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First, some facts. Of the Journalism graduates from Northwestern 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 22 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 84%, Journalism graduates from Northwestern University have a much higher likelihood (+17%) 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 9% 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:
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Relevance score: 50% We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2022 from Northwestern University with a Bachelor of Science - BS in Journalism. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONAnalyst Circana Jun 2022 - Apr 2024 Senior Analyst Circana Apr 2024 - Present ABOUTAfter graduating with Kappa Tau Alpha honors from Northwestern University with a BS and accelerated Master's degree in Journalism, I now work at Circana as a Growth Consulting Junior Associate. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When you look at the types of jobs that people with a Journalism degree from Northwestern University have ended up in, it’s pretty mixed. A lot of grads have landed roles like reporters, producers, and editors, which are super relevant to what they studied. Positions like Multimedia Journalist, Senior Editor, and even Producer at major news outlets really show how the skills they learned in school are directly applied in the real world. These roles often involve a lot of storytelling, research, and communication, which are skills central to journalism. It’s clear that several individuals have successfully transitioned into jobs where journalism is the main focus, making their degrees quite pertinent.
However, there’s a noticeable shift towards jobs that don’t always keep those journalism skills front and center. Many graduates have found themselves in roles that focus on marketing, public relations, or even administrative tasks where their journalism skills are hardly tapped into. Positions such as Executive Assistant, Social Media Specialist, and various copywriting roles appear more aligned with broader communication skills rather than specific journalistic practice. This shift could signal that while a Journalism degree provides a solid foundation, it doesn’t strictly pigeonhole grads into journalism roles exclusively. So, while there are plenty of success stories in traditional journalism, it’s clear that many also explore diverse career paths that may or may not embrace the essence of journalism as we typically think of it.
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 Northwestern University):
Graduates of Northwestern University’s Journalism program tend to follow diverse career paths, often beginning in entry-level positions that relate to media, reporting, and production. For many, the first job after graduation often involves roles like production assistant, reporter, or writing intern. It seems like graduates from around 2010 to 2013 commonly secured positions at notable media outlets or in production roles with significant companies like CNN or NBCUniversal soon after they graduated. In their first five years, many still remain within journalism or media, advancing to roles such as multimedia journalists or senior writers, while also some drift towards related fields like marketing and communications. It’s clear that early career opportunities build a robust foundation, and several graduates move up the ranks or pivot slightly into strategic planning or corporate communications.
Fast forward about ten years, and the trajectory looks promising overall. Many alumni have landed significant roles, such as executive producer, senior editor, or even directors of development in media companies. It shows that a solid number of these graduates have indeed carved out successful careers in fields closely tied to journalism. Of course, there are always some who branch off into different paths—like those entering consulting or other businesses—but it’s notable that many alumni retain their connection to the media world, which speaks to the strength of a Northwestern Journalism degree. Overall, while there are variations in career paths, a significant portion seems to thrive in journalism or related fields, showing that this program truly prepares its students well for the industry.
Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism at Northwestern University is definitely challenging, but it can be super rewarding too. Northwestern is known for its strong focus on hands-on experience and high academic standards, which means you’ll find yourself juggling deadlines, writing lots of articles, and even working on multimedia projects. The coursework is rigorous and you’ll have to develop a solid understanding of various forms of media, research methods, and ethical considerations. While it might be tougher than a lot of other programs out there, if you’re passionate about storytelling and diving into current events, it can feel really fulfilling. Just be ready to put in some serious effort!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Journalism.
Looking at these Northwestern University grads, it seems like a mixed bag when it comes to making decent money. A bunch of them have climbed the career ladder and landed pretty solid gigs, especially those who moved from roles like Production Assistant to Executive Producer or Senior Editor at big-name companies like CNN and TIME. On the flip side, some have taken a more traditional journalism route with roles in local media or freelancing, which can definitely be less lucrative, particularly at the start. Overall, it looks like the ones who stuck with larger companies or transitioned into higher-level positions are probably doing quite well, while others in the field who are just getting started might still be figuring things out financially. So, if you're aiming for a career in journalism, it seems like there's potential to earn good money with experience and the right opportunities!
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 Northwestern University). This may or may not be useful:
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:
