First, some facts. Of the Information Technology graduates from Western Governors 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 76 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 75%, Information Technology graduates from Western Governors University have a higher 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.
Also, after graduating, only 17% 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 Information Technology graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.
See the details:
Relevance score: 71%We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2019 from Western Governors University with a Bachelor of Science - BS in Information Technology. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONAccount Sales RepresentativeHighly Marelli USA, Inc. Feb 2021 - Feb 2022 Senior Project Manager Champ IT Solutions, Inc. Feb 2022 - Jul 2022 IT Project Manager Consolidated Utility District of Rutherford County Jul 2022 - Present ABOUTSenior IT Project Manager with 11 years of experience primarily in the healthcare and manufacturing industries that includes ERP implementation, production support and gathering business requirements. Skilled at cross functional relationship building, problem solving and excellent communication in both face-to-face and virtual settings. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When looking at the career paths of graduates from Western Governors University with a degree in Information Technology, we can see a wide array of job titles. Many of these positions directly relate to IT and utilize the skills acquired during their studies. Common roles include System Administrator, IT Specialist, Network Administrator, and various management positions like IT Manager. These jobs heavily rely on the core competencies taught in an Information Technology degree, such as understanding systems, networks, and technical support.
However, not every job appears to be directly aligned with their degree. Positions like Project Manager or roles in sales and real estate (e.g., Real Estate Agent) seem to have less relevance to the IT curriculum. While some could argue that soft skills like project management are beneficial, they don’t leverage the hard technical skills and knowledge gained from an Information Technology program. This suggests a mixed bag, where most alumni are securing roles that utilize their IT expertise, but there are notable exceptions where they venture into fields that don't directly correlate with their education.
In conclusion, graduates from Western Governors University with a degree in Information Technology often find themselves in highly relevant career paths that capitalize on their technical training. While some roles diverge from typical IT responsibilities, the overall trend showcases a strong correlation between their education and their job functions. So, if you're thinking about pursuing a degree in Information Technology, it seems like a path that can definitely lead to related and rewarding job opportunities.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Information Technology graduates (this is across all Information Technology graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Western Governors University):
When we take a look at the career trajectories of graduates from Western Governors University (WGU) who have pursued degrees in Information Technology, we notice some interesting patterns. Right after graduation, many of these individuals tend to secure their first jobs in positions that focus on IT support and system administration. Common roles include desktop support analysts, help desk technicians, and IT specialists. This is pretty typical in the IT field, as these frontline positions allow new graduates to gain essential hands-on experience and develop their technical skills in real-world settings. The focus on entry-level roles right after graduation suggests that these graduates are beginning their careers on solid ground, equipped with the foundational knowledge they gained during their studies.
Fast forward five or ten years, and it's impressive to see how many of these graduates have progressed into more senior or specialized roles. Many have transitioned into positions like system administrators, IT managers, and cybersecurity analysts. We even see some who have made significant strides to leadership roles, such as directors and executives in the tech sector. The variety of positions held over the years indicates a positive trend towards career growth and advancement. For instance, some graduates have moved from being support engineers to becoming IT operations managers or project leaders. This shows that WGU graduates are not only staying within the IT field but are also climbing the professional ladder, thus validating the value of their education and the relevance of their degrees in the job market.
However, there are a few outliers in this profile. Some graduates have veered off into fields not directly related to IT, like real estate or paralegal work, while others have struggled to maintain a consistent career path in tech, bouncing around between various roles without a clear upward trajectory. These exceptions highlight that while many graduates do find fruitful careers, there are some who may not have leveraged their degree as effectively. Overall, though, it's evident that a significant number of WGU Information Technology graduates enjoy stable and rewarding careers in tech, which is a strong endorsement of their education and the skills they gained along the way.
Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology at Western Governors University (WGU) can be a mixed bag in terms of difficulty. WGU is known for its flexible, self-paced learning model, which means you can move as fast as you're able to grasp the materials, so if you’re pretty tech-savvy and motivated, you might find it easier than a traditional program where you have to keep to a strict schedule. However, it’s worth noting that some of the topics can get pretty complex, especially when you dive into areas like networking, databases, and cybersecurity. If you’re passionate about tech and willing to put in the work, it can definitely be manageable, but don’t underestimate the amount of effort you'll need to put in to really understand what you're learning!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 3 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Information Technology.
Alright, so let’s break this down. If you look at the job progression for these IT grads from Western Governors University, you'll notice a pretty solid trend. Many of them have started in entry-level positions like desktop support or technicians, which is totally normal in the IT field. However, what’s interesting is that a lot of them quickly moved into more advanced roles, such as systems administrator or IT manager, and even some high-ranking positions like CEO and director-level jobs. This suggests that they’re not only gaining valuable experience but also climbing up the career ladder relatively quickly. Generally, companies in tech tend to pay pretty well, especially for management and specialized roles. So, it’s safe to say that many of these folks are probably making decent money, particularly as they advance in their careers.
On the flip side, there are some who seem to have taken on a mix of roles that are less consistent or a bit scattered, like those switching between IT and real estate or other sectors. These transitions might point to a struggle in finding a stable tech job or simply a desire to pursue different interests, which can sometimes dilute their earning potential in the IT field. But overall, it looks like many of these graduates are on a promising path, especially those who stuck to IT-focused careers. They likely have a strong earning potential and are building a solid future for themselves in the ever-growing tech landscape.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Information Technology (this is across all Information Technology graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Western Governors University). This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Information Technology (ordered by the average relevance score of their Information Technology graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates: