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First, some facts. Of the Journalism graduates from University of Minnesota-Twin Cities 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 10 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 63%, Journalism graduates from University of Minnesota-Twin Cities have a slightly lower likelihood (-4%) 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 10% 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: 96% We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2011 from University of Minnesota-Twin Cities with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONIntern St. Paul Pioneer Press Sep 2011 - Dec 2011 Associate Editor  The Minnesota Daily May 2011 - Dec 2011 Managing Editor The Minnesota Daily Jan 2012 - May 2012 Summer Intern  Las Vegas Review-Journal Jun 2012 - Aug 2012 Intern Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal Sep 2012 - Dec 2012 Reporter Associated Press Jan 2013 - May 2013 Enterprise Reporter Forum Communications May 2013 - Jul 2014 State Government and Politics reporter Associated Press Jul 2014 - Nov 2018 Executive Editor Thrifty Traveler Nov 2018 - Present ABOUTJournalist and editor-in-chief at Thrifty Traveler, a Minnesota-based travel site with flight deals, guides, travel tips, and more. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
From the analysis of various LinkedIn profiles of graduates from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities' Journalism program, it seems like a significant number of these individuals have gone into roles that aren’t directly related to traditional journalism. Many have found jobs as marketing strategists, media supervisors, and copywriters. While these positions do involve writing and communication skills that overlap with journalism training, they largely focus on marketing and advertising strategies rather than reporting or editorial work. This means that while their communication skills are certainly useful, they aren’t applying the core journalism skills they learned in school on a daily basis.
On the flip side, there are graduates who have landed roles directly tied to journalism, such as reporters, editors, and those working in news organizations like the Associated Press and Star Tribune. These positions make good use of the skills developed during their studies. However, it's worth noting that there’s a decent mix of job types out there, showing that not everyone is pursuing a traditional news or reporting path. In a nutshell, while some graduates have embraced their journalism training fully, many others seem to be using their education as a stepping stone into various fields, especially in communication and marketing, that don’t center around traditional journalism practices.
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 Minnesota-Twin Cities):
From this analysis, it seems like Journalism graduates from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities have followed a variety of career paths, with some finding their way into roles closely related to journalism and others branching out into different fields. Many of those who graduated in the early 2010s started off in internships or entry-level positions, often in writing or reporting roles. For example, some landed internships at well-known newspapers or publications right after graduation, which is a pretty solid first step. Five to ten years later, many of them have advanced into higher-level positions, such as media strategists, editors, or even executive roles in different media and communications firms, showing a clear trajectory upwards in their careers. That’s pretty cool for a degree that can sometimes feel a bit niche.
However, it's also worth noticing that not all grads stuck to traditional journalism roles. A good number ended up in marketing, copywriting, or other content-related positions that utilize the skills they learned during their studies, even if it's not in a newsroom. For instance, some have become communications specialists or marketing strategists rather than reporters or editors. While it’s great that they’re using their skills in these jobs, it does highlight that the employment landscape for journalists isn't as straightforward as it used to be, with more people exploring roles outside traditional journalism due to job market shifts. Overall, it looks like many have carved out successful careers, even if they aren’t necessarily in the types of jobs you'd expect when you think about a degree in Journalism.
Okay, so honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities can be a mix of challenging and manageable, just like any other college program. You'll definitely need to put in some serious time and effort, especially with writing assignments, research, and staying updated on current events. There are also practical components like creating multimedia content, which can be tough if you're not already familiar with tech tools. It’s not the easiest degree out there, but if you're passionate about storytelling and willing to hustle, you’ll probably find it rewarding and not impossible to handle! Just be ready for some late nights working on articles and projects!
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 U of M journalism grads, it seems like some have really started to rake in the cash, while others are still working their way up. The 2010 grad, for example, moved from internships to roles like Media Director and Director of Integrated Media, which typically come with a solid salary—definitely not chump change! On the flip side, some of the more recent grads, like those from 2022, are still in roles that might not pay as well yet, like their early reporting positions. Overall, it seems like if they stick with it and gain experience, they have a good shot at making decent money in the future, especially since journalism, particularly in media strategy, can lead to some pretty lucrative gigs.
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 Minnesota-Twin Cities). 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:
