What can you do with a Film, Cinema and Video Studies degree from University of North Carolina at Wilmington?

First, some facts. Of the Film, Cinema and Video Studies graduates from University of North Carolina at Wilmington 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? Horrible! Overall, with an average relevance score of 31%, Film, Cinema and Video Studies graduates from University of North Carolina at Wilmington have an exceptionally lower likelihood (-36%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 31%
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 10% 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 University of North Carolina at Wilmington and our analysis:


Relevance score: 5%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2019 from University of North Carolina at Wilmington with a Bachelor of Arts - BA in Film, Cinema and Video Studies. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Disney College Program
Walt Disney World
Jun 2019 - Jan 2020
The Disney College Program may involve some aspects of entertainment and customer experience relevant to film studies, but it does not primarily utilize the specific skills and knowledge acquired from a BA in Film, Cinema and Video Studies.

Receptionist
The Spa at Merle Norman
Feb 2020 - Oct 2020
The role of a receptionist at a spa does not require any specialized knowledge or skills from a film studies background, focusing instead on customer service and administrative tasks.

Administrative Assistant
Wilson, Jones, & Griffin, PA
Oct 2020 - Sep 2022
The position of Administrative Assistant involves general office skills and does not utilize any specific film-related knowledge or skills from the bachelor's degree.

Leasing Consultant
Monarch Investment and Management Group
Sep 2022 - Present
The Leasing Consultant role centers on property management and sales, which does not draw on the specific skills or knowledge from a Film, Cinema and Video Studies degree, making it unrelated.

ABOUT

I have a Bachelor of Arts - BA focused in Film/Cinema/Video Studies from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. I have experience in the entertainment industry, having worked for Visions Film Festival & Conference as a student at UNC Wilmington and I participated in the Disney College Program in Orlando, Florida. I am skilled in Microsoft Office, Google Suite, Adobe Photoshop, customer relations, and hospitality. I am a dependable team player with strong communication skills and an eagerness to learn.

What jobs can you get with a Film, Cinema and Video Studies degree from University of North Carolina at Wilmington?

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


After analyzing the careers of graduates from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington with a degree in Film, Cinema, and Video Studies, it’s clear that there’s a mix of job relevance across the board. Many seem to have ventured into fields that stray far from their studies, landing roles like Store Manager or Client Support Analyst, which don’t utilize the specific skills they learned in film school. For those who did find their way back to film-related positions, roles like Production Assistant, Director’s Assistant, or Extras Casting Associate show that some graduates managed to hold onto aspects of their film education. But even within these roles, the connection to their degree isn’t always strong or consistent.

In a nutshell, while a handful of graduates have secured jobs directly tied to film production, many have ended up in completely unrelated fields, indicating a challenging job market for film majors or perhaps a need to adapt their skills to various industries. It paints a picture of a diverse career journey rather than a straight path into the film industry. So for those with an interest in film, it might be worth considering how to blend those skills with other career options if you want to keep your choices broad and flexible after graduation!

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 University of North Carolina at Wilmington):

What kind of career trajectories do Film, Cinema and Video Studies graduates from University of North Carolina at Wilmington have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

Based on the profiles of graduates from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington who studied Film, Cinema, and Video Studies, it seems like they have taken quite a mixed path after graduation. For many, the first jobs after college tend to be in production assistant roles, with some landing exciting opportunities with well-known studios like 20th Century Fox and Sony Pictures. This indicates that for a handful of graduates, the initial steps in their careers are directly aligned with their studies, allowing them to gain relevant experience in the film industry.

However, as time goes on, the trajectory seems to become a bit less focused on film and more varied. While some graduates are still involved in film and media roles after five or ten years—such as audio operators or production assistants—there's a noticeable shift with others moving into quite different fields, like retail management and administrative roles. For instance, one graduate who started as a production assistant ended up managing a paint store, which is definitely not the glamorous film career many might envision. So, while some alumni find success in relevant careers, others seem to drift away from the industry altogether, highlighting a mix of experiences that are both promising and a bit discouraging for those who hoped to stick closely to film.

How hard is a Film, Cinema and Video Studies degree from University of North Carolina at Wilmington?

Honestly, pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Film, Cinema and Video Studies at UNCW can be a mix of fun and challenge, but I wouldn’t say it’s super easy or crazy hard—it really depends on your passion and commitment. If you love storytelling, analyzing films, and getting creative with projects, you might find the coursework engaging and enjoyable. You’ll likely have to dive into everything from film theory to production work, which means you’ll be doing a decent amount of reading, writing, and hands-on projects. Some people might find the creative aspects refreshing, while others could struggle with the deadlines and critiques. Overall, it’s a pretty solid program, but like anything, it takes effort and dedication to really shine.

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 University of North Carolina at Wilmington tend to make good money?

Looking at the career paths of these UNCW Film/Video Studies grads, it seems like most of them are finding their way, but it’s a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to making decent money. The ones who moved into sales and management positions, like the Store Manager at Sherwin Williams, probably have a more stable income compared to others stuck in more entry-level production roles. A lot of the early jobs are pretty typical for the industry—think low pay and long hours—as they start out as assistants or PAs, which often doesn’t pay great. Some have pivoted into different fields, like teaching or even emergency services, which likely offer more stable salaries than the film industry. So yeah, while some are doing okay, others might be feeling the financial crunch, especially early in their careers.

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 University of North Carolina at Wilmington). 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