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First, some facts. Of the Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations 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 161 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 52%, Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations graduates have a much lower likelihood (-15%) 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 13% 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 Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.
See the details:
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Relevance score: 41% We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2020 from Illinois State University with a Bachelor's degree in Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONAssistant Manager in Training Sherwin-Williams Oct 2020 - Mar 2021 Assistant Manager Sherwin-Williams Mar 2021 - Aug 2021 Implementation Consultant I  Paylocity Aug 2021 - Jan 2022 Lead Hostess Punch Bowl Social Feb 2022 - Jul 2022 Client Services Support Associate Shaker Recruitment Marketing Jul 2022 - Jan 2024 Account Executive  Shaker Recruitment Marketing Jan 2024 - Present ABOUTThrough previous experience, I have obtained knowledge in managing my own business, marketing, and producing the work I sold. I have a strong sense of customer service, as it has taken precedence in each of my job roles. I take pride in being a very ambitious young woman who looks forward to owning her own business(es) one day. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
The journey of individuals who have pursued a degree in Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations showcases a diverse array of career paths. Based on the LinkedIn analysis provided, many graduates have ventured into positions that span from sales roles to managerial jobs in various sectors, including retail, finance, hospitality, and even self-employment. This variety suggests that while many of these roles draw upon some aspects of business management, few of them directly utilize the core principles of entrepreneurship that were taught during their studies.
Among the most common job types for these graduates are roles in sales and management, reflecting the significant overlap between entrepreneurial skills and general business operations. Positions like Sales Representatives and Account Managers are prevalent, showcasing skills in client relationship management and sales strategies. However, despite involving important business skills, many of these roles do not wholly embody the essence of entrepreneurial practice, which focuses on innovation, risk management, and the full lifecycle of running a small business. A substantial number of graduates have found themselves in operational roles, such as Operations Managers or Project Coordinators, which utilize some entrepreneurial skills related to efficiency and processes, but often lack the creative aspect of entrepreneurship that defines small business owners.
Interestingly, a significant number of graduates have also assumed self-employed or entrepreneurial roles, like business owners or founders. These positions align directly with the core learning objectives of their degree, demonstrating a clear applicability. However, they are in the minority compared to those in more traditional employments. Many jobs, although indirectly related, engage skills like customer service, team management, and strategic planning, which, while valuable, do not require the specialized knowledge and competencies specific to entrepreneurship. As such, the overall assessment indicates a spectrum of relevance: while some roles are closely aligned with the principles of Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations, many others are quite distant from them, focusing instead on general business practices or outside skills. Ultimately, those graduates working in roles that directly leverage their entrepreneurial training are proportionally less than those in broader business management or sales roles that do not emphasize entrepreneurship prominently.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations graduates:
When we look at the career trajectories of graduates in Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations, there's a mixed bag of experiences. From recent alumni to those with several years in the workforce, it becomes evident that career paths can vary significantly. For many, the first job after graduating tends to be fairly entry-level and often disconnected from their field of study. For instance, we see graduates taking roles as food servers, administrative assistants, or sales representatives shortly after graduation, which, while valuable for gaining work experience, may not directly align with their entrepreneurial aspirations. These entry-level positions suggest that many graduates need to build their skills and establish a professional network before moving into more relevant roles.
Fast forward 5 to 10 years later, and we also see quite a range of outcomes. Some graduates indeed climb the career ladder, moving into higher positions such as project managers or founders of their businesses, which is awesome for those who managed to channel their education into real entrepreneurial ventures. However, there's another group that remains in roles either at the same level or shifts to different fields altogether, like sales, customer service, or even completely new industries. It reflects a reality where not everyone gets to start their own business or work in the small business sector as they had hoped. Overall, while there are success stories that show there's potential for growth and entrepreneurship, a good number of graduates might find themselves in jobs that don’t quite reflect their academic background or entrepreneurial goals, indicating a challenging job market for new graduates in this field.
Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations can be a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to difficulty. If you’re super passionate about starting your own business and have a knack for creativity and problem-solving, you might find it to be on the easier side compared to more technical majors like engineering or physics. That said, it still requires a solid grasp of business concepts, economics, and some practical skills like marketing and finance, so it’s not a walk in the park either. You’ll definitely have to put in the effort, but the hands-on projects and real-world applications can make it pretty interesting and engaging, which often helps balance out the workload!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations.
Looking at the careers of these grads, there’s a mixed bag when it comes to financial success. For instance, graduates like the one from California State University, Chico who’s a food server probably isn’t raking in high earnings right out of college, while someone like the owner of Half Brothers Brewing Company or the Key Account Manager at Golden West Packaging Group appears to have built solid, potentially lucrative careers. Their paths show that while some have made substantial strides in their professional lives, many others are still in entry-level or lower-paying roles. It’s also worth noting that starting businesses can be hit or miss, leading to uncertain income in the early stages.
Others, like some grads in sales or marketing positions, may be on the track to earnings that can grow significantly over time, especially if they land key roles in competitive industries. Overall, it seems some of these graduates have done well, likely earning decent money, while others are still building their careers and waiting for that financial payoff to come through. Remember, the path can be different for everyone, and it often depends on the industry and job level you start in!
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations. This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations (ordered by the average relevance score of their Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:
| College | Score | Count |
|---|---|---|
 University of Phoenix
|
45 | 13 |