Degrees
Colleges
About
First, some facts. Of the Music graduates 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 493 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 48%, Music graduates have a much lower likelihood (-19%) 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, 37% 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 Music graduate.
See the details:
|
Relevance score: 50% We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2022 from Oberlin College with a Bachelor of Arts - BA in Music. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONSocial Media Manager and Strategist Oneta Resort Feb 2023 - Present ABOUTI am a creative consultant and brand strategist with a passion for culture, community, and integrity. I lead with compassion to ensure all voices feel welcomed in the creation of a collective vision. My ability to listen deeply and quickly synthesize information improves understanding and relationships among stakeholders.Since 2017, I have been an active cultural worker and community leader in Chicago's arts community. From hosting creative events in underserved communities to leading protests in the city's center, I strive to unite people for the common good and promote collective/personal advocacy.I have recently moved back to Chicago after graduating from Oberlin College in December 2022 and completing my degree on exchange at the University of Cape Town. I currently work as a social media strategist and manager at Oneta Resort located in Kadavu, Fiji. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When analyzing the career paths of individuals who have graduated with a degree in Music, a clear pattern emerges regarding the relevance of their jobs to their degree. Many of these graduates have taken on roles that, while involved in various aspects of education, administration, or unrelated fields, do not necessarily align with the specialized knowledge and skills they acquired through their studies. Instead, we see a significant number of graduates moving into roles in education, particularly as music teachers or instructors. This reflects the common understanding that a music degree often leads to careers in music education.
However, it's important to recognize a wide array of employment where the degree has little or no apparent relevance. Some graduates have ended up in retail, management, or customer service roles that do not utilize their musical training at all. For instance, positions such as sales associates at various establishments, customer service representatives, and even roles in entirely unrelated fields like IT or healthcare showcase a lack of connection to their Music education. While these jobs may draw on general skills like communication or organizational abilities — skills that can be beneficial in virtually any career — they do not directly engage the core competencies related to music or performance.
On the other hand, a decent number of graduates have successfully landed positions that align perfectly with their music education, such as music teachers in schools, performance roles as musicians, and positions within music administration or production. These relevant roles often require extensive knowledge in music theory, pedagogy, composition, performance, and production, clearly indicating a strong connection between their educational background and professional endeavors. For example, many musicians, music educators, and arts coordinators effectively leverage their degrees in their daily work, directly contributing to the music community or leading educational efforts.
In summary, while many music graduates have pursued careers closely tied to their field of study, a significant number find themselves in positions that do not utilize their music-specific skills and knowledge. This discrepancy highlights that while a degree in Music opens several doors, the paths taken by graduates are vastly diverse, not always leading directly back to the musical world they studied. It's an intriguing juxtaposition, showing both the versatility of a Music degree and the challenges graduates face in finding employment that fully engages their training and passion for music.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Music graduates:
When you look at the career paths of music graduates from various colleges, the trends can be quite revealing. It's pretty clear that many graduates start out in roles that aren’t directly tied to music. For instance, many first jobs seem to be in administrative or non-music-related positions. Roles like administrative assistants, customer service reps, and intern positions are common graduates’ first steps into the job market. This often suggests a broader search for job stability and work experience rather than a strict adherence to a music-related career right off the bat.
Fast forward five to ten years, and you see a bit of a divide. Some have found their way back to music-related jobs, often as music educators, directors, or instructors, which is great because it shows that even if they start in unrelated fields, they still have aspirations to work in music. However, it's also evident that a significant number of graduates stay outside the music realm, branching into various education, administration, or technical fields. This can be a bit disheartening if you're thinking about a degree in music and hoping for a straightforward career path in something like performing or teaching music.
Overall, while some music graduates indeed follow a trajectory that keeps them connected to their passion, many seem to drift into more stable, conventional roles. This highlights a reality—a music degree can open doors, but it may not always lead directly to the career one envisions right at the start. For students considering a music degree, it’s vital to be flexible and open to different possibilities, as the journey can take unexpected turns!
Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Music can be pretty challenging, but it really depends on what area you’re focusing on and how passionate you are about it. You'll be juggling things like performance, theory, history, and sometimes even composition, which demands a lot of practice and dedication. If you're a performer, you’ll need to constantly hone your skills, and that can mean hours of practice every day. Plus, music theory can get pretty complex, so it’s not just about being able to play an instrument. However, if you love music and are willing to put in the time and effort, it can be one of the most rewarding experiences ever, even if it’s a bit tough along the way!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Music.
Looking at the job histories of these music graduates, it feels like the financial outcomes really vary from person to person. Some have climbed into roles with universities and established institutions, like the Administrative Project Coordinator at the University of Virginia or the Producer at SiriusXM, which likely come with decent salaries and benefits. Others, though, are still holding down positions that seem more on the lower end of the pay scale, such as working at restaurants or as servers, which probably means they’re not raking it in as much as they’d hope. Overall, I’d say while some are probably doing well, many might be struggling to make a living just based on the types of jobs they’ve landed post-graduation.
It’s clear that the music field can be unpredictable when it comes to job prospects and income. Those who have navigated towards more stable roles in education or administrative positions seem to have better financial stability, while others working gig jobs or in entry-level positions might find it tougher to make a comfortable living. It’s a tough industry, and it seems like a mix of passion, persistence, and luck is crucial in finding your path to financial success after studying music.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Music. This may or may not be useful:
