What can you do with a Elementary Education degree from Western Kentucky University?

First, some facts. Of the Elementary Education graduates from Western Kentucky 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 12 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Slightly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 69%, Elementary Education graduates from Western Kentucky University have a slightly higher likelihood (+2%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 69%
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 33% 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 Western Kentucky 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 2018 from Western Kentucky University with a Bachelor of Applied Science - BASc in Elementary Education. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Teacher
Sumner County Schools
Feb 2018 - Present
As a Teacher at Sumner County Schools, the role directly applies the skills and knowledge acquired from the Bachelor's in Elementary Education, which is essential for effectively teaching and developing curricula for students.

ABOUT

Creative with a passion for serving people. Working in the education field for five years taught me to be a fast learner, kind hearted busy-bee and an organized multitasker. I want to help businesses grow on social media through marketing and branding. I have discovered the best growth comes through personal connects such as emotion, stories, and laughter. My experience with social media is to never stop evolving and growing. I want to learn and create new branding ideas for retail stores that connect the buyer to the company.

What jobs can you get with a Elementary Education degree from Western Kentucky University?

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


When taking a look at the job history of graduates from Western Kentucky University who pursued a degree in Elementary Education, it’s clear that teaching positions are the most common route. Many alumni work as elementary school teachers or in related roles, such as Early Childhood Education (ECE) teachers and English as a Second Language (ESL) instructors. These positions function directly with children and require a solid understanding of educational theories and practices, making them highly relevant to their education degree. It’s great to see that a significant number of graduates went on to roles like 2nd grade teacher or ECE teacher, which utilize their knowledge effectively in shaping young minds.

However, it's also important to note that not all graduates ended up in education-related jobs. A number of individuals took on roles in fields such as sales management, human resources, and logistics, which don't really tie back into their education background. While some of these positions might leverage soft skills like communication or leadership that can be beneficial in any job, they ultimately don't use the specific knowledge and techniques taught in Elementary Education. So, while teaching remains a strong path for these graduates, there’s a mix of relevance in their job choices, with a noticeable trend of straying into unrelated industries for some. Overall, it seems that the degree serves its purpose well for those dedicated to the teaching field, but there is certainly variation among career paths taken by graduates.

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 Kentucky University):

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

Looking at the career paths of graduates from Western Kentucky University with degrees in Elementary Education, it’s clear that many of them kickstart their careers in education-related roles. A significant number of graduates land their first jobs as teachers in local school districts right after graduation, which makes sense given their training and background. For instance, several alumni took teaching positions in Jefferson County Public Schools and Hardin County Schools within a year of graduating. This shows a strong alignment with their degree, indicating that many stay true to their educational roots.

However, as we look farther down the timeline—around 5 to 10 years post-graduation—it's a mixed bag. While some graduates remain in education, progressing from classroom teachers to specialized roles or administrative positions, others veer off into entirely different fields. For example, one graduate transitioned into management roles in corporate settings, and another explored HR and safety compliance, which strays from the typical educational trajectory. This suggests that while many find fulfillment and stability in teaching, others may explore diverse career paths, which isn't uncommon but definitely shows that a degree in Elementary Education can lead to various outcomes. Overall, while a good number of graduates stick with teaching, the broader career choices reflect a growing trend of exploring different fields, sometimes moving quite far from their original focus on education.

How hard is a Elementary Education degree from Western Kentucky University?

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education at Western Kentucky University isn’t super easy, but it’s not like climbing Mount Everest either. It’s pretty much on par with what you’d expect for education majors; there's a mix of classroom work, hands-on teaching experiences, and some coursework that can be a bit challenging, especially if you have to dive into child development theories and lesson planning. If you enjoy working with kids and are passionate about teaching, it can be really rewarding, but be ready to put in some serious effort, especially in your practicum and student teaching. So, if you’re thinking about it, just be prepared to stay organized and engaged!

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 Western Kentucky University tend to make good money?

Looking at the job history of these Western Kentucky University Elementary Education grads, it's a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to making decent money. Many of them started with typical teaching roles, which generally don't pay a ton, especially early in their careers. For example, the early educators like the teachers at Jefferson County Public Schools and Hardin County Schools probably aren't raking in the big bucks. However, some grads who ventured into management roles, like the regional sales manager and general manager positions, likely have seen a pretty significant salary jump. Overall, while a few seem to be on the path to better pay, many of the teachers are still in that lower salary range typical for education jobs. So, if you’re looking to make bank right away, teaching might not be the fastest route!

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 Western Kentucky 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