs that directly utilize their teaching skills, like being a Lead Teacher or a 4th Grade Teacher, there are quite a few who have ventured off into realms that don't really connect back to education at all. Positions in sales, marketing, consulting, and even project management seem to dominate the job titles that these graduates hold, which indicates that many may be applying skills from their education training in more generalized or managerial roles rather than working directly with young students.
In a nutshell, while there are definitely some grads out there fulfilling their calling as teachers, a significant number are finding themselves in jobs that don't directly relate to their studies in elementary education. This is not uncommon, though; many people with specialized degrees end up in roles where they can utilize soft skills like communication and organization rather than strictly educational knowledge. So, if you're thinking about what you might do after pursuing a degree in Elementary Education, just know that the possibilities are broad—just don't be surprised if you end up in a different field altogether!
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 Western Illinois University):
From analyzing the career paths of graduates with a degree in Elementary Education from Western Illinois University, it seems like many of them have followed a pretty promising trajectory that directly ties back to their studies. A lot of the graduates landed their first job right in the field of education, either as teachers or in roles closely related to teaching. For instance, numerous graduates began teaching positions shortly after graduation, progressing into roles that often involve more responsibility, like curriculum development or educational administration, within just a few years. This indicates that the majority were able to stay connected to the education sector, doing jobs that are aligned with what they studied.
Fast forward five to ten years, and while you see some people branching out into roles that might seem unrelated at first—like project administration or marketing—most are still in education or related fields. Several teachers have maintained long-term positions, some advancing to lead roles within their schools. While a small number have shifted careers, it’s clear that many who start in education tend to find their footing and stick with it. Overall, it looks like a significant number of graduates are carving out successful careers in education, which is pretty encouraging for anyone considering this degree!
Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education at Western Illinois University is pretty manageable, especially compared to some other majors. It’s designed to be both challenging and supportive, blending education theory with hands-on experience, so you get a good mix of coursework and practical teaching opportunities. You’ll definitely have some tough classes, but a lot of the work is about learning how to engage and teach younger kids, which can be pretty fun if you enjoy that kind of stuff. Overall, it’s not the easiest degree out there, but it’s not the hardest either—most students find they can handle it if they stay organized and passionate about teaching.
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 2 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Elementary Education.
Alright, so looking at these graduates from Western Illinois University, it seems like they’ve landed a mix of decent jobs, although the financial side isn’t super clear-cut. The ones who climbed the ranks in sales and marketing or advanced into consulting roles seem to have opportunities for better pay, especially the one who founded their own design studio—that's pretty ambitious and could be lucrative depending on success. On the other hand, many of the teachers are sticking with their roles, which can be fulfilling, but salaries in education often lag behind other fields. Overall, it looks like some are doing well in terms of salary and advancement, while others may be more on the modest side without much financial growth. So, it’s a mixed bag!
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 Western 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:
