What can you do with a Journalism degree from University of Missouri-Columbia?

First, some facts. Of the Journalism graduates from University of Missouri-Columbia 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 26 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Slightly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 69%, Journalism graduates from University of Missouri-Columbia have a slightly higher likelihood (+2%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 69%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, only 11% 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:

View a random Journalism graduate from University of Missouri-Columbia and our analysis:


Relevance score: 100%

We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2021 from University of Missouri-Columbia with a Bachelor's degree in Journalism. Also pursued further education since (see below).

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Public Relations Specialist
AdZou
Jan 2021 - May 2021
As a Public Relations Specialist, this job directly utilizes communication skills and strategies acquired during the Journalism degree, requiring specific expertise in media relations and public messaging.

Public Relations Intern
Envision2bWell Inc
May 2021 - Jul 2021
The role of Public Relations Intern involves foundational tasks in communication and media engagement, strongly aligning with the skills learned in the Journalism degree.

Communications Intern
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
Jun 2021 - May 2022
In the Communications Intern position, the job requires the application of writing, research, and communication skills that are intrinsic to a Journalism education.

Media, Marketing & Communications Director
MISSOURI GOLF ASSOCIATION
May 2022 - Mar 2024
As the Media, Marketing & Communications Director, this position heavily relies on skills in media communication, strategic messaging, and marketingall of which are core to a Journalism degree.

Communications Coordinator: Strategic Communication & Engagement
Springfield Missouri Public Schools
Mar 2024 - Present
The Communications Coordinator position requires specific communication strategies and engagement methods suitable for public relations, which are foundational skills developed in a Journalism program.

FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATING
Master's degree
University of Missouri-Columbia
2021 - 2022
ABOUT

Currently serving as Communications Coordinator: Strategic Communication & Engagement for Springfield Public Schools. I earned my bachelor's and master's degrees from The Missouri School of Journalism with an emphasis in Strategic Communication.

What jobs can you get with a Journalism degree from University of Missouri-Columbia?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


After looking through the LinkedIn profiles of graduates from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a degree in Journalism, it's clear that there's a wide range of jobs held by these individuals. The most common roles they seem to take on are often in communications, public relations, digital media, and various editing positions. Many of these jobs, such as Digital Marketing Manager, Account Executive, and Communications Coordinator, utilize skills that are somewhat related to journalism, particularly in storytelling, writing, and audience engagement. However, the roles often lean more towards marketing and client relations rather than traditional journalism practices like news reporting or investigative writing.

In terms of relevance to journalism, there is a mixed bag. While some positions, like those of reporters and editors, directly apply journalism skills, many others, such as Account Director or Marketing Coordinator, focus more on business-related functions. Even within those roles, while communication skills from journalism may provide some context, they don't always engage with the core journalistic principles. Overall, graduates have found their way into various fields, but many move away from traditional journalism into marketing and PR roles that, while they may be built on similar skill sets, stray from the pure essence of journalism as a profession.

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 Missouri-Columbia):

What kind of career trajectories do Journalism graduates from University of Missouri-Columbia have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

Graduates from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a degree in Journalism seem to follow a range of career paths, especially in their early years after graduation. Many begin their careers in roles like social media coordinators, marketing specialists, or as interns in journalism-related positions, which shows they're often trying to leverage their media and communication skills right off the bat. These first jobs tend to be concentrated in marketing, digital content, and public relations, which, while relevant to journalism, also indicate a shift toward broader communications roles. Some graduates wind up as account managers or in various positions within marketing and PR firms, demonstrating that the foundational skills learned in journalism can translate well into these fields.

Fast forward five to ten years, and you can see a mix of those who have stayed in the journalism realm—like becoming senior editors, staff writers, or digital strategists—and those who've moved into various marketing and management roles. Some have managed to climb the corporate ladder quite impressively, landing senior positions at established companies, while others have made pivots entirely out of traditional journalism. So, while many seem to have found solid, exciting careers relevant to their field, there are also indications that not everyone is staying strictly in journalism or media. It's a mixed bag, but overall, it looks like a good number of these graduates are at least building careers where their journalism skills remain valuable, even if those careers don’t look like traditional reporting or writing roles at the end of the day.

How hard is a Journalism degree from University of Missouri-Columbia?

Hey! So, getting a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism at the University of Missouri-Columbia, which is actually known for its strong journalism program, can be a bit of a mixed bag. It’s not necessarily the easiest degree out there because it requires a good amount of writing, research, and sometimes even multimedia skills, depending on what you focus on. You’ll have to tackle deadlines, manage projects, and keep up with the current news—which can be super fast-paced and stressful. That said, if you’re genuinely interested in storytelling and reporting, you might find it more enjoyable than tough. Just be prepared to put in some serious effort and time to hone those skills!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Journalism.

Do Journalism graduates from University of Missouri-Columbia tend to make good money?

Looking at these Journalism grads from the University of Missouri-Columbia, it seems they've had a pretty solid journey in terms of career progression and income potential. Many have moved into roles with more responsibilities and significant pay raises, especially those who graduated earlier. For instance, the grads who landed positions as Account Directors or Digital Marketing Managers are likely making decent salaries, especially considering those roles often average in the mid to high $60,000 to $100,000 range depending on the company and location. The more recent grads are starting off with internships and entry-level positions, but companies like TikTok and FleishmanHillard are known to pay well, so they shouldn't be too worried about their financial future. Overall, it looks like most of these folks are on paths to make good money as they continue to climb the professional ladder!

What buzzwords do Journalism graduates use to describe themselves?

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 Missouri-Columbia). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Journalism?

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:

College Score Count
Northwestern University 84 22
Ithaca College 77 11
Northeastern University 76 10
University of Maryland College Park 75 11
University of Houston 74 11
The University of Georgia 74 11
The University of Texas at Austin 70 21
Colorado State University 69 13
University of Missouri-Columbia 69 26
Boston University 69 12
University of Florida 68 29
Michigan State University 68 17
Ohio University 68 17
Hofstra University 68 10
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities 63 10
San Jose State University 62 12
University of Oregon 62 31
Penn State University 61 16
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo 61 10
Indiana University Bloomington 58 26
San Francisco State University 58 16
Temple University 57 26
University of North Texas 56 10
Columbia College Chicago 56 16
West Virginia University 54 10
The University of Kansas 52 16
Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Georgia 51 10
Georgia State University 49 34
University of Arizona 48 15
University of Oklahoma 41 12