What can you do with a Film, Cinema and Video Studies degree from San Francisco State University?

First, some facts. Of the Film, Cinema and Video Studies graduates from San Francisco State 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 21 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 51%, Film, Cinema and Video Studies graduates from San Francisco State University have a much lower likelihood (-16%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 51%
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 4% 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 Film, Cinema and Video Studies graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random Film, Cinema and Video Studies graduate from San Francisco State University and our analysis:


Relevance score: 12%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2020 from San Francisco State University with a Bachelor of Arts - BA in Film, Cinema and Video Studies. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Team Member
Whole Foods Market
Mar 2021 - Feb 2022
Working as a team member at Whole Foods Market does not require any specific knowledge or skills related to film, cinema, and video studies, making it unrelated to the Bachelor's degree.

Server/Bartender
Hotel Wilshire, a Kimpton Hotel
Feb 2022 - May 2023
The role of server/bartender at Hotel Wilshire may involve some level of interpersonal communication and customer interaction that could be influenced by skills developed in a film or media context, but it does not primarily utilize film studies knowledge.

Runner
Employees Only LA
Oct 2021 - Present
As a runner at Employees Only LA, this position does not engage with any film or cinematic knowledge or skills, focusing instead on food service tasks that are unrelated to the individual's degree in film, cinema, and video studies.

ABOUT

Passionate creative seeking a position that will financially support artistic goals.

What jobs can you get with a Film, Cinema and Video Studies degree from San Francisco State 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 profiles of people who graduated with a degree in Film, Cinema, and Video Studies from San Francisco State University, it’s clear that there’s a mix of roles that are directly linked to film and video production and others that stray far from that path. Many graduates have found themselves in positions like Video Editor or Production Assistant, which directly utilize the skills acquired during their studies. For example, roles such as Junior Video Editor, Senior Videographer, and Associate Video Producer are solid fits for their educational background and often allow them to put their creative skills into practice. In the editing and production spheres, it seems like these graduates are actively involved in tasks that engage their film knowledge.

On the other hand, there are quite a few graduates who have ended up in jobs that aren't very relevant to their film studies. Positions like Administrative Assistant or Project Manager don’t really tap into the film-specific skills that one would expect from someone who spent years studying cinema. Even roles like Rental Technician or Brand Quality Assurance, while they may require a passing awareness of media, don’t demand the deeper understanding of film techniques or storytelling that the degree provides. Overall, while there’s a noteworthy number of graduates working in fields that are aligned with their education, a significant portion has veered into roles that don't leverage their film expertise, highlighting a fundamental gap between higher education and job market demands in creative fields.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Film, Cinema and Video Studies graduates (this is across all Film, Cinema and Video Studies graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to San Francisco State University):

What kind of career trajectories do Film, Cinema and Video Studies graduates from San Francisco State University have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

When you look at the career paths of graduates from the Film, Cinema, and Video Studies program at San Francisco State University, there's a bit of a mixed bag. Many students seem to start off with jobs that are at least somewhat related to the film and media industry, like video editors, production assistants, and various technical roles. For those who graduated around 2013 to 2016, a common trajectory saw them transitioning from entry-level positions like rental technicians or content monitors into more focused roles as they gained experience, such as videography or editing. Some of them have managed to find stable careers in media companies or have even moved into higher-level production roles, which is promising!

However, as time goes on—especially for those graduating more recently—you start to see a larger shift where some graduates are venturing into completely unrelated fields. Many hold positions that don't really connect to their degree, like project managers or administrative assistants, or even jobs in retail and hospitality. It's encouraging to see some individuals carve out careers in filmmaking or media production, while others appear to struggle to find solid footing in their field. Overall, while there's a fair number of graduates doing well in the film and media sectors, a significant portion ends up in unrelated careers, which might be a reality check for anyone considering this path.

How hard is a Film, Cinema and Video Studies degree from San Francisco State University?

So, getting a Bachelor’s degree in Film, Cinema and Video Studies can be a bit of a mixed bag, honestly. At places like San Francisco State University, you’ll definitely dive deep into film theory, production, and maybe even some cool editing techniques. It’s not necessarily super easy because you'll have to stay creative, juggle projects, and meet deadlines, but if you're passionate and enjoy storytelling, it can feel more like fun than actual work. Just know that it can get intense with project deadlines and critiques, but if you're ready to put in the effort and really engage with your craft, it can be a rewarding experience. Overall, it’s probably around average in terms of difficulty, but it really depends on how much you love what you’re doing!

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 Film, Cinema and Video Studies.

Do Film, Cinema and Video Studies graduates from San Francisco State University tend to make good money?

Alright, so checking out these San Francisco State University Film and Video Studies grads, it looks like they’ve had a mix of experiences and job titles in the industry. A lot of them started with internships or entry-level positions, which is pretty common when you're breaking into a creative field. It seems like some have climbed the ladder successfully, especially those landing roles as senior editors or managers, which typically pay better. However, many folks appear to be juggling freelance gigs or part-time jobs, which can make the income pretty inconsistent. Overall, while some seem to be on a solid path to making decent money, others might still be working on building their careers and could be earning less, especially early on in their journeys. It's a bit of a mixed bag, to be honest!

What buzzwords do Film, Cinema and Video Studies 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 Film, Cinema and Video Studies (this is across all Film, Cinema and Video Studies graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to San Francisco State University). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Film, Cinema and Video Studies?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Film, Cinema and Video Studies (ordered by the average relevance score of their Film, Cinema and Video Studies graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count
New York University 73 17
Full Sail University 57 34
Georgia State University 56 15
San Francisco State University 51 21
Columbia College Chicago 50 22
University of Central Florida 48 10
California State University, Fullerton 47 11
University of North Carolina at Wilmington 31 10