What can you do with a General Studies degree from Eastern Illinois University?

First, some facts. Of the General Studies graduates from Eastern 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 12 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 59%, General Studies graduates from Eastern Illinois University have a lower likelihood (-8%) 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.

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Also, after graduating, 41% 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 General Studies graduate.

See the details:

• What jobs can you get with a General Studies degree from Eastern Illinois University?
• What do General Studies graduates from Eastern Illinois University do 1, 5 or 10 years out?
• How hard is a General Studies degree from Eastern Illinois University? How long does it take?
• How much money can you make with a General Studies degree from Eastern Illinois University?
• What are the best colleges for General Studies?

View a random General Studies graduate from Eastern Illinois 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 2016 from Eastern Illinois University with a Bachelor's Degree in General Studies. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION Senior Data Administrator Pactiv Evergreen Inc. Sep 2017 - Mar 2021 As a Senior Data Administrator, this position directly utilizes specific data management and analytical skills likely developed during the General Studies bachelors degree, making it highly relevant. Data Analyst Pactiv Evergreen Inc. Mar 2021 - Present The role of Data Analyst also requires strong analytical and statistical skills that align well with the foundational knowledge obtained in a General Studies program, ensuring high relevance to the degree. ABOUT Flexible and versatile Business Analyst specializing in developing innovative solutions to organizational problems. Advanced knowledge of many platforms of SAP, highly qualified, detail-oriented and hardworking with more than 12 years of experience. Proficient in research, integrations, and client relations. Expert computing and technology skills including competence in multiple software applications. Manage, create, and update within Oracle CRM including utilizing Duns&Bradstreet for address confirmation.Experience includes handling master data and maintaining per audit instruction. Skills also include business analysis, reporting, extracting, and loading of data through SAP, Winshuttle, BW, and Excel. Excellent communications skills, and possess strong organizational and follow up skills. Able to recognize and resolve technical issues effecting productivity. Work well as a team or independently. Skilled to adapt to changing requirements.Researched and processed all inbound EDI 810, 850, and 855s; reviewed error reports and monitoring of daily logs communicated with both internal teams and external vendors to solve issues or problems. Continuously monitored EDI specifications and identify enhancements, maintaining/implementing changes and incorporate new business rules and processesCollaborated between trading partners and synchronize product catalogs and transactional data in real-time, ensuring that everything is reconciled including maintenance of all data being updated and removed.

What jobs can you get with a General Studies degree from Eastern Illinois University?

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

• Claim Team Manager
• Support Coordinator
• Customer Service Representative
• Office Support Associate
• Office Manager
• Recruiting Coordinator/Administrative Aide
• Business Administrative Associate
• Claims Specialist - Property Damage
• Agent Intern
• State Farm Agent

After analyzing the jobs that graduates from Eastern Illinois University with a degree in General Studies have landed, it looks like many have gravitated towards roles in social services, project management, and administrative positions. Positions like Case Coordinator, Support Coordinator, and even roles in management in various businesses suggest that these grads often leverage the interpersonal and organizational skills they gained from their general studies. Many jobs, especially those in social services, directly connect back to what they learned during their time in college, making them pretty relevant to their degree.

However, not all of the positions were closely related to General Studies. Some graduates found themselves in roles that focused more on technical skills or specific industries, like data administration and claims management, which, while they may require some general skills, don't really pull from the core competencies of a General Studies education. It's a mixed bag: sure, quite a few are using their degree in meaningful ways, but there are definitely instances where the ties are a bit looser. Overall, while many jobs fit well with a General Studies background, there's still a fair portion where the connection isn't as strong.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for General Studies graduates (this is across all General Studies graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Eastern Illinois University):

What kind of career trajectories do General Studies graduates from Eastern Illinois University have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

It looks like graduates with a General Studies degree from Eastern Illinois University have taken on a pretty diverse range of careers, especially in fields like education, healthcare, and administration. Many of the early career jobs right after graduation seem to be support roles, like customer service representatives or administrative assistants, which is not uncommon for recent grads. These entry-level positions provide a way to gain experience and network in various sectors. For example, many graduates worked at the University of Illinois in different capacities, possibly leveraging their education to transition into higher-level positions within educational institutions.

As we look five to ten years down the line, we see that a good number of these graduates have moved into managerial or specialized roles, suggesting they’ve established themselves in their fields. Some have stepped up to project leadership at universities, while others have moved into healthcare management or technical support roles. While there are some who appear to have shifted to unrelated paths, like customer service and operations, overall, it seems like many have carved out successful and relevant careers that align with the flexible skill set that a General Studies degree offers. So, it’s safe to say that while the journey may vary, there are definitely positive outcomes for many of these grads in their professional lives.

How hard is a General Studies degree from Eastern Illinois University?

Getting a Bachelor’s degree in General Studies at Eastern Illinois University is usually considered to be on the easier side compared to more specialized degrees. It’s designed to give you a broad education, allowing you to take a variety of courses across different fields, which means you can often pick classes that interest you and fit your strengths. While there are still challenges, like completing general education requirements and creating a cohesive plan of study, the flexibility of the program can make it more manageable for many students. So if you’re looking for a degree that offers a little less pressure and lets you explore different subjects, General Studies might just be the way to go!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 2 years to finish a Bachelor degree in General Studies.

Do General Studies graduates from Eastern Illinois University tend to make good money?

Alright, so when you look at these overall job paths, it’s a mixed bag in terms of salaries. Many of them landed positions in the public sector or in community-oriented roles, which typically don’t pay as much as jobs in tech or business, but they provide a lot of stability and benefits. For example, some people have climbed the ladder in places like the University of Illinois, which usually offers decent pay but isn’t necessarily breaking the bank. The State Farm folks might be making bank since insurance jobs can pay pretty well once you get into management. On the other hand, a few seem to have bounced around a lot or started in more entry-level roles, so it’s likely their earnings fluctuate quite a bit. Overall, it seems like a good number of them have stable careers, but not all are raking in the big bucks just yet!

What buzzwords do General 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 General Studies (this is across all General Studies graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Eastern Illinois University). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for General Studies?

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

College	Score	Count
Southeastern Louisiana University	69	10
University of Louisiana at Lafayette	62	16
Western Illinois University	59	10
Eastern Illinois University	59	12
University of North Texas	58	14
Eastern Kentucky University	57	13
University of Central Oklahoma	55	15
Texas Woman's University	53	10
Southern New Hampshire University	52	17
Columbia College	45	18
Ball State University	34	11