What can you do with a Journalism degree from Michigan State University?

First, some facts. Of the Journalism graduates from Michigan 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 17 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Slightly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 68%, Journalism graduates from Michigan State University have a slightly higher likelihood (+1%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 68%
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 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 Journalism graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random Journalism graduate from Michigan State University and our analysis:


Relevance score: 58%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2019 from Michigan State University with a Bachelor's degree in Journalism. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Reporting Intern
HOMTV
May 2019 - Aug 2019
As a Reporting Intern at HOMTV, the role directly utilizes journalism skills and knowledge acquired during the Bachelor's program, requiring specific reporting and writing competencies.

Marketing Intern
Allied Global Marketing
Jan 2019 - Mar 2020
The Marketing Intern role at Allied Global Marketing involves communication and promotional skills that are somewhat related to journalism, but it does not require the core journalism skills to be the primary focus of the job.

Writer
Baller Alert, Inc.
Nov 2019 - Jun 2020
The Writer position at Baller Alert, Inc. relies heavily on journalism skills such as writing, research, and reporting, all of which are central to the Bachelor's in Journalism.

Celebrity Tour Guide
TMZ
Jul 2021 - Present
The Celebrity Tour Guide position at TMZ may involve some reporting and storytelling aspects, but it is more focused on entertainment and tourism rather than core journalism skills, making it only tangentially related to the degree.

ABOUT

In my time at Michigan State University, I trained in several areas in the communications field that includes broadcasting, camera operation, media production, strong writing & investigative reporting skills, video editing and marketing. I also have excellent presentations across both air and digital platforms. I had the opportunity to intern at both Allied Global Marketing where I gained experience in research marketing opportunities by promoting films represented by the company and HOMTV, a government access television channel where I was a reporter, host and anchor. I also worked for the Detroit Free Press as a freelance reporter where I interviewed the cast of Tyler Perry's hit television show, The Haves and Have Nots. My objective is to join a multimedia organization where I can utilize my journalism, excellent writing, organizational and creative skills.

What jobs can you get with a Journalism degree from Michigan 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 career paths of Michigan State University journalism graduates, it's pretty clear that there's a mix of roles out there. A good number of them have gone into positions like reporters, editors, and content creators where they've been able to flex their journalism skills, such as writing, research, and storytelling. Jobs like that—such as the Freelance Writer role at The Macomb Daily or the Reporter roles at various news outlets—are super relevant and clearly align with what you’d expect from a journalism degree. However, there’s also quite a significant chunk of graduates who veered off toward marketing, communications, and public relations roles. While some aspects of these jobs use the communication skills taught in a journalism program, they often don’t involve the core competencies of journalism itself. Positions like Social Media Strategist or Marketing Communications Manager highlight how versatile journalism skills can be, but they aren't as specific to journalism as traditional reporting or multimedia roles. So, overall, while many graduates are definitely in relevant journalism roles, a fair number seem to be applying their skills in less direct ways, focusing more on marketing or communications fields.

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

What kind of career trajectories do Journalism graduates from Michigan State University have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

Looking at the career trajectories of Michigan State University journalism graduates, it seems like many people start out in roles that are somewhat related to journalism right after graduation. For instance, first jobs often include internships or entry-level positions in communications, social media, or marketing. Some folks land gigs as reporters or in public relations, which generally keeps them in the writing and content creation space. However, as they move along their careers, there's a noticeable shift. Many graduates veer into marketing or communications roles that, while they still involve writing and media skills, aren't strictly journalism. For some, it appears that the initial passion for journalism evolves into broader communication or managerial roles in various fields.

Fast forward five to ten years, and you'll see a mix of successful paths and different career directions. Some graduates remain in journalism, climbing the ladder to become editors, producers, or even executives in news media. Others transition into roles like project managers, marketing specialists, or even graphic design positions, indicating a diversification of skills and interests among alumni. Overall, while a good number of these graduates are doing well in fields relevant to journalism, there are also those who have moved into less traditional media roles, which suggests that the degree allows for flexibility in career choices. So, while it’s a solid foundation for journalism careers, be prepared for the possibility that your path might take some unexpected turns!

How hard is a Journalism degree from Michigan State University?

Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism at Michigan State University is pretty standard in terms of difficulty compared to other schools. You’ll have your fair share of tough classes, especially when it comes to learning the ins and outs of media law, ethics, and really honing your writing and reporting skills. It’s definitely not a walk in the park, but if you’re passionate about storytelling and willing to put in the effort, you'll find it manageable. Plus, MSU has solid resources and a supportive community that makes it easier to get through. So, if you’re motivated and ready to hustle, it can be a rewarding experience!

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 Journalism.

Do Journalism graduates from Michigan State University tend to make good money?

Looking at these Michigan State journalism grads, it seems like they've had a pretty decent range of job prospects, but their salaries likely vary a lot based on their roles and experience. Many started off in internships or entry-level positions, which typically don't pay that well, but they've gradually climbed into more specialized or managerial roles. For example, while some have worked their way up to important positions like a Chief Deputy Press Secretary or a Marketing Communication Manager, others are still in fairly junior roles or have taken on freelance gigs, which can be hit or miss in terms of steady income. Overall, it looks like some are probably doing quite well, especially those in government or established media, but others might still be working to make a name for themselves and secure a solid paycheck.

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

What are the best colleges for Journalism?

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

College Score Count
Northwestern University 84 22
Ithaca College 77 11
Northeastern University 76 10
University of Maryland College Park 75 11
University of Houston 74 11
The University of Georgia 74 11
The University of Texas at Austin 70 21
Colorado State University 69 13
University of Missouri-Columbia 69 26
Boston University 69 12
University of Florida 68 29
Michigan State University 68 17
Ohio University 68 17
Hofstra University 68 10
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities 63 10
San Jose State University 62 12
University of Oregon 62 31
Penn State University 61 16
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo 61 10
Indiana University Bloomington 58 26
San Francisco State University 58 16
Temple University 57 26
University of North Texas 56 10
Columbia College Chicago 56 16
West Virginia University 54 10
The University of Kansas 52 16
Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Georgia 51 10
Georgia State University 49 34
University of Arizona 48 15
University of Oklahoma 41 12