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:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
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:
Relevance score: 54%We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated 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 GRADUATIONFood and Beverage SupervisorHollywood Casino Jan 2011 - Feb 2012 Restaurant Manager UNO Pizzeria & Grill Feb 2012 - Jul 2012 Food and Beverage Manager Valley Forge Casino Resort Feb 2012 - Aug 2012 Assistant Director Of Operations IHOP Jun 2012 - Nov 2012 Key Manager Carmel Cafe and Wine Bar Oct 2013 - Feb 2014 Team Lead Qdoba Mexican Grill - Twin Cities Group Catering Aug 2014 - Jul 2015 Fabrication Specialist Viant Medical May 2022 - Present ABOUTExperienced 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. |
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):
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.
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!
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.
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!
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:
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 |