What can you do with a Photography degree from Columbia College Chicago?

First, some facts. Of the Photography graduates from Columbia College Chicago 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 62%, Photography graduates from Columbia College Chicago have a slightly lower likelihood (-5%) 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 Photography graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

• What jobs can you get with a Photography degree from Columbia College Chicago?
• What do Photography graduates from Columbia College Chicago do 1, 5 or 10 years out?
• How hard is a Photography degree from Columbia College Chicago? How long does it take?
• How much money can you make with a Photography degree from Columbia College Chicago?
• What are the best colleges for Photography?

View a random Photography graduate from Columbia College Chicago and our analysis:

Any relevance score High relevance score Medium relevance score Low relevance score

Any graduation year 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010

View another random profile

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What jobs can you get with a Photography degree from Columbia College Chicago?

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

• Commissioned Photographer
• Freelance Photographer
• Sales and Training Coordinator
• Head Cashier
• Optical Assistant
• Family Caretaker
• Sales Assistant
• Customer Service Associate
• Customer Service Lead
• Department Supervisor

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A lot of folks who graduated with a degree in Photography from Columbia College Chicago have ended up in quite a mix of jobs post-college, and surprisingly, only a handful are directly related to photography. From roles like a Manager at a salon or a Sales Coordinator in various companies to positions in retail and customer service, it's clear that many have veered off the photography path. While some of these jobs, like being a Beauty Studio Coordinator at SEPHORA or working as a Promotions Assistant, might use some visual skills or an understanding of aesthetics, they don’t really take full advantage of the specialized training that comes with a photography degree. On the flip side, there are definitely some standout positions that fully embrace the photography focus—like various freelance photographer roles or being a Photographer/Retoucher. These jobs really leverage the skills learned during their studies and connect directly to the art and practice of photography. So, in general, while graduates are landing jobs that might use some of their photography knowledge, the percentage of roles that truly align with their degree is noticeably smaller. If you're thinking about a degree in photography, just keep in mind that it might open doors to creative roles beyond traditional photography!

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

What kind of career trajectories do Photography graduates from Columbia College Chicago have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

Looking at the career paths of Columbia College Chicago Photography graduates, there's a mix of exciting opportunities and some unexpected turns. Right after graduation, many of them seem to land jobs that are either directly related to photography or involve creative roles, like being freelance photographers, studio coordinators, or working in galleries. There are also quite a few who end up in sales and education roles, particularly in the beauty and fashion sectors, which often leverage their visual skills. This makes sense since photography plays a huge role in marketing and branding, and those skills can translate well into these types of jobs.

However, as we look a bit further down the road, some graduates seem to veer away from photography into more unrelated fields. While some do manage to build successful careers in photography-related roles, such as working for media companies or as freelance photographers, others have transitioned into completely different paths—like real estate or retail management. It seems that while some folks find their niche in photography, others take their skills in a different direction, mixing things up with a blend of sales, management, or even totally new industries. So, while there's a solid base of photographers among these graduates, it's clear that not everyone sticks closely to photography in the long term!

How hard is a Photography degree from Columbia College Chicago?

Getting a Bachelor's degree in Photography at Columbia College Chicago is pretty challenging, but it's definitely manageable if you're passionate about it. You’ll be juggling a mix of technical skills, creative projects, and art theory, which means you need to stay organized and motivated. The coursework can be intense, with tons of hands-on assignments, critiques, and possibly long hours in the darkroom or behind the camera. Overall, it’s not necessarily harder than other art degrees, but it does require a solid commitment and a willingness to learn and grow. If you love photography and are ready to put in the work, you'll probably find it a rewarding experience.

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 Photography.

Do Photography graduates from Columbia College Chicago tend to make good money?

Looking at the careers of these Columbia College Chicago photography grads, it seems like they've had a mixed bag when it comes to making decent money. Some have landed solid roles in established companies and have climbed the ladder, especially those in coordinator and executive positions at larger brands like SEPHORA and Saie, which usually pays pretty well. Others took more freelance or entry-level gigs, like photography assistants or gallery roles, which often don't offer much in terms of salary. Still, it seems like a few of them are finding their niche over time and could be doing reasonably well if they've secured steady gigs or built a solid portfolio. Overall, it's clear that while some have hit the jackpot in terms of career growth, others may still be hustling to carve out their path in the creative field.

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

What are the best colleges for Photography?

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