New Placement Survey Shows 99 Percent of Recent Missouri Journalism Graduates Have Paid Employment or Are in Graduate School
Top Job Areas Include Online and Social Media Plus TV and Radio
Columbia, Mo. (May 31, 2013) — Almost all – 99 percent – of Missouri School of Journalism undergraduates who earned their bachelor’s degree in 2012 are starting their careers with paid employment or enrollment in a graduate program, according to a new placement survey conducted by the School.
The survey, conducted during the spring 2013 semester, was sent to the 489 undergraduate students who graduated at the end of the 2012 spring, summer and fall semesters. A total of 197, or 40 percent, responded. This represents a confidence level of 95 percent and is accurate within a 5.5 percent margin of error.
“This survey supports what our faculty and staff have long believed, that our graduates are ready for the workforce from day one,” said Lynda Kraxberger, associate dean for undergraduate studies and administration. “Our students are very successful in launching their careers, in part because of the rigorous real-world experience they get in our program.”
The respondents represent a cross-section of students from all undergraduate emphasis areas, including 29 percent who studied strategic communication; 24 percent, radio-television journalism; 19 percent, convergence journalism; 16 percent, magazine journalism; 7 percent, print and digital news; and 5 percent, photojournalism.
“Our graduates are ready for the workforce from day one. Our students are very successful in launching their careers, in part because of the rigorous real-world experience they get in our program.”
Lynda Kraxberger
Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies and Administration
The largest group, 78 percent, said they have a paid full-time position. Twelve percent said they have a paid part-time job. Six percent are enrolled in graduate school; 2 percent report serving a paid internship; and one percent is self-employed. Only one percent noted unemployment.
Seventy-four percent said they are employed in an entry-level position; 25 percent, mid-level; one percent, senior level.
Almost half of the respondents are working with online and social media, 24 percent, or TV and radio, 23 percent. Other job areas include newspapers and wire services, 14 percent; public relations and marketing, 13 percent; advertising agency, 11 percent; and magazine and publishing, 8 percent. Other industries include nonprofits; design and art; teaching; advertising sales; photojournalism; trade publications and newsletters; and Web development.
Six percent reported incomes of more than $50,000 – 2 percent of these in the $70,000-$79,000 range – although most, 39 percent, earn in the $30,000-$39,000 range. Thirteen percent earn in the $40,000-$49,000 range.
The respondents are working in 30 states. Missouri tops the list with 34 percent, followed by Illinois, 13 percent; New York, 11 percent; Virginia, 7 percent; and Texas, 5 percent.
Updated: July 16, 2020