First, some facts. Of the Marketing graduates from Virginia Tech 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? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 65%, Marketing graduates from Virginia Tech have a slightly lower likelihood (-2%) 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 8% 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:
Relevance score: 28%We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2010 from Virginia Tech with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Business in Marketing. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONPersonal StylistNordstrom Jun 2011 - Nov 2011 Assistant Department Manager Nordstrom Nov 2011 - Feb 2012 Department Manager Nordstrom Feb 2012 - Dec 2012 Academic Coordinator and Head Teacher Kidsbene Feb 2013 - Feb 2015 English Language Instructor Soongsil Baird Academy Feb 2015 - Oct 2015 Marketing Consultant and Private Tutor Self Employed Feb 2015 - Oct 2016 Human Resources Coordinator Nordstrom Jun 2017 - Jun 2020 Human Resources Representative Nordstrom Jun 2020 - Feb 2022 HRIS Representative Nordstrom Feb 2022 - Oct 2022 Human Resources Operations Specialist Nordstrom Oct 2022 - Present ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
From the profiles of recent Virginia Tech Marketing graduates, it looks like there’s a wide variety of roles they’ve stepped into, but many don't seem to be using their marketing skills directly. A lot of folks have taken on positions in retail management, human resources, or analytics that may touch on aspects of marketing but don’t necessarily require the specialized knowledge they gained in their degree. For instance, jobs like Personal Stylist or HR Coordinator primarily focus on customer service and administrative functions, with only a sprinkle of marketing relevance.
However, there are some standout roles where graduates do get to flex their marketing muscles, like Marketing Director, Marketing Account Manager, and various coordinator positions. These jobs obviously tie back into marketing strategies and principles, which means those lucky individuals are putting their skills to good use. Overall, even though some jobs seem a bit off the track, there are definitely opportunities where alumni can apply what they learned and make a real impact in the marketing world.
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 Virginia Tech):
When you look at the career paths of Virginia Tech Marketing graduates, a few trends really stand out. Many of them kick off their careers in positions that are related to marketing or sales, like marketing assistants, business development associates, or account managers. This makes sense since they all have a marketing background and are eager to apply what they learned in school. However, not every graduate sticks closely to traditional marketing roles; some venture into areas like human resources or even teaching, which can seem a bit off the beaten path for a marketing degree. So, while it's clear that a significant number of students are finding relevant entry-level roles, there’s also quite a diversity in job choices right out of college.
Fast forward five or ten years, and you'll find a mix of outcomes. Some folks ascend to higher-level roles in marketing, like marketing directors, managers, or heading up analytics teams, particularly within companies that they've established a relationship with early on. Others might find themselves in completely different sectors or roles that don’t align with their degrees, such as in HR or tech-related positions, which indicates flexibility and adaptability. Overall, it seems a solid number of graduates are steering their careers towards marketing-related fields, while others are exploring various paths, which can sometimes lead to unexpected but fulfilling careers. It's definitely a mixed bag, but there’s definitely room for success for those who want to stay in marketing.
Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing at Virginia Tech—or pretty much anywhere—falls somewhere in the middle when it comes to difficulty. It’s definitely not a walk in the park, but it's also not the hardest thing you could tackle in college. You’ll find yourself diving into subjects like consumer behavior, market research, and digital marketing, which can be fun if you have an interest in them. The workload can get intense at times, especially with group projects and presentations, but if you stay organized and keep up with your studies, you should be able to manage just fine. Ultimately, it’s challenging, but also pretty rewarding, especially if you enjoy the creative side of business!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Marketing.
Alright, so let’s break this down. The graduates from Virginia Tech look like they’re generally doing pretty well career-wise, especially those who graduated earlier and climbed the corporate ladder. The 2010 grad has held multiple roles at Nordstrom, moving up within the company, which usually pays decently, and they still work there. The 2011 grad at Advance Auto Parts went from a trainee to a director—definitely a sign of good money, especially in data analytics. The 2019 grads are still figuring things out, with some military experience and transitioning into marketing roles, which can also pay off, but it may take time to reach higher salaries. The recent 2022 graduates are still on the younger side, starting out in internships and early positions, so they might not be raking in the cash yet. Overall, the earlier grads seem to have landed solid jobs that likely pay well, while the younger ones are just starting their journeys in the working world, so they’ve probably got more reasonable, entry-level salaries right now.
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 Virginia Tech). 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: