What can you do with a Hospitality Administration and Management degree from Penn State University?

First, some facts. Of the Hospitality Administration and Management graduates from Penn State 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? Significantly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 78%, Hospitality Administration and Management graduates from Penn State University have a much higher likelihood (+11%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 78%
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 6% 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 from Penn State University and our analysis:


Relevance score: 54%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2010 from Penn State University with a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Hospitality Administration and Management. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Food and Beverage Supervisor
Hollywood Casino
Jan 2011 - Feb 2012
As a Food and Beverage Supervisor at Hollywood Casino, the position directly relates to hospitality management principles and requires specific skills obtained from the Bachelors degree.

Restaurant Manager
UNO Pizzeria & Grill
Feb 2012 - Jul 2012
The role of Restaurant Manager at UNO Pizzeria & Grill involves key responsibilities in hospitality, operations, and customer service that align closely with the skills and knowledge from the Bachelor's in Hospitality Administration and Management.

Food and Beverage Manager
Valley Forge Casino Resort
Feb 2012 - Aug 2012
As a Food and Beverage Manager at Valley Forge Casino Resort, the job requires substantial application of hospitality management expertise, making it highly relevant to the degree.

Assistant Director Of Operations
IHOP
Jun 2012 - Nov 2012
The Assistant Director of Operations at IHOP focuses on operational management within the food service industry, utilizing knowledge from the Bachelors program in hospitality.

Key Manager
Carmel Cafe and Wine Bar
Oct 2013 - Feb 2014
As a Key Manager at Carmel Cafe and Wine Bar, the position requires skills in hospitality management and operations, making it directly applicable to the field of study.

Team Lead
Qdoba Mexican Grill - Twin Cities Group Catering
Aug 2014 - Jul 2015
The role of Team Lead at Qdoba Mexican Grill may involve some skills in customer service and team management, but it primarily focuses on fast-casual dining rather than the broader hospitality management concepts from the degree.

Fabrication Specialist
Viant Medical
May 2022 - Present
The position of Fabrication Specialist at Viant Medical does not require hospitality-related knowledge or skills, making it unrelated to the Bachelors degree in Hospitality Administration and Management.

ABOUT

Experienced General Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the food & beverages industry. Skilled in Cooking, Hospitality Industry, Customer Service, Account Management, and Food & Beverage. Strong operations professional with a Bachelor of Science (BS) focused in Hospitality Administration/Management from Penn State University.

What jobs can you get with a Hospitality Administration and Management degree from Penn State University?

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 graduates from Penn State University with a degree in Hospitality Administration and Management, it's clear that many of them have tended to land in jobs predominantly related to the hospitality industry. Positions like Restaurant Manager, Food and Beverage Manager, Event Producer, and various roles in culinary management are among the most common. These jobs naturally connect to the skills and knowledge gained during their studies, emphasizing customer service, operational management, food service, and event planning. This trend indicates a strong alignment between their educational background and the professional roles they've chosen.

However, there are also numerous instances where graduates have veered off into roles that aren't closely related to their field of study. Positions in banking, financial services, and even human resources showcase a significant shift away from hospitality-related tasks. While some of these roles might use interpersonal skills honed in hospitality, they don't fully utilize the specialized knowledge the graduates received. Overall, while many alumni successfully leverage their degrees in hospitality-centric positions, a noticeable portion has taken on jobs that lack direct relevance to their education, suggesting that their degree offers flexibility but may not always lead to a career strictly within hospitality management.

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 Penn State University):

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

Looking at the career trajectories of graduates from Penn State University who studied Hospitality Administration and Management, it's clear that many of them have taken paths that are quite relevant to their degree. Right out of college, many of these grads often start in roles like restaurant managers or supervisors in the food and beverage sectors, which makes sense given their background. For instance, grads from 2010 to 2019 commonly began their careers in positions related to restaurant management or event planning, which are directly linked to hospitality.

Fast forward five to ten years later, and while some graduates remain within the hospitality industry, several have shifted to different roles that might not be as closely associated with their original field of study. For example, individuals from the more recent classes have found jobs in general management, event production, and even finance. This suggests a bit of a mixed bag: while many are successfully climbing the ranks in hospitality-related careers, others have ventured into completely different areas. It's worth noting, though, that the initial jobs tend to reflect a strong connection to the hospitality world, showing that these graduates are often able to find relevant work shortly after graduation before possibly exploring other interests as their careers progress.

How hard is a Hospitality Administration and Management degree from Penn State University?

So, when it comes to a Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Administration and Management, especially at a big place like Penn State, it’s really a mixed bag. On one hand, it’s not super tough compared to some other majors that have a lot of hardcore science or heavy theory—you’re mostly looking at classes that deal with management, marketing, and event planning, which can be pretty engaging. However, it does require a good amount of teamwork and practical projects, so if you’re not into group work or hands-on experiences, it might feel a bit challenging. Overall, it’s kind of average in terms of difficulty; it’s not a walk in the park, but it’s definitely manageable if you stay organized and motivated!

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 Penn State University tend to make good money?

Looking at these Penn State graduates, it seems like they've had a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to making money in their hospitality careers. Some folks have climbed the ranks pretty quickly—like the ones who ended up as General Manager or Director of Food and Beverage, which usually means decent pay. Others took a few stops before landing in more stable roles, and some have been in positions that might not pay as well initially, like servers or assistants. Generally, the folks with more experience in managerial roles are likely doing okay, but those just starting out or finding their way could be earning less, especially if they’re still in entry-level or food service jobs. Overall, there are definitely opportunities for decent pay, but not everyone’s hitting the jackpot right away!

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 Penn State 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