What can you do with a Telecommunications degree?

First, some facts. Of the Telecommunications 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 51 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 55%, Telecommunications graduates have a much lower likelihood (-12%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 55%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, only 25% 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 Telecommunications graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random Telecommunications graduate and our analysis:


Relevance score: 40%

We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2010 from Penn State University with a Bachelor's degree in Telecommunications. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Commercial Loan Processor
Northwest Bank
Apr 2014 - Apr 2016
The role of a Commercial Loan Processor does not require telecommunications knowledge or skills, as it primarily focuses on finance and lending rather than telecommunications principles.

Commercial Specialist
Rossbacher Insurance Group
May 2016 - Present
The position as a Commercial Specialist may involve some transferable skills such as analysis and risk assessment, but it does not directly utilize telecommunications knowledge or skills as core qualifications.

ABOUT

No information provided.

What jobs can you get with a Telecommunications degree?

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 those who graduated with degrees in Telecommunications, several patterns emerge regarding the types of jobs they pursued and their relevance to the field. A significant number of graduates moved into media and communication roles, particularly in television and broadcasting. Positions such as Production Assistant, Multimedia Journalist, and various roles at radio and television stations seem to be common starting points. These roles typically require a solid understanding of telecommunications principles, making them highly relevant. For instance, roles such as Technical Media Producer and Broadcast Technical Operator directly utilize the technical skills learned during their degrees. This intersection showcases how graduates can effectively leverage their education in real-world applications related to media production and broadcasting.

However, not all job placements reflect strong relevance to Telecommunications. Many graduates have taken roles that divert sharply from their core education. Positions in marketing, sales, human resources, and various administrative roles sometimes utilize only general communication skills, without necessitating specific telecommunications expertise. For instance, roles such as Sales Representative at AT&T and Marketing Intern positions do not fundamentally require knowledge from a Telecommunications degree. This dilution of relevance raises questions about the employability of these graduates in fields most aligned with their degrees. While some roles, like Social Media Coordinator or Digital Marketing Manager, may employ skills related to communications and media, they often lack the core technical focus central to Telecommunications studies.

In summary, graduates with degrees in Telecommunications primarily find their niche within broadcasting and media production related jobs, which indeed require specific skills and knowledge directly applicable to their education. Conversely, many also branch into areas that only marginally overlap with their degree skills, often utilizing more general communication or marketing tactics. Thus, while there is a significant representation of telecommunications-related roles, there is also a noticeable trend of graduates occupying positions that are not fundamentally aligned with their telecommunications education, raising questions about career paths and the relevance of their degrees in today's job market.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Telecommunications graduates:

What kind of career trajectories do Telecommunications graduates have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

When looking at the career trajectories of these Telecommunications graduates, it's clear that there are varying pathways that people have taken after earning their degrees. Many individuals seem to start with entry-level positions, often in media-related roles or internships, particularly in broadcasting, production, or other communications jobs. For example, graduates from Lee University and Ball State University often kickstarted their careers as interns and production assistants, which aligns well with their degrees. It shows a reasonable first step into the field, as many of these initial roles allow for skill development and networking opportunities within the industry.

As we check out where these graduates are five or ten years later, there’s a mixed bag of successes. Some individuals have found roles with notable companies and advanced significantly. For instance, the Ball State graduate who has climbed the ranks at The E.W. Scripps Company, moving from a director position to a supervisory role in content preparation, is a great example of upward mobility within Telecommunications. On the flip side, several graduates have ended up in positions seemingly unrelated to their Telecommunications degree. A few have shifted into completely different fields, like sales or marketing; others have even ended up in education, which may suggest that the Telecommunications degree opens doors, but not necessarily always to industry-standard jobs.

In truth, while a number of these graduates have built successful careers relevant to Telecommunications, many have had to pivot away from their field of study. It’s clear that some people land great jobs that leverage their Telecommunications background, but others may need to seek opportunities beyond traditional roles in the industry. This reflects a broader trend where graduates sometimes have to adapt and redefine their career goals after college based on market needs and personal interests. In conclusion, while many appear to be doing viable work, it’s also evident that there’s room for improvement and a need for graduates to be flexible in their career aspirations.

How hard is a Telecommunications degree?

The difficulty of a Bachelor’s degree in Telecommunications can really depend on your interests and strengths, but it’s generally considered to be on the moderate side compared to some other engineering or tech-related degrees. You’ll likely encounter a mix of theoretical concepts and practical applications, with courses covering topics like networking, signal processing, and systems design. If you’re good with math and have a knack for technology, you might find it more manageable, but there will still be some challenging moments, especially when diving into complex projects or figuring out how everything works together. Overall, it can be demanding, but it’s definitely doable if you put in the effort and are genuinely interested in the subject!

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 Telecommunications.

Do Telecommunications graduates tend to make good money?

Looking at these graduates and their job histories, it seems like the financial outcomes vary quite a bit. For instance, those who went to Ball State University in 2016 and graduated with roles like Supervisor and Network Broadcast Operator at notable companies like The E.W. Scripps Company likely make a decent income, especially in higher positions. On the flip side, someone who graduated from Lee University in 2012 seems to have more varied roles, including internships and freelance work, which might not stack up to a solid paycheck, especially long-term. Overall, the graduates that landed in more stable positions or those with a trajectory in established companies are probably doing alright money-wise, while others might be piecing together income from multiple sources.

Then there are a few standout cases, like the University of Florida 2013 graduate who climbed the ladder at ESPN, probably raking in a competitive salary. However, many of the roles highlighted indicate that some graduates are still navigating entry-level jobs or inconsistent freelance gigs. So, it's a mixed bag — some are definitely making good money, while others are still working their way up or are stuck in lower-paying roles. It’s all part of the journey, really — some people hit the jackpot right away, while others have to hustle a bit more to get there!

What buzzwords do Telecommunications 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 Telecommunications. This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Telecommunications?

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

College Score Count
University of Florida 64 10
Penn State University 53 11
Ball State University 50 13