What can you do with a Hospitality Administration and Management degree from James Madison University?

First, some facts. Of the Hospitality Administration and Management graduates from James Madison University 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 16 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 60%, Hospitality Administration and Management graduates from James Madison University have a lower likelihood (-7%) 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.

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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 Hospitality Administration and Management graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

• What jobs can you get with a Hospitality Administration and Management degree from James Madison University?
• What do Hospitality Administration and Management graduates from James Madison University do 1, 5 or 10 years out?
• How hard is a Hospitality Administration and Management degree from James Madison University? How long does it take?
• How much money can you make with a Hospitality Administration and Management degree from James Madison University?
• What are the best colleges for Hospitality Administration and Management?

View a random Hospitality Administration and Management graduate from James Madison University and our analysis:

Relevance score: 67% We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree. DEGREE INFO Graduated in 2020 from James Madison University with a Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Administration and Management. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION Information Technology Recruiter The Judge Group Aug 2020 - May 2021 The position of Information Technology Recruiter does not require any skills or knowledge from a Hospitality Administration and Management degree, as it focuses on technical recruitment rather than hospitality principles. Wedding Account Manager City Experiences May 2021 - Jun 2022 The role of Wedding Account Manager at City Experiences utilizes some customer service and event planning skills relevant to hospitality, but it does not fully leverage the specific skills and knowledge gained from a Hospitality Administration degree. Catering sales executive W Hotels Jul 2022 - Present As a Catering Sales Executive at W Hotels, the job directly employs hospitality management skills learned from the degree, requiring knowledge of event planning and customer relations on a daily basis. ABOUT With a degree in hospitality and an extensive background in sales I prioritize good service and creating exceptional experiences for all clients' and guests' needs. As a hospitality and event sales professional I have developed a passion for selling, detailing and coordinating a variety of events. My focus in weddings and social events has allowed me to become incredibly detail oriented while creating exceptional and intimate moments for all of my clients. As a Catering Sales Executive, I have successfully executed the full sales cycle from inbound lead to event execution to post-event follow up. I am skilled in managing several different types of accounts by developing knowledge and understanding of each client's needs in order to accomplish the clients ultimate goal, an unforgettable experience.

What jobs can you get with a Hospitality Administration and Management degree from James Madison University?

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

• Front Desk Agent
• Catering Manager
• Administrative Assistant
• Summer Property Management Intern
• Front Office Lead Coordinator
• Talent Acquisition Assistant
• Talent Acquisition Operations Coordinator
• Blizzard Beach Water Park Main Gate
• Fronst desk Agent
• After School Care Worker

After taking a look at the diverse array of jobs that graduates from James Madison University with a degree in Hospitality Administration and Management have landed, it’s clear that many of them have pursued careers closely tied to the hospitality industry. The most common roles include chefs, event managers, and customer service positions like front desk agents and servers. These jobs, such as Lead Cook, Catering Manager, and Restaurant Manager, all leverage the skills and knowledge acquired during their studies, making them highly relevant to the field of hospitality. Many situations require critical thinking, organization, and strong interpersonal skills, all of which are key components of a Hospitality Administration program.

However, it's also interesting to see that not every role taken by recent graduates aligns perfectly with their degree. Some have ventured into areas like project management, human resources, and even technical recruiting, where the connection to hospitality isn’t as strong. For example, jobs like Processor and Administrative Assistant don’t draw much from the core principles of hospitality management. Overall, while the degree provides a solid foundation for many hospitality-related careers, there are certainly instances where graduates find themselves in roles that, while they might use some transferable skills, aren't at the heart of hospitality management. So, while plenty of graduates have stayed true to their field, a fair number have explored a wider range of opportunities beyond just traditional hospitality roles.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Hospitality Administration and Management graduates (this is across all Hospitality Administration and Management graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to James Madison University):

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

Looking at the career paths of graduates from James Madison University with degrees in Hospitality Administration and Management, it’s clear that many have started off in roles directly related to the hospitality industry. For example, many of the recent graduates had internships or entry-level positions that gave them hands-on experience in restaurants, hotels, and event management—like working as front desk agents, catering coordinators, or event managers. These kinds of roles are great for building foundational skills in hospitality, such as customer service, organization, and teamwork.

Fast forward 5 to 10 years down the line, and you see a mix of successes and diversions. Some alumni have moved up the ladder to substantial positions, such as executive chefs, event directors, and managers at reputable companies like Marriott and Walt Disney. However, there are also examples of graduates shifting paths entirely—like moving into roles in marketing, recruitment, and even corporate event management outside the traditional hospitality sector. This variety suggests that while many graduates do find success in hospitality-related careers, others venture into different fields, which can be just as fulfilling depending on individual interests and opportunities. Overall, it seems that a degree in Hospitality Administration and Management from JMU can lead to a strong start in both hospitality and other industries, providing versatility in career options.

How hard is a Hospitality Administration and Management degree from James Madison University?

Honestly, getting a Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Administration and Management at James Madison University can be a mixed bag, kind of like a buffet – some parts are super fun, while others can be pretty challenging. Generally, these programs aren’t considered the hardest in the academic world, but you’re definitely going to need to put in some effort, especially with group projects, internships, and those practical components that bring the classroom to life. Expect to dive into some serious hands-on learning, which can be a blast if you’re passionate about it. So, while it might be a bit easier than, say, engineering or physics, it still requires commitment and a good attitude to get through all those assignments and experiences!

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 from James Madison University tend to make good money?

Looking at these James Madison University grads, it's a mixed bag when it comes to their earnings. Some have made decent strides, especially those climbing the culinary ladder from line cooks to executive chefs and even sales reps in food service. Others, like the hospitality folks who started at Disney and moved through various restaurant roles, might not be raking in the big bucks initially, as entry-level positions in hospitality often pay less. The recent grads seem to be working their way up, doing internships and entry-level jobs that can lead to better pay, especially in event management and real estate. Overall, while some are likely making a comfortable income now, many started off pretty modestly, as is common in the hospitality industry.

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 is across all Hospitality Administration and Management graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to James Madison University). 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