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First, some facts. Of the Journalism graduates from San Jose 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 12 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 62%, Journalism graduates from San Jose State University have a slightly lower likelihood (-5%) 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 16% 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: 78% We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2016 from San Jose State University with a Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.Sc.) in Journalism. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONManaging Editor The Pajaronian Apr 2019 - Aug 2022 News Editor Good Times Nov 2020 - Dec 2022 Board Member  Pajaro Valley Health Care District Mar 2022 - Present Marketing and Communications Manager Community Bridges Dec 2022 - Present ABOUTAs the Marketing and Communications Manager for nonprofit Community Bridges, I manage internal and external communications for the leading human services provider in Santa Cruz County. Since 1977, Community Bridges has been a catalyst for a brighter future by delivering fundamental resources for the people of Santa Cruz County. Our family of ten vital programs across 20 different sites serves thousands of local children, families, and seniors each year. Before joining Community Bridges, I served as the News Editor at Californias leading alt-weekly newspaper, Santa Cruz Good Times. During my time as editor, Good Times was thrice named the top weekly publication in the state in the California Journalism Awards.Previously, I served as the Managing Editor for the Watsonville The Pajaronian, the newspaper of record serving this diverse community of more than 52,000 people. I earned this position after spending 6 years as the publications Sports Editor. While at Cabrillo College, I was the Editor in Chief of the campus newspaper, supervising a staff of 25, producing breaking news, features, politics, entertainment and sports in English and Spanish.I'm an alumnus of San Jose State's journalism program, earning a bachelors degree in 2016. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
So, if we take a look at the job landscape for graduates from San Jose State University's Journalism program, we can see a mix of roles that range from traditional journalism positions to jobs that only tangentially relate to the field. Many of the more directly relevant jobs tend to be in writing, editing, and producing content, capturing the essence of what a Journalism degree aims to equip students with. Roles like "Executive Editor" at student publications, "Communications Specialists," and various reporting positions at news organizations showcase how graduates have been able to apply their skills right in the heart of the media industry. However, these specific journalism-focused positions are often outnumbered by roles in communication, marketing, and education, which don’t fully utilize the specialized skills that come with a Journalism degree.
On the other hand, many grads have transitioned into roles like teachers or communication managers that employ broad skills in writing and communication but don’t really require in-depth journalistic knowledge. While the Journalism degree provides a strong foundation in communication, critical thinking, and storytelling, not all of these jobs leverage those abilities directly. Overall, it seems like while some grads went on to have jobs that closely align with traditional journalism, a significant number found themselves in career paths that, while still employing some of their skills, stray away from pure journalism practice. This variety is a reminder that a degree in Journalism opens many doors, but it doesn't always mean you'll be reporting the news on a daily basis.
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 San Jose State University):
Looking at the career paths of journalism graduates from San Jose State University, it seems like they've had a pretty mixed bag in terms of job trajectories. Right after graduating, many of them landed internships or entry-level positions in communications, media, and even teaching. For instance, some started off as interns at news organizations or as communications specialists at non-profits, which makes sense given the skills learned in a journalism program. This initial experience seems to set them up for more serious roles, with several graduates climbing the ladder to positions like editors, producers, and even directors within a few years.
However, there's also a significant number of graduates who have veered away from traditional journalism roles and ended up in related fields like marketing, public relations, or even education. It's not uncommon to see them transitioning to roles that leverage their communication skills but aren't strictly journalism-related. For example, some have gone into marketing and event planning positions instead of reporting or editing. Even looking 5 to 10 years down the line, while many still stick with media or communications, a notable percentage seems to be branching out into various sectors, suggesting either a shift in interests or the job market's demands. Overall, it looks like while some graduates have made a solid career in journalism, others have found fulfilling (albeit non-traditional) paths that capitalize on their skills as storytellers and communicators. It's a reality check on the diversity of opportunities in the field!
Honestly, getting a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism at San Jose State University is pretty manageable, especially if you’re passionate about storytelling and communication. Like most journalism programs, it has its challenges—think tight deadlines, writing, and editing assignments, plus maybe some multimedia projects—but if you stay organized and put in the effort, it’s totally doable. The coursework is designed to be engaging and hands-on, so you’ll probably find it more exciting than just a bunch of lectures and tests. Overall, I'd say it’s about average in terms of difficulty; if you’re committed and enjoy the subject, you should be fine!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 2 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Journalism.
Looking at the job histories of these San Jose State University Journalism grads, it seems like they’ve had a mixed bag in terms of making decent money. Some, especially those who landed roles like Deputy Campaigns Director or Director of Communications, likely have salaries that are pretty solid, especially as they move up in their careers. Others, like the recent grad working as a barista, are just starting out and might not be raking it in yet. Overall, while some of these folks are on paths that can lead to good earnings, it’s clear that the journalism field can be a bit shaky when it comes to salary, especially for those still in entry-level or part-time roles. So, it might take a bit of time and experience for some of them to achieve the financial stability they’re aiming for!
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 San Jose 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:
