First, some facts. Of the Journalism graduates from University of Arizona 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 15 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 48%, Journalism graduates from University of Arizona have a much lower likelihood (-19%) 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 6% 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:
Relevance score: 69%We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2017 from University of Arizona with a Bachelor's degree in Journalism. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONInternTMZ Jan 2017 - Apr 2017 Entertainment Reporter, On-Camera Host TMZ May 2017 - Mar 2018 Booker, Editorial Producer Entertainment Tonight Jul 2018 - Jan 2020 Senior Booking Producer, Host Crave News Feb 2020 - Jan 2022 Talent Producer, Host talkshoplive Jan 2022 - Jun 2024 Freelance Host, Writer, Producer Freelance May 2020 - Present Director of Partnerships, Host Vinivia Jun 2024 - Present ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
From the analysis of LinkedIn profiles of Journalism graduates from the University of Arizona, it seems that many of them have ventured into fields that aren't directly aligned with journalism, despite their education. Common roles include various positions in advertising, marketing, and operations, such as Ad Operations Analyst and Revenue Optimization Executive. While these jobs require strong communication and analytical skills, they tend to focus more on sales, finances, and operational management rather than the traditional tasks of reporting, writing, or editing that are core to journalism. A substantial number of these roles do not utilize specific skills garnered from a journalism degree, making it challenging for many graduates to stay grounded in journalistic practices.
On a brighter note, there are also profiles reflecting significant relevance to journalism, particularly those that fall under writing and content creation, such as freelance writers, contributing writers for major publications, and roles in media outlets like The Sacramento Bee or National Geographic. Positions involving investigative journalism or editorial work clearly leverage the skills learned during their studies and align well with their educational backgrounds. However, it's fair to say that while some grads successfully transition into journalism-related roles, a sizable portion head into careers where journalism knowledge is only tangentially useful. This shows the complexity of the job market and how diverse career paths can be, even for those with specialized degrees.
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 University of Arizona):
From looking at the career paths of recent University of Arizona Journalism graduates, it seems there is quite a range of outcomes, with many gravitating toward roles that do touch on journalism and media, while others have strayed into different fields altogether. A common starting point for many graduates is internships or entry-level positions in media and content creation. For instance, those who graduated around 2010 to 2013 often kicked off their careers as interns or freelance writers, getting their feet wet in various forms of media like sports photography, blogging, and digital advertising. Over the span of five years, we see a lot of them moving into more stable and managerial roles, particularly in advertising operations or as journalists for established outlets like The Sacramento Bee or Scientific American.
However, by the ten-year mark, the trend becomes a bit more mixed. Some graduates have successfully carved out solid careers in journalism or media, even landing roles at high-profile publishers or becoming involved in investigative journalism. Conversely, there are quite a few who have transitioned to completely unrelated fields, like teaching or business roles, which might not feel very connected to their journalism degree. Overall, while there are promising trajectories in journalism for some, others appear to have ventured away from it, highlighting a more diverse range of career possibilities that don't necessarily keep them in the media lane.
Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism can be a bit of a mixed bag. At the University of Arizona, like many places, it’s not necessarily a walk in the park, but it’s also not the most grueling program out there. You’ll definitely have to work on your writing skills, learn how to research effectively, and get a good grasp of multimedia storytelling. There might be some tough courses, especially when it comes to deadlines and building a solid portfolio, but if you’re passionate about the subject and enjoy telling stories, you might find it pretty manageable. Overall, it’s challenging enough to keep you engaged without feeling like you’re drowning, especially if you’re ready to put in the 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 the career paths of these University of Arizona journalism graduates, it seems like they've had some ups and downs in terms of salary. The ones who graduated earlier, especially around 2010 and 2011, have moved into positions at big names like Forbes and Time Inc., which likely pay pretty decently, especially since they've climbed up to senior management roles or specialized positions. In contrast, some of the more recent grads have taken on roles that are a bit less traditional or have more variable income, like freelance writing or teaching, which might not be the most lucrative. Overall, while some grads appear to be doing well financially, especially in media management or legal roles, others might be still figuring things out and potentially not making as much. It's a mixed bag!
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 University of Arizona). 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: