What can you do with a Marketing degree from Oakland University?

First, some facts. Of the Marketing graduates from Oakland 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 20 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 47%, Marketing graduates from Oakland University have a much lower likelihood (-20%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 47%
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 20% 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 Marketing graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random Marketing graduate from Oakland University and our analysis:


Relevance score: 30%

We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2016 from Oakland University with a Bachelors Degree in Marketing. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
PDM Analyst
FCA Fiat Chrysler Automobiles
2017 - Aug 2021
The role of a PDM Analyst at FCA Fiat Chrysler Automobiles may involve some marketing analysis and data interpretation skills, which can be indirectly related to a marketing degree, but it does not primarily focus on marketing core principles.

Installation and Service Project Coordinator
Ascent Aerospace
Aug 2021 - Present
The position of Installation and Service Project Coordinator at Ascent Aerospace requires project management and logistical coordination skills, which are not directly relevant to the core qualifications of a marketing degree.

ABOUT

2016 Oakland University Marketing graduate with bachelors degree. An ardent runner and half marathoner.

What jobs can you get with a Marketing degree from Oakland University?

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


If you look at the job history of graduates from Oakland University's Marketing program, you'll notice a pretty mixed bag when it comes to how relevant these positions are to marketing itself. Many grads ended up in roles like Accounts Receivable or various finance-related jobs, which definitely don't tap into the marketing skills they learned in school. For example, positions like Quality Assurance Manager or Operations Management Specialist are more about processes and numbers rather than connecting with customers or creating campaigns. However, there are also some standout roles that clearly relate to marketing, like Marketing Lead or Social Media Specialist, where graduates are actively using their marketing skills on a daily basis.

It’s safe to say that while some alumni have ended up in jobs where they can flex their marketing muscles, a big chunk found themselves in positions that are far from the marketing industry, leaning more towards finance or operations. You’ve got everything from roles in customer service that touch on marketing principles to management positions that seem to go in a totally different direction. So, if you're thinking about a Marketing degree, it might be worth it to pursue internships or roles that directly align with marketing to ensure you're building on the skills that matter. After all, being in a job that directly relates to marketing can really help you stand out in a competitive job market later on!

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Marketing graduates (this is across all Marketing graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Oakland University):

What kind of career trajectories do Marketing graduates from Oakland University have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

Looking at these career trajectories of Oakland University marketing graduates, it appears that many individuals begin their journeys in entry-level positions that aren't necessarily tied directly to marketing. For instance, several people started in roles like Accounts Receivable, Operations Management, or Customer Service right after graduation. This could indicate that while they all studied marketing, the immediate employment landscape often pushed them into various support or operational roles. However, many seem to pivot into marketing-centric positions within a few years, especially as they gain experience. For example, you’ll find graduates transitioning from financial roles or admin jobs to marketing analyst positions or even management roles in marketing. It’s like they find their way back to their roots as they establish themselves professionally.

If we take a broader look at what graduates are doing five to ten years after graduation, there’s a notable trend toward more specialized marketing roles, particularly in digital marketing, data analysis, and business development. Graduates often secure positions as Marketing Managers, Social Media Specialists, or even Directors of Marketing as they progress in their careers. This suggests a healthy growth trajectory where they gain valuable skills and experiences that better align with their degree. However, it also reflects a mix of pathways, as some individuals pursue careers that diverge from marketing altogether, with roles in finance, operations, and management. Overall, it seems like many graduates find rewarding careers related to marketing over time, but it may take a few years of exploration to get there.

How hard is a Marketing degree from Oakland University?

Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing at Oakland University isn’t too different from most other schools; it’s definitely more challenging than just cruising through high school, but it’s not the toughest out there either. You’ll be diving into a mix of creative projects, data analysis, and understanding consumer behavior, which can be pretty fun, especially if you enjoy working on real-world scenarios. The workload is manageable if you stay organized and keep up with your assignments, but some classes can get a bit intense with group projects and presentations. Overall, it’s a solid mix of work and creativity—definitely a fun ride if marketing sparks your interest!

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 Marketing.

Do Marketing graduates from Oakland University tend to make good money?

Looking at the career paths of these Oakland University marketing grads, it seems like they've found their way into a mix of decent-paying roles, especially as they gain experience. For instance, the earlier graduates moved from entry-level positions to roles like Senior Analysts and Marketing Managers, which usually come with a better paycheck. The variety in roles also suggests that many have adapted to industry demands, which typically helps in boosting salaries. However, some are still bouncing around from position to position, which might mean they're still climbing the ladder or exploring their options. Overall, it seems like most of them are doing pretty well, but like any career path, it varies and takes time to hit those higher salary brackets.

What buzzwords do Marketing 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 Marketing (this is across all Marketing graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Oakland University). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Marketing?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Marketing (ordered by the average relevance score of their Marketing graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count
Gonzaga University 84 10
University of Maryland - Robert H. Smith School of Business 81 13
Florida International University - College of Business 78 12
University of Wisconsin-Madison 76 17
University of Florida 75 18
University of Arizona 75 11
Portland State University 75 13
California State University, Long Beach 75 14
Bowling Green State University 74 13
LIM College 74 14
Michigan State University 73 11
Rider University 73 16
University of Colorado Boulder 72 15
Minnesota State University, Mankato 72 16
Bentley University 72 21
The Ohio State University 71 17
Fairfield University 71 11
John Carroll University 71 10
Florida State University 70 44
University of Kentucky 70 18
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse 70 16
Davenport University 70 17
The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business 70 29
Brigham Young University - Idaho 69 11
The University of Georgia 69 14
University of Delaware 69 17
Iowa State University - Ivy College of Business 69 10
Iowa State University 68 10
University of Louisiana at Lafayette 68 14
University of Minnesota - Carlson School of Management 68 15
Colorado State University 67 17
Grand Valley State University 67 30
Georgia State University 67 29
Kean University 67 15
Loyola Marymount University 67 19
Lindenwood University 67 11
California State University, Fullerton 66 26
University of Iowa 66 15
Old Dominion University 66 12
University of Nevada-Las Vegas 66 16
Indiana Wesleyan University 66 10
Loyola University Maryland 66 15
Arizona State University - W. P. Carey School of Business 66 14
Texas Tech University - Rawls College of Business 66 12
Georgia State University - J. Mack Robinson College of Business 66 14
Penn State University 65 50
Florida International University 65 24
Southern New Hampshire University 65 28
Auburn University 65 14
Oregon State University 65 12
The University of Texas at San Antonio 65 34
The University of Alabama 65 31
Virginia Tech 65 12
Utah Valley University 65 11
Eastern Michigan University 65 19
California State University, Chico 65 10
Seton Hall University 65 10
University of Houston 64 13
San Diego State University 64 32
Virginia Commonwealth University 64 15
University of North Carolina at Greensboro 64 16
Florida Gulf Coast University 64 10
University of Central Missouri 64 12
University of Utah - David Eccles School of Business 64 12
East Carolina University 63 17
California State University, Northridge 63 27
University of Arkansas 63 33
Appalachian State University 63 14
College of Charleston 63 15
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire 63 16
University of Dayton 63 15
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania 63 15
University of Cincinnati College of Business 63 11
University of South Florida 62 62
University of Nebraska-Lincoln 62 20
Boise State University 62 16
North Dakota State University 62 14
University of Nevada, Reno 62 13
The University of Southern Mississippi 62 14
Providence College 62 13
University of Central Florida 61 67
Texas A&M University 61 40
Louisiana State University 61 29
Miami University 61 28
University of Illinois at Chicago 61 11
San Diego State University-California State University 61 18
University of Louisville 61 23
University of Wisconsin-Green Bay 61 14
Western Governors University 60 38
Kent State University 60 21
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona 60 23
Central Michigan University 60 14
Florida Atlantic University 60 25
Ball State University 60 17
Montclair State University 60 13
California State University-Fullerton 60 12
University of North Carolina at Wilmington 60 10
Wichita State University 60 11
Salisbury University 60 11
Monmouth University 60 12
Columbus State University 60 10
Siena College 60 17
James Madison University 59 24
University of Pittsburgh 59 16
University of North Carolina at Charlotte 59 24
Kennesaw State University 59 22
Georgia Southern University 59 20
DePaul University 59 17
Northern Illinois University 59 23
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee 59 46
Columbia College Chicago 59 12
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga 59 21
Quinnipiac University 59 16
Southeastern Louisiana University 59 10
University of Montana 59 11
University of Cincinnati Carl H. Lindner College of Business 59 14
Texas State University 58 33
Illinois State University 58 19
West Virginia University 58 23
Rowan University 58 16
West Chester University of Pennsylvania 58 19
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater 58 15
Eastern Illinois University 58 13
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi 58 15
University of Houston, C.T. Bauer College of Business 58 11
University of North Texas 57 44
The University of Texas at Arlington 57 12
University of Oklahoma 57 12
Baylor University 57 12
University of Tennessee, Knoxville 57 11
California State University, Fresno 57 16
The University of Akron 57 17
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania 57 10
Cleveland State University 57 14
Hofstra University 57 15
University of San Diego 57 12
University of Georgia - Terry College of Business 57 26
Roger Williams University 57 11
Pace University - Lubin School of Business 57 10
University of Missouri-Columbia 56 28
Missouri State University 56 16
Baruch College 56 25
University of San Francisco 56 11
University of St. Thomas 56 16
Sacred Heart University 56 15
Jacksonville State University 56 10
University of Phoenix 55 29
San Jose State University 55 30
Towson University 55 25
Western Washington University 55 15
Stephen F. Austin State University 55 12
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh 55 10
Temple University - Fox School of Business and Management 55 12
Liberty University 54 10
San Francisco State University 54 33
Texas Tech University 54 17
Wright State University 54 14
Indiana University - Kelley School of Business 54 17
Bryant University 54 16
University of Washington 53 10
Indiana University Bloomington 53 16
Grand Canyon University 53 18
University of Cincinnati 53 23
Clemson University 53 29
University of North Florida 53 17
California State University San Marcos 53 13
University of Central Oklahoma 53 10
State University of New York College at Oswego 53 10
Ohio University 52 15
Kansas State University 52 28
Mississippi State University 52 21
Loyola University Chicago 52 10
Coastal Carolina University 52 25
Sonoma State University 52 11
Temple University 51 20
Oklahoma State University 51 40
Western Michigan University 51 11
Southern Illinois University, Carbondale 51 17
Northern Kentucky University 51 16
The College of New Jersey 51 17
University of North Georgia 51 11
Northwood University 51 14
Florida State University - College of Business 51 16
California State University-Long Beach 50 12
Johnson & Wales University 50 11
University of West Georgia 50 16
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth 50 21
Kennesaw State University - Michael J. Coles College of Business 50 12
California State University-Northridge 49 19
University of Alabama 49 15
University of Tampa 49 15
University of Northern Colorado 49 11
University of Denver 49 10
Georgia Gwinnett College 48 11
Washington State University 47 15
The University of Texas at Dallas 47 17
Sam Houston State University 47 13
Oakland University 47 20
Radford University 47 13
Saint Joseph's University 47 14
Louisiana Tech University 46 12
Indiana University of Pennsylvania 45 17
Suffolk University 45 12
Fox School of Business at Temple University 45 14
University of Mississippi 44 18
East Tennessee State University 44 17
California State University-San Bernardino 43 10
California State University-Los Angeles 43 11
St. Cloud State University 43 12
The University of Memphis 42 10
Tarleton State University 41 13
University of South Alabama 38 10
Metropolitan State University of Denver 37 12
New Mexico State University 33 11
Abilene Christian University 29 11