What can you do with a Hospitality And Tourism Management degree from Grand Valley State University?

First, some facts. Of the Hospitality And Tourism Management graduates from Grand Valley 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 18 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Slightly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 70%, Hospitality And Tourism Management graduates from Grand Valley State University have a slightly higher likelihood (+3%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 70%
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 5% 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 And Tourism Management graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random Hospitality And Tourism Management graduate from Grand Valley State University and our analysis:


Relevance score: 11%

We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2021 from Grand Valley State University with a Bachelor of Science - BS in Hospitality And Tourism Management. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Community Manager
The Factory
May 2021 - Feb 2022
As a Community Manager, the job may involve some transferable skills related to hospitality, such as customer interaction and event coordination, but it does not directly utilize the core qualifications or specific knowledge from a BS in Hospitality and Tourism Management.

Business Coordinator
TGW North America
Feb 2022 - Present
The role of Business Coordinator does not require any specific skills or knowledge from the hospitality and tourism management degree, focusing instead on business-related tasks that do not align with the core competencies of the degree.

ABOUT

GVSU Alumni. During my college career, I have successfully planned and managed parties, corporate meetings, youth programs, student organization events, weddings and other small-scale events. I am a highly motivated person who has some experience working with vendors, contractors, suppliers and associates; all of whom can ensure the success of any event. I believe I have the passion, skill set and personality to have a lasting impression on all guests.

What jobs can you get with a Hospitality And Tourism Management degree from Grand Valley State University?

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


After checking out the various jobs held by graduates with a Hospitality and Tourism Management degree from Grand Valley State University, it’s clear that many of these positions are quite fitting for the field. A lot of them have worked in roles at hotels, resorts, and theme parks, where customer service and hospitality are front and center. For example, roles like Front Desk Agent, Guest Relations, and various management positions at hotels and Disney parks make a lot of sense because they directly apply the skills learned in their degree, such as guest satisfaction and operational management.

However, not every job listed seemed directly related to Hospitality and Tourism Management. Some people transitioned into roles that involved customer service or basic operational tasks but weren’t heavily tied to hospitality principles. Positions like Purchasing Coordinator or Human Resources Information System Specialist, for instance, seem to stray away from the core focus of hospitality management. Overall, while many graduates found relevant jobs that utilized their degree effectively, there are a fair number who ended up in positions that don’t fully leverage their hospitality education. So, it’s a mixed bag but largely leaning towards relevant hospitality roles!

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Hospitality And Tourism Management graduates (this is across all Hospitality And Tourism Management graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Grand Valley State University):

What kind of career trajectories do Hospitality And Tourism Management graduates from Grand Valley State University have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

Graduates from Grand Valley State University's Hospitality and Tourism Management program tend to start their careers in entry-level positions within the hospitality sector, often taking roles such as front desk agents, guest relations representatives, or event assistants shortly after graduation. For instance, several graduates began their journeys working at major hotel chains and well-known attractions like Walt Disney World, which shows a clear inclination towards roles that are hands-on and customer-focused. This initial experience is crucial as it equips them with practical skills and valuable industry insight.

Looking a bit further down the line, around five to ten years after graduating, many of these alumni advance to managerial and specialized positions. It's common to see them taking on roles like guest experience managers, event coordinators, or even moving into corporate functions within well-respected companies, particularly in hospitality and tourism environments. While not every graduate sticks strictly within the hospitality realm—there are a few examples of alumni transitioning into roles like human resources or program analysis—it’s clear that the majority leverage their degrees to secure rewarding careers closely tied to their field of study. Overall, it seems like most graduates are finding meaningful careers that align with their hospitality and tourism education, which is a positive takeaway for future students considering this path.

How hard is a Hospitality And Tourism Management degree from Grand Valley State University?

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management, like the one at Grand Valley State University, can be pretty manageable for most students. It has a mix of core business classes and specialized courses, which often include hands-on projects and group work that can make the learning process more engaging. While it’s not exactly a walk in the park—you're still going to have to study and put in some effort—it’s generally considered less intense than some other majors that are heavy on theories or sciences. If you're more of a people person and enjoy creative problem-solving, you might find this degree pretty enjoyable and not too overwhelming!

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 And Tourism Management.

Do Hospitality And Tourism Management graduates from Grand Valley State University tend to make good money?

Looking at the job histories of these Hospitality and Tourism Management grads from Grand Valley State University, it's clear that they have had a mix of experiences spanning various positions in the industry. Some seem to have climbed the ladder relatively well, especially those who landed roles at Disney, where it’s likely the pay is decent given the company's reputation. Others, like those in entry-level or support roles, might not be raking in the big bucks yet. Overall, it seems that as they progress in their careers, many of them are landing jobs that likely pay better than what they started with, although it might still be a hustle in the early years. So, while some are probably doing alright financially, especially those in management positions, others might still be working their way up to a more comfortable salary.

What buzzwords do Hospitality And Tourism 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 And Tourism Management (this is across all Hospitality And Tourism Management graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Grand Valley State University). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Hospitality And Tourism Management?

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

College Score Count
Grand Valley State University 70 18
Purdue University 65 20