First, some facts. Of the Marketing graduates from University of Iowa 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? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 66%, Marketing graduates from University of Iowa have a slightly lower likelihood (-1%) 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, 40% 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 you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a Marketing graduate.
See the details:
Relevance score: 71%We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2010 from University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Marketing. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONInternThe NextGen Marketing Group - Your Digital Product Launch Team May 2010 - Aug 2010 Program Assistant Department of Veterans Affairs Jan 2011 - Aug 2013 Graduate Assistant The University of Iowa Aug 2013 - May 2014 New Product Investments Intern Allsteel May 2014 - Aug 2014 Research Analyst Ipsos Jul 2015 - Apr 2016 Research Analyst Radius Global Market Research May 2016 - May 2019 Account Manager Ipsos North America May 2019 - Jul 2021 Senior Account Manager Ipsos North America Aug 2021 - Nov 2021 Research Manager Numerator Nov 2021 - Present FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGMaster of Business Administration (MBA)University of Iowa 2013 - 2015 ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
After looking at the various jobs taken by Marketing graduates from the University of Iowa, it’s pretty clear that there’s a mix of opportunities they ventured into. A lot of them have ended up in research and analysis roles, like working as Research Analysts or Account Managers, where they really get to flex those marketing muscles by digging into data and managing client relationships. These positions are super relevant to what they studied, as they often involve using marketing research methods and client engagement strategies that were part of their curriculum. In contrast, there are quite a few who found themselves in roles that have little connection to marketing. For example, jobs in healthcare, agriculture, or operations tend to focus more on administrative tasks or specific skills within those industries rather than applying marketing knowledge directly.
Overall, many of these graduates are utilizing their marketing education in their jobs, particularly in roles related to research, analytics, and communications. However, a significant number have taken paths that stray from traditional marketing roles, reflecting a broad range of careers spanning various sectors. While this might show the versatility of a marketing degree, it also highlights that not everyone is directly using what they learned in school. Those who’ve landed in positions tightly intertwined with marketing—like digital marketing analysts or account managers—seem to have a clearer connection to their studies, while others are making ends meet outside their field of expertise. So, while there are definitely solid ties to marketing in some careers, the landscape appears quite diverse and sometimes disconnected from the core marketing principles."
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 University of Iowa):
Looking at the career trajectories of graduates from the University of Iowa with a marketing degree, it seems like they generally kick off their professional lives in roles that may not always seem directly related to marketing. Many start with internships or assistant positions, often related to research, administration, or entry-level sales roles. This is quite typical and shows that new graduates tend to take whatever opportunities they can find as they build their resumes and gain experience. For instance, alumni have worked as research analysts or in sales roles at companies like Ipsos and Coyote Logistics right after graduation, which, while not all traditional marketing roles, still give them relevant experience in understanding consumer behavior and market dynamics.
Fast forward five to ten years, and many graduates seem to have navigated their careers successfully towards more significant responsibilities in relevant fields. A lot of them end up managing teams or working in specialized marketing roles, like digital marketing and account management. For example, graduates have ascended to senior positions at established companies, showcasing a strong trajectory in marketing or related functions. That said, there are also some who veer off into entirely different careers, such as nursing or operations in unrelated industries, which can happen when individuals find new passions or opportunities. Overall, it looks like while starting points can be varied, many graduates are staying connected to marketing in some way as their careers progress, illustrating a decent level of success in the field over time.
Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing is about average when it comes to difficulty. At the University of Iowa, or really anywhere, you’ll be diving into a mix of creative and analytical stuff, like consumer behavior, digital marketing, and social media strategies. Some parts can be pretty straightforward if you enjoy the subject, while others might challenge you, especially the statistical and research components. It’s a lot of group projects and presentations too, so if you’re good at collaborating and communicating, that’ll definitely help. Overall, it’s definitely manageable if you stay on top of your work and are genuinely interested in the topic!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Marketing.
So, looking at these Marketing grads from the University of Iowa, it seems like most of them have been making their way up the career ladder and potentially earning decent money as they progress. Those who graduated around 2010 and 2012 have sturdy job histories, moving into roles like Senior Account Manager and Research Manager, which usually come with a solid paycheck. The ones from 2015 onwards seem to have hit the ground running too, with positions like Regional Sales Leader and Digital Manager, indicating they're likely pulling in good salaries. However, a few of the earlier grads had some more entry-level positions initially, and while that may not have paid much, they eventually transitioned into roles that likely paid better. Overall, it looks like the trend is upward for these grads, suggesting a good potential for decent earnings, especially as they gain experience.
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 University of Iowa). This may or may not be useful:
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: