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First, some facts. Of the Journalism graduates from Penn 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 16 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 61%, Journalism graduates from Penn State University have a lower likelihood (-6%) 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 18% 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 2020 from Penn State University with a Bachelor's degree in Journalism. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONSports betting social media specialist Rush Street Interactive Mar 2022 - Present ABOUTGraduate from The Pennsylvania State University. I have a strong passion for all things sports and love to write about them. I have worked for ESPN and Big Ten Network for all PSU football games during my time there. As well as ESPN College Gameday.I also have writing experience from my internship covering BigTen and SEC basketball for NBAdraft.net. Currently, working for Rush Street Interactive as a Sports Betting Social Media Specialist. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When you look at the job paths taken by graduates from Penn State's Journalism program, a few themes pop out. Many have landed roles that are definitely at least tangentially related to journalism, like news reporters, communications specialists, and social media managers. These positions often demand the core skills learned in journalism—writing, research, and storytelling—and align closely with what you'd expect someone with that degree to do. On the other hand, a significant number have veered into roles like account executives, sales managers, or various positions in retail and finance that don’t really make use of their journalism training. It’s like some people took their communication skills and used them in totally different fields where the main focus is not about reporting or media at all.
Overall, while many grads are flexing their journalism muscles in traditional media roles, a chunk of them have found themselves in industries where their specific journalism skills aren't really required. This might reflect a wider trend where graduates from various majors take on jobs outside their field because they can still apply fundamental skills like communication and critical thinking—just not in the traditional journalism sense. So, in short, while there are definitely relevant roles that these graduates have taken, there’s also quite a few who have wandered into unrelated careers where their journalism degree doesn’t exactly shine each day. It shows that a degree in journalism can take you to some unexpected places!
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 Penn State University):
Looking at the career paths of Penn State Journalism graduates, it’s clear that there are a combination of successes and detours post-graduation. Many grads start off in roles that are somewhat related to journalism, like reporters or communications specialists, which is great because it means they’re diving straight into the field they studied. For instance, those who graduated in 2010 have held positions like News Reporter and Communications Manager, highlighting that some have stuck with journalism or at least closely related fields. However, after a few years, it seems that a notable number of these alumni have found themselves in roles that drift away from traditional journalism, like in sales, banking, or various marketing capacities. This suggests that while the initial jobs might align with their degree, the longer term looks a bit mixed, with many moving into other industries.
Five to ten years down the road, we can see a bit of a trend toward careers in communication and marketing rather than traditional journalism. Graduates from the later years, such as 2016 and 2018, often end up in positions like Content Director or Social Media Specialist, which, while they utilize skills learned in journalism, don't stick strictly to reporting news. It also seems like some might not find the exact journalism path they envisioned and pivot towards roles in other sectors like finance or public relations. In summary, while many of these graduates definitely see early careers that tap into their journalism roots, as time goes on, a significant segment appears to veer into tangential or even unrelated fields, signaling a diverse array of career choices stemming from a journalism degree at Penn State.
Honestly, a Bachelor degree in Journalism at Penn State can be pretty challenging, but it really depends on your passion for the subject and how much effort you’re willing to put in. You’ll be juggling a mix of writing, reporting, and technical skills, which can be demanding, especially when you have deadlines to meet for assignments and projects. Plus, you’ll need to keep up with trends in media and news. While some students find it easier if they enjoy storytelling and have good communication skills, others might struggle with the fast pace and the pressure of producing quality content consistently. Overall, it's about average in difficulty for a college degree, but if you're excited about journalism, that can make a big difference!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Journalism.
Looking at the career paths of these Penn State journalism grads, it seems like they’ve had a pretty mixed bag in terms of making decent money. Some of them moved into solid roles in marketing and communications that likely pay well, especially with titles like Communications Manager or Director of Brand Management. Others stuck around in more entry-level or less lucrative positions, like bar management and retail, which probably aren’t raking it in. The guys who transitioned into stable corporate roles with banks or insurance companies are probably doing alright. Overall, it looks like those who switched gears into business or higher management roles are set up for decent salaries, while others may be scraping by in more casual jobs. It's all about the choices they made after college!
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 Penn State 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:
