Degrees
Colleges
About
First, some facts. Of the Music Education 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 202 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Slightly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 71%, Music Education graduates have a slightly higher likelihood (+4%) 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, 51% 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 Education graduate.
See the details:
|
Relevance score: 100% We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2019 from Howard Payne University with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONMusic Teacher Ector County ISD Jul 2019 - Present ABOUTI love sharing my passion for music with young, excited students. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When we look at the career paths of individuals who have earned a degree in Music Education, we can see a wide variety of jobs. Many graduates tend to gravitate towards positions within education, particularly roles like music teacher, choir director, or band director, which are directly relevant to their degrees. These positions allow them to apply the specialized skills and knowledge they gained during their studies. For instance, numerous individuals have taken roles such as K-12 music educators at various schools, which not only utilize their music education training but also provide them with the opportunity to instill a passion for music in younger generations. Other common positions include choir or band directors at schools and community organizations, showing a clear commitment to fostering musical talent in diverse settings.
However, it's important to recognize that not all positions held by these graduates are relevant to their Music Education background. Many have ventured into jobs like sales, administrative roles, or even unrelated fields like law or healthcare. For example, some alumni ended up in customer service or technical roles that do not utilize any of the specialized skills or knowledge derived from their music education degree. Roles such as cashier, software developer, or even substitute teacher (for non-music subjects) highlight this trend. While skills like teamwork, communication, and organization can certainly be beneficial in any career, they do not necessarily make these roles relevant to the field of music education.
Looking at the larger picture, most individuals with a Music Education degree typically find themselves in music-centered roles where they can teach and promote musical education directly. Yet, a proportion of graduates step into positions that do not align with their degree, demonstrating the versatility of skills obtained through music education but also indicating a shift towards careers that don’t utilize that background fully. Overall, while many graduates secure relevant positions, there is a notable trend of alumni entering unrelated fields, emphasizing the diverse career opportunities available to individuals regardless of their specific degrees.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Music Education graduates:
Analyzing the career trajectories of individuals who graduated with degrees in Music Education reveals a diverse set of outcomes that reflect both promising paths within the field and, for some, a deviation into unrelated careers. Generally, these graduates tend to land their first jobs soon after graduation in educational settings, which is aligned with their specialization. For instance, many have secured positions as music educators in schools or teaching capacities that make good use of their musical training. Often, it's common for several graduates to begin their careers as teaching assistants, music teachers, or even band directors, which demonstrates a clear alignment with their education. This is encouraging, showing that many do follow through on their initial training and passion for music education in a professional setting right after college.
However, as we look at the same individuals five or ten years down the line, the narrative becomes more varied. While many continue in music education with notable titles like band directors or music specialists, others have transitioned into significantly different roles. Some have opted for careers in fields such as customer service, law, or even software development, indicating a drift away from traditional music education roles. There are even cases where graduates have taken careers that appear entirely unrelated to their degree, such as administrative positions or working in retail. This could raise questions on job satisfaction or perhaps financial necessity driving these graduates to seek opportunities outside of music education. Therefore, while there are a significant number of individuals successfully pursuing careers within their educational specialty, there are also notable instances of graduates straying from their original paths, which could present challenges or reflect personal changes in priorities.
In conclusion, while a good portion of Music Education graduates appear to find their footing in music-related careers shortly after graduation, the longer-term perspective reveals a mixed bag where some remain committed to music education while others diverge into alternate paths. Thus, it highlights the importance for aspiring music educators to remain adaptable and consider a broader range of opportunities that might arise post-graduation, recognizing that career paths may evolve in unexpected ways. As a high school student thinking about your future career, it's crucial to be aware of this spectrum and think about how your skills could transfer across various fields.
A Bachelor’s degree in Music Education can be pretty challenging, but it really depends on how passionate you are about music and teaching. You’ll be diving into music theory, performance, and pedagogy, which means you’ll not only be taking classes like music history and composition but also working on your instrument or voice pretty intensely. Plus, there’s a whole practical side where you’ll need to create lesson plans and teach real kids during your practicum, which can be nerve-racking. So, while it can be tougher than some more straightforward degrees, if you love music and enjoy sharing it with others, the hard work can feel super rewarding! Just be ready to juggle a lot of different tasks at once!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Music Education.
Based on the various LinkedIn profiles, it's clear that the job paths of Music Education graduates vary quite a bit in terms of financial outcomes. Some individuals are firmly planted in stable teaching positions and have built a career around their credentials, which usually means a somewhat steady paycheck, but it might not be super high. For example, most music teachers start with salaries that can often be on the lower end, especially in public schools. On the other hand, positions like Band Directors or those who have transitioned into roles with more responsibility, like Directors of Bands or educational consultants, might be pulling in a more comfortable income over time. Likewise, those who have moved into hybrid roles—combining music with other fields—tend to enjoy better financial rewards.
However, there are also some graduates who appear to be stuck in jobs that aren’t directly related to music education or are working multiple side gigs, which may indicate they haven't quite hit the financial “jackpot” expected after getting a degree. Even with impressive roles like Band Directors, various educators often seem to juggle different jobs to make ends meet. So while some paths look promising and may lead to decent earnings, others seem to suggest the struggle to find fulfilling and financially stable positions in the music education sector. Overall, it's a mixed bag—some graduates may enjoy solid income, while others might still be finding their way, and that's important to consider when you're thinking about what you want to do after high school!
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 Education. This may or may not be useful:
