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First, some facts. Of the Speech Communication and Rhetoric 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 68 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 57%, Speech Communication and Rhetoric graduates have a lower likelihood (-10%) 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, 39% 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 Speech Communication and Rhetoric graduate.
See the details:
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Relevance score: 71% We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2017 from The University of Texas at Arlington with a Bachelor's degree in Speech Communication and Rhetoric. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONSales and Marketing Intern Higginbotham Apr 2017 - Aug 2017 Sales Account Executive  Modern Luxury Dec 2018 - Dec 2019 Executive Account Manager Apex Systems Dec 2019 - Sep 2021 Chief Marketing Officer  CMS Pricer Oct 2021 - Present ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
Graduates with a degree in Speech Communication and Rhetoric have ventured into a diverse range of job roles post-graduation, illustrating the varying applicability of their educational background. The most common industries observed include education, marketing, sales, and communication roles. However, the relevance of their jobs to their degree often fluctuates, with some positions entirely aligning with the core competencies gained through their studies while others employ only tangentially related skills.
One key observation is that many individuals have secured positions in education, such as teachers and lecturers, which heavily rely on communication and rhetorical skills developed during their academic journey. For instance, several graduates have become Adjunct Faculty members at community colleges or universities, where their backgrounds in speech communication directly enhance their teaching effectiveness. Similarly, roles like Assistant Director of Forensics or Speech and Debate Teacher highlight a strong connection to the principles of rhetoric and communication theory.
On the flip side, a significant portion of graduates has found themselves in sales, marketing, and managerial roles, where communication is important but not always the focal point. For instance, positions like Sales Account Executive or Chief Marketing Officer do involve communication skills, yet they primarily focus on sales tactics and marketing strategies rather than a comprehensive application of rhetorical principles. This disconnect raises questions about whether a degree in Speech Communication and Rhetoric uniquely prepares graduates for these roles, as many could argue that strong communication skills can be developed through various non-specific experiences.
Furthermore, many jobs indicated only a minimal relevance to the Speech Communication and Rhetoric degree. Positions in technical fields or customer service do utilize some communication skills but often lean more toward operational tasks rather than the advanced rhetorical strategies taught in university courses. Even roles in journalism and content creation can vary in their application of rhetoric; while some positions may fully leverage communication strategies, others may straddle the line of merely requiring basic communication abilities.
In conclusion, it’s quite clear that graduates of Speech Communication and Rhetoric forge careers along both the direct and indirect pathways of their education. Education-based roles represent a significant portion of their career trajectories, wherein they effectively utilize their knowledge. However, many also venture into positions where their degree's relevance may be watered down by the focus on operational or sales functions. While the degree offers critical communication skills, the resultant job market often reflects a broader demand for communicative proficiency over specialized rhetoric expertise. Therefore, it’s crucial for graduates to consider how they can articulate the value of their unique skill set in various professional contexts.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Speech Communication and Rhetoric graduates:
Analyzing the career trajectories of graduates with a degree in Speech Communication and Rhetoric, we can see some recognizable patterns emerge. Many of these individuals started off in roles related to sales, marketing, and education shortly after graduation, with positions like Business Development Representatives, Sales Account Executives, and teaching roles being quite common. This makes sense, as the core skills developed in a Speech Communication program—like effective communication, persuasive speaking, and critical thinking—are highly valuable in fields that require direct interaction with others. Many of these early jobs seem to leverage their communication skills effectively, which bodes well for the relevance of their degree in the real world.
However, when we look at where these graduates end up 5 to 10 years down the line, there begins to be a mixed bag of outcomes. On one hand, we see people transitioning into higher-level roles in education, sales management, or marketing strategists, suggesting that some are indeed utilizing their degree in a fruitful and aligned way. For instance, several individuals have found their way into teaching roles or academic positions, indicating a strong retention of their communication skills and understanding of rhetoric. These paths often allow them to refine their expertise further and even contribute to teaching the next generation.
On the flip side, there are quite a few graduates whose career progressions seem to veer off from anything immediately related to their field of study. Several graduates ended up in positions that don’t necessarily highlight the essential skills learned in Speech Communication, such as roles in customer service, management in retail/restaurant settings, or even unrelated technical positions. This could indicate a struggle in securing employment directly related to their degree or perhaps a broader economic landscape that necessitated taking non-specialized roles. The presence of these detours suggests that while some graduates manage to integrate their education seamlessly into their careers, others may find themselves in roles that do not leverage their degree's unique strengths.
In conclusion, it’s fair to say that a degree in Speech Communication and Rhetoric can lead to a variety of career paths. Many graduates successfully find relevance in roles that utilize their skills in communication, particularly in education and leadership. However, there are also notable instances of graduates landing in seemingly unrelated jobs, which raises questions about the alignment of their degrees with job market needs. Ultimately, while there are strong examples of positive career trajectories, there's an apparent spectrum of outcomes for these individuals that reflects both the potential and the challenges faced in their professional journeys.
A Bachelor degree in Speech Communication and Rhetoric can be a bit of a mixed bag, but many students find it to be on the easier side compared to other degrees. It often involves a lot of reading, writing, and presenting, but if you enjoy talking and analyzing communication styles, you might actually have fun with it. The workload isn't typically overwhelming, and you’ll likely have plenty of opportunities for group work and discussions, which can make studying more enjoyable. Of course, it comes down to your interests; if you’re passionate about the subject, it’ll feel less like a grind and more like an engaging exploration. Overall, it's not the hardest degree out there, but that doesn't mean you can slack off, so stay focused and you'll do just fine!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Speech Communication and Rhetoric.
Looking at the job histories of these Speech Communication and Rhetoric graduates, it seems like they vary quite a bit in terms of money-making potential. Some like the grad from The University of Texas at Arlington seem to have landed higher-level roles quickly, which typically come with better salaries—like being Chief Marketing Officer. On the flip side, others, particularly those who stuck with teaching roles or freelance gigs, might not be raking in as much cash. For example, the person from Baylor University who’s been hopping between teaching and customer service jobs may not be seeing a particularly high income.
Overall, it feels like a mixed bag. While some grads are clearly moving into positions that likely pay well and offer growth, others are in more modest roles that may not provide a strong financial foundation post-college. So, if you're considering a path like this, it’s definitely worth thinking about your long-term earning potential and which industries or roles might be more lucrative after graduation.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Speech Communication and Rhetoric. This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Speech Communication and Rhetoric (ordered by the average relevance score of their Speech Communication and Rhetoric graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates: