What can you do with a Integrated Marketing Communications degree?

First, some facts. Of the Integrated Marketing Communications graduates 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 79 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 60%, Integrated Marketing Communications graduates have a lower likelihood (-7%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 60%
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 21% 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 Integrated Marketing Communications graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random Integrated Marketing Communications graduate and our analysis:


Relevance score: 50%

We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2023 from University of Mississippi with a Bachelor's degree in Integrated Marketing Communications. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Photographer
The Walt Disney Company
Jan 2024 - Present
While the role of a Photographer at The Walt Disney Company may involve creative skills that can be enhanced through Integrated Marketing Communications, it does not directly utilize the specific core qualifications of the degree on a daily basis.

ABOUT

Hello my name is [NAME REMOVED] Sassano and I just received my Bachelors degree in Integrated Marketing Communications with a Minor in General Business and a specialization in Social Media from the University of Mississippi this May 2023. Throughout the past couple of years I have worked with my sororitys social media accounts. I helped make graphics and take photos of members. I also worked with our chapters philanthropy, Read Lead Achieve. I went to local elementary schools in Oxford and read to the kids to help educate them in literacy. As I look toward the future, I am very excited to utilize my skills and talents that I have learned throughout my college career. While looking into your business, I know that my talents will compliment your Social Media Marketing Industry. I would be more than grateful to hear your feedback and any advice I may need.

What jobs can you get with a Integrated Marketing Communications degree?

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


When we look through the resumes of people who have studied Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC), we can see a wide array of jobs they’ve taken up afterward. Some of these roles are directly related to marketing, media, and communication strategies, while others venture off into completely different realms like law or operations management. It’s kind of interesting to note that a significant number of graduates have landed jobs that actually utilize their IMC skills, primarily in marketing and related fields. However, many others have jobs that don't quite leverage the full potential of what their degree offers.

From the analysis, it appears that one of the most common job types for IMC graduates is Marketing Coordinator or Specialist roles. These positions tend to directly apply the skills they learned in school, such as executing marketing campaigns, managing events, and utilizing social media effectively. Notable examples come from graduates who have held roles like Marketing/Event Coordinator or Marketing Specialist, where they can apply their knowledge of marketing strategies and communications daily. Even roles like Digital Marketing Analyst or Social Media Manager fit snugly within this category, reaffirming that many graduates find their way into positions that align with their studies.

However, not all jobs listed are fully relevant to Integrated Marketing Communications. For instance, several individuals took roles in the legal field or customer service that relied less on their IMC training. Positions like Legal Intern at a District Attorney's Office, or Sales Representative roles, don’t quite reflect the knowledge and skills developed in an IMC program. This reflection poses an honest question about the pathways that these graduates have chosen. While they certainly can utilize soft skills from their degree, like communication and organization, the core marketing principles may remain unused in those contexts. Therefore, while many of these graduates find roles that connect to their education, a considerable number veer towards jobs that only loosely tie back to their Integrated Marketing Communications training.

Overall, while there is a strong showing for IMC-related jobs focused on marketing and communications, it’s clear that there’s a substantial diversity in employment outcomes. Graduates are pursuing varied paths, and while some find perfect alignment with their IMC skills, others embark on more tangential journeys that stray from their studies. The data suggests that while the IMC degree provides valuable tools, the job market may not always align perfectly with these specialized skills, leaving some graduates to navigate roles not immediately relevant to their educational foundation.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Integrated Marketing Communications graduates:

What kind of career trajectories do Integrated Marketing Communications graduates have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

Alright, let’s dive into the diverse career trajectories of graduates in Integrated Marketing Communications. From what we see, early on, right after graduation, many of these individuals land jobs that either directly relate to marketing and communications or are tangentially close, like internships or entry-level positions. For instance, roles like Marketing Coordinators, Event Planners, and Marketing Specialists pop up frequently. It’s kind of like they’re getting their foot in the door of the industry they studied hard for. Some even take an entrepreneurial route right away, starting their own businesses, which shows that they’re not just waiting around to get hired by someone else; they’re ready to take charge and create their own opportunities.

Now, if we look a bit further down the line, say five to ten years after graduation, we see a mixed bag. On one hand, a lot of folks have climbed up the ladder in their respective fields, landing higher-level roles like Digital Marketing Managers, Social Media Directors, or Marketing Consultants. This is a pretty solid sign that their initial education and early job experience paid off, allowing them to develop and showcase their skills over time. On the other hand, there are quite a few who seem to have drifted away from their marketing roots, veering into entirely different careers by taking various paths that might not even relate to what they studied. This could denote a couple of things: either they realized marketing wasn’t their thing, or the job market just led them down a different path. Overall, it’s a bit of a rollercoaster – there are certainly success stories, but also tales of folks not quite finding their niche in Integrated Marketing Communications.

In conclusion, it looks like a degree in Integrated Marketing Communications can indeed open doors, leading to some promising careers. While many graduates start well aligned with their studies, the long-term outcomes vary. Some become highly successful within the field, while others take on very different roles. So, if you’re eyeing a career in this area, just remember that your first job doesn’t have to be your last, and there’s a lot of room to explore along the way! Just keep your skills sharp and don’t be afraid to pivot if needed.

How hard is a Integrated Marketing Communications degree?

A Bachelor's degree in Integrated Marketing Communications is generally considered to be on the easier side compared to some other majors, but that doesn't mean it's a walk in the park. You'll be diving into things like branding, advertising, and digital media, which can be super interesting and creative, but you’ll still need to keep up with assignments, group projects, and maybe a few stats or research methods classes. If you're someone who enjoys writing, working on campaigns, and being a part of team projects, you might find it pretty manageable, while others might struggle a bit more. Overall, it’s a degree that balances creativity with some analytical skills, so it really depends on your strengths and interests.

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 Integrated Marketing Communications.

Do Integrated Marketing Communications graduates tend to make good money?

Looking at the job histories of these Integrated Marketing Communications graduates, it seems like there’s a mixed bag when it comes to how well they’re making money. For instance, the ones who started strong, like the assistant district attorney or those in managerial roles at big companies, likely have pretty decent salaries, especially as they climb the ladder. On the flip side, some folks seem to be bouncing around in lower-tier positions or internships, which probably doesn’t pay all that great. Overall, it really depends on the specific career paths they chose and how quickly they moved up in their respective fields.

It’s pretty obvious that some of these graduates have secured solid positions that suggest they're doing well financially, especially those in corporate marketing or managerial roles. However, others appear to still be grinding through entry-level positions or mixed gigs, which might not bring in big bucks just yet. So, while a few are likely raking in the dough, others might still be working their way up. Starting salaries in marketing can vary widely, but it’s a field where you can definitely grow if you’re strategic about your career moves!

What buzzwords do Integrated Marketing Communications 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 Integrated Marketing Communications. This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Integrated Marketing Communications?

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

College Score Count
Ithaca College 74 12
University of Mississippi 69 23