What can you do with a Hospitality Administration and Management degree?

First, some facts. Of the Hospitality Administration and Management 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 1126 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 63%, Hospitality Administration and Management graduates have a slightly lower likelihood (-4%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 63%
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 16% 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 Hospitality Administration and Management graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random Hospitality Administration and Management graduate and our analysis:


Relevance score: 100%

We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2022 from Florida International University with a Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Administration and Management. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Service Manager
Fifth Group Restaurants
Sep 2022 - Mar 2023
As a Service Manager at Fifth Group Restaurants, the role directly involves hospitality management concepts and applies specific skills acquired during a degree in Hospitality Administration and Management.

Front of House Manager
White Oak Kitchen & Cocktails
Mar 2023 - Nov 2023
The position of Front of House Manager at White Oak Kitchen & Cocktails requires substantial application of hospitality management skills and knowledge, directly aligning with the individual's degree.

Manager
Piedmont Driving Club
Jun 2023 - Present
Serving as a Manager at Piedmont Driving Club necessitates expertise in hospitality management principles, which are core components of the Bachelor's degree, making it highly relevant.

ABOUT

Dedicated hospitality professional with a passion for creating exceptional guest experiences in both hotel and restaurant settings. Armed with a solid foundation in hospitality management, I thrive in dynamic environments where attention to detail and excellent interpersonal skills are paramount. My journey in the industry has equipped me with expertise in ensuring guest satisfaction, managing diverse teams, and optimizing operational efficiency. Committed to continuous learning and staying abreast of industry trends, I am driven by a genuine love for providing top-notch service.

What jobs can you get with a Hospitality Administration and Management degree?

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


When looking at the career paths of individuals who have graduated with a degree in Hospitality Administration and Management, a few distinct themes begin to emerge regarding the relevance of their jobs to their academic background. Many graduates find roles directly related to hospitality, while others venture into different fields that, while potentially utilizing some hospitality skills, do not align comprehensively with their training.

The most common positions held by these graduates include roles in hotel management, guest services, and event coordination. Many find jobs as Front Desk Agents, where they apply customer service skills and operational knowledge that are central to hospitality management. Others take on roles such as Event Managers or Catering Coordinators, which utilize event planning and customer engagement strategies learned during their studies. These positions often capitalize on their expertise in hospitality principles, emphasizing the strong alignment between their education and job responsibilities.

However, numerous graduates also transition into fields that are not expressly hospitality-oriented, such as marketing, sales, or even positions in completely unrelated sectors like real estate and education. These roles sometimes share customer service or management skills, yet they often lack the essential hospitality knowledge critical to positions like restaurant and hotel management. For instance, several graduates became sales representatives or worked as recruiters in industries where direct hospitality management skills are less applicable. This trend highlights a considerable divergence in how effectively they can apply their acquired expertise outside of traditional hospitality roles.

Overall, while many graduates have successfully secured positions that leverage their hospitality education, there is also a significant portion whose careers have taken them down paths that do not directly reflect the core competencies of their degree. This divergence suggests that while a degree in Hospitality Administration and Management can provide strong foundational skills, the application of these skills in the job market can vary widely depending on individual career choices and opportunities available after graduation.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Hospitality Administration and Management graduates:

What kind of career trajectories do Hospitality Administration and Management graduates have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

So, let's dive into the career trajectories of recent graduates from Hospitality Administration and Management programs. After analyzing a vast number of LinkedIn profiles, it's pretty clear that these graduates often follow a path that seems quite promising within the hospitality industry, though individual experiences vary widely.

Typically, right after graduation, many of these fresh faces land entry-level positions that are closely aligned with their studies. Common first jobs include roles like front desk agents, food and beverage attendants, and event coordinators. These roles help them gain hands-on experience in operational functions critical to hospitality. Over the next five years, a good number of these graduates tend to climb the ladder within their chosen companies. For instance, some move from being front desk agents to front office managers or from server positions to managerial roles within restaurants. You’ll also find that many graduates start to specialize, directly contributing to their employers’ success in areas like event management or food and beverage services.

Now, looking at a longer horizon of about ten years down the line, many graduates are transitioning into senior management positions, such as department heads or general managers. There are several who've established themselves as leaders in their organizations, moving into roles like Director of Sales or Operations Manager. It's clear that the trajectory is quite strong for those who remain in the hospitality industry, and many graduates unlock upper management or administrative roles, leveraging their experience to advance further. However, it should also be noted that some individuals pivot toward completely different fields, discovering passions outside of traditional hospitality, like marketing, human resources, or event planning in various sectors.

On the flip side, there are definitely some graduates who hit a plateau or drift into roles that feel less connected to their studies, often in sales, customer service, or even unrelated industries altogether. This could potentially stem from over-saturation in certain job markets or a mismatch in career goals post-graduation. However, even those with less directly related careers can find value in their initial experiences in hospitality, gaining customer service skills and operational knowledge that can be transferable to any job.

In summary, the general outlook for graduates in Hospitality Administration and Management appears favorable, with many diving into positions that allow them to climb the corporate ladder within the hospitality and related fields. While not every path remains directly aligned with hospitality, the foundational skills gained during their studies offer a solid footing to navigate various career options. It's an exciting field with a plethora of opportunities, but as with any career journey, the initial steps can vary greatly between individuals.

How hard is a Hospitality Administration and Management degree?

A Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Administration and Management can be a mixed bag when it comes to difficulty. Generally, it’s not considered one of the toughest degrees out there, especially compared to fields like engineering or pre-med. You’ll definitely have to juggle some coursework, which might include things like event planning, food service management, and marketing, but a lot of it is pretty practical and hands-on. Expect group projects and presentations, so if you like working with others, that could make it a bit easier. Overall, it's usually manageable, but you’ll still have to put in the time and effort to really succeed and learn what you need to know!

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 Hospitality Administration and Management.

Do Hospitality Administration and Management graduates tend to make good money?

Alright, so let’s break down whether these hospitality grads are making decent money or not. Generally speaking, it looks like many of them have started to find their footing in various roles, especially those who graduated more recently. For instance, those moving into management positions at hotels or restaurants tend to earn good salaries. On the other hand, some still seem stuck in entry-level roles or service jobs, which typically pay less. This discrepancy can definitely affect their overall earning potential.

If we look at graduates who have advanced into managerial or specialized positions, like those in sales or event coordination at established companies, they’re likely pulling in better pay. However, the pay of those who remain in support roles or haven't moved beyond basic service positions is typically not as high, which can be a bummer considering the investment put into their education. In short, while there’s a mix of financial success stories here, it really boils down to the paths they've chosen post-graduation.

What buzzwords do Hospitality Administration and Management 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 Hospitality Administration and Management. This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Hospitality Administration and Management?

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

College Score Count
Kendall College 81 12
University of Phoenix 80 13
Penn State University 78 16
University of South Carolina 75 11
University of North Texas 73 26
Indiana University of Pennsylvania 71 12
University of Central Florida 69 40
University of Nevada-Las Vegas 67 64
CUNY New York City College of Technology 66 20
Florida International University 64 57
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona 64 31
University of Central Florida Rosen College of Hospitality Management 63 37
Florida State University 62 29
Missouri State University 62 15
James Madison University 60 16
Georgia State University 58 10
State University of New York College at Buffalo 58 10
The Ohio State University 56 14
Johnson & Wales University 53 14
Monroe College 53 13
East Carolina University 51 13
University of Missouri-Columbia 49 12
University of South Carolina-Columbia 44 10
University of Mississippi 43 10