Degrees
Colleges
About
First, some facts. Of the Journalism graduates from University of Oklahoma 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? Bad. Overall, with an average relevance score of 41%, Journalism graduates from University of Oklahoma have a substantially lower likelihood (-26%) 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:
|
Relevance score: 23% We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2012 from University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Journalism. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONMusic writer The Oklahoma Daily Jan 2012 - May 2012 Blogger  Slumpedover.com Jul 2012 - Jan 2013 Freelance writer The Norman Transcript Jan 2012 - May 2013 Freelance Writer Do512 Dec 2012 - May 2013 Content Manager Do512 Jun 2013 - Aug 2015 Brand Marketing Manager, Talent Booker  Do512 Aug 2015 - Aug 2018 Marketing Manager Heard Presents Aug 2018 - Nov 2019 Director of Marketing Hotel Hot Burrito Nov 2019 - Present ABOUTExperienced Brand & Marketing Manager working in the online media and entertainment industry. Strong leader skilled in copy writing and editing, executing media plans, exercising brand awareness, creatively acquiring new users, and managing content and editorial calendars. Also skilled in booking and advancing artists, as well as running production on events. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
After looking through the job histories of these folks from the University of Oklahoma's journalism program, it’s clear that a mix of roles is something to expect. A lot of graduates jumped into freelance writing, editorial roles, and internships early on that definitely tie back to their studies. For example, positions like editorial intern at major magazines or being a music writer reflect a solid grounding in journalism skills like writing, reporting, and editing. These roles usually leverage the specific skills they learned, which is pretty on point for what a journalism degree prepares you for.
However, as we look further along their job paths, particularly in more recent years, there's a noticeable pivot. Many graduates have found themselves in marketing, social media management, or even completely unrelated fields like project management or paralegal work. These positions often do pull in some communication skills that journalism majors can use, but they don’t really dig into the heart of what journalism is about—reporting, researching, and writing with a journalistic lens. So, while there are definitely relevant jobs out there, a significant number have drifted away from the traditional roles you'd expect for someone with a journalism background. Overall, it's a mixed bag, and it really highlights how versatile a journalism degree can be—even if it doesn't always lead you straight to writing news stories.
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 Oklahoma):
The career trajectories of graduates from the University of Oklahoma’s Journalism program show a mix of paths that can be pretty inspiring for those interested in media and communications. Typically, right after graduation, many of these graduates start off in internships or entry-level positions related to writing and editing, often freelancing or working as editorial interns at reputable organizations. Roles like these help them build crucial experience and connections in the industry. For instance, many 2010 and 2012 graduates quickly transitioned into editorial roles, often climbing the ranks within the same media companies, showcasing a successful entry into the journalism world. However, there are also graduates who veered off into marketing, social media, and other fields that, while sometimes related to communication, stray from traditional journalism jobs.
As time goes on—about 5 to 10 years after graduation—you can see a mix of outcomes. Some grads have moved up to significant positions within major media corporations, managing roles focused on social media or digital content, which indicates adaptability to the changing media landscape. Others have shifted into related fields like marketing or project management, especially in tech and corporate settings, which suggests that while they started in journalism, they found fulfilling careers in other areas. That said, there are also individuals whose career paths are less directly related to journalism, suggesting that not every graduate remains in the media realm. This diversity in career outcomes gives a nuanced view of what it means to pursue a degree in Journalism, combining both successes in the field with broader career moves. Overall, while many graduates have translated their journalism education into relevant careers, a portion have pivoted to entirely different arenas, highlighting the versatile nature of the skills they gained.
Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism can be a bit of a mixed bag, and it really depends on what you're bringing to the table. At the University of Oklahoma, you'll find some solid faculty and resources, which definitely helps. The coursework usually involves a good mix of writing, editing, multimedia storytelling, and ethics—all of which can be challenging, especially if you’re not super confident in your writing skills. It’s not the easiest degree out there, but it's also not the hardest; it really requires dedication, creativity, and a willingness to put in the work. So if you’re passionate about telling stories and staying on top of current events, you’ll probably find it engaging but a bit demanding at the same time!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Journalism.
Looking at these University of Oklahoma journalism grads, it's a mixed bag when it comes to their earnings. Some of them have climbed the ladder pretty well—like the one who went from freelance gigs to a Senior Manager role at Paramount, which likely pays decently. On the other hand, quite a few seem to have stayed in lower-paid positions, especially early on, like interns and freelancers, which is pretty common in the journalism field. Others veered off into marketing or tech roles, where they might be raking in better bucks, but overall, it seems like they’ve had to hustle a lot and probably faced some financial ups and downs along the way. If you’re thinking about journalism, know that it can be tough at first, but with perseverance, there are better-paying opportunities out there!
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 Oklahoma). 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:
