What can you do with a Hospitality Management degree from California State Polytechnic University-Pomona?

First, some facts. Of the Hospitality Management graduates from California State Polytechnic University-Pomona 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 11 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 66%, Hospitality Management graduates from California State Polytechnic University-Pomona have a slightly lower likelihood (-1%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 66%
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 9% 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 Management graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random Hospitality Management graduate from California State Polytechnic University-Pomona and our analysis:


Relevance score: 68%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2014 from California State Polytechnic University-Pomona with a Bachelor of Science - BS in Hospitality Management. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Operations Manager
Marriott International
Dec 2015 - Mar 2020
As an Operations Manager at Marriott International, this role directly applies the knowledge and skills acquired in a Hospitality Management program, focusing on customer service, operational efficiency, and management within the hospitality industry.

Restaurant Manager
Waffle House, Inc.
Jan 2021 - Feb 2022
The position of Restaurant Manager at Waffle House, Inc. is closely related to the individual's degree, requiring specific hospitality management skills such as team leadership, customer relations, and service operations that are essential in a restaurant setting.

Account Executive
Canon Inc.
Feb 2022 - Present
The role of Account Executive at Canon Inc. does not utilize the specific skills or knowledge from a Hospitality Management degree, as it focuses more on sales and account management rather than hospitality-related competencies.

ABOUT

As an Account Executive at Canon, I leverage my 10+ years of experience in customer success and relationship management to cultivate key client relationships for multiple campaigns in diverse industries. I am passionate about resolving customer complaints and promoting conflict resolution, as well as delivering exceptional service and value to every account.I am also a certified SCRUM practitioner and have expertise in AWS and Google Cloud platforms. I use these skills to collaborate with cross-functional teams, optimize workflows, and implement innovative solutions for complex problems. I am always eager to learn new technologies and best practices to enhance my professional development and contribute to Canon's growth and success.

What jobs can you get with a Hospitality Management degree from California State Polytechnic University-Pomona?

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


When looking at the job journey of graduates from California State Polytechnic University-Pomona with a degree in Hospitality Management, you’ll find a mix of roles that range from highly relevant to somewhat unrelated to their studies. The most common roles seem to be positions like Guest Service Agent, Sales and Catering Coordinator, and various managerial positions in food and beverage outlets. Many of these jobs require a strong understanding of customer service, event planning, and hospitality operations, which are key components of their degree. Specifically, roles in hotel management and catering demonstrate a direct application of the skills learned during their studies.

However, there’s also a noticeable trend where some graduates veered off into roles that aren’t directly relevant to hospitality management. Positions in insurance, retail, or administrative functions appeared on a few resumes, indicating that while some grads stayed true to their specialty, others took paths that didn’t fully capitalize on their educational background. Overall, it’s a mixed bag—many graduates found jobs that align well with their degree, while others explored different avenues, possibly due to personal interests, market demands, or available opportunities. In short, if you're thinking about a career in hospitality management, there's a solid chance you could land a relevant job, but be prepared for the possibility of a few detours along the way!

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

What kind of career trajectories do Hospitality Management graduates from California State Polytechnic University-Pomona have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

When you look at the career paths of graduates from California State Polytechnic University-Pomona with a degree in Hospitality Management, it seems like many of them start off strong with entry-level positions closely related to their field. For instance, fresh graduates often land roles as front desk agents, catering supervisors, or guest service representatives shortly after graduation. This initial experience usually helps them gain practical skills and industry knowledge, paving the way for promotions into more advanced positions within a few years. Over time, several alumni climb the ladder to managerial roles, like Food and Beverage Manager or Director of Catering, showing that their education effectively prepares them for the hospitality industry.

However, not every graduate stays on a consistent hospitality track. Some careers take unexpected turns, with individuals venturing into unrelated fields like sales or even account management within a few years of graduation. While some of these graduates do find success in their new paths, others may not appear as job-secure or satisfied. Five to ten years after graduation, many graduates tend to either be in higher management roles within hospitality or have shifted entirely away from it. Overall, those who stick it out in the hospitality scene often see a rewarding and prosperous trajectory, while others might struggle to find their footing in different industries.

How hard is a Hospitality Management degree from California State Polytechnic University-Pomona?

Honestly, getting a Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona is pretty manageable, especially if you have a passion for the industry. It's definitely not a walk in the park, but it's also not on the super tough side like some science or engineering majors can be. You’ll be juggling classes on everything from event planning to food service management, along with some hands-on experiences, which can make it fun and engaging. If you stay organized and keep up with your assignments, you’ll probably find it to be a solid mix of enjoyable and challenging—perfect if you like working with people and learning about the hospitality world!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 3 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Hospitality Management.

Do Hospitality Management graduates from California State Polytechnic University-Pomona tend to make good money?

Looking at the career paths of these Hospitality Management grads from Cal Poly Pomona, it seems like some are doing pretty well, while others might not be raking in the big bucks just yet. The ones who got into management roles, especially in food and beverage or event management, likely saw decent salaries over time, especially since many landed director-level positions after just a few years in the industry. For instance, the folks who climbed the ranks to roles like Director of Food and Beverage or Market Manager probably have a solid income, while others who started off in entry-level positions or have shifted to roles like office assistants or interlibrary loan specialists might not be making much initially. Overall, it looks like there’s potential for good money in this field, but it really depends on the specific career path and how fast they move up!

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

What are the best colleges for Hospitality Management?

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

College Score Count
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona 66 11
University of Central Florida 65 32