First, some facts. Of the Kinesiology and Exercise Science graduates from Illinois 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 10 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 80%, Kinesiology and Exercise Science graduates from Illinois State University have a much higher likelihood (+13%) 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, 50% 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 you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a Kinesiology and Exercise Science graduate.
See the details:
Relevance score: 100%We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2023 from Illinois State University with a Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology and Exercise Science. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONPhysician Assistant StudentSouthern Illinois University School of Medicine May 2023 - Present FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGMaster's degreeSouthern Illinois University School of Medicine 2023 - 2025 ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
From the list of LinkedIn profiles, it seems that graduates from Illinois State University with a degree in Kinesiology and Exercise Science have taken on a variety of jobs, with many of them being directly related to their field. Common roles include Sports Performance Specialists, Personal Trainers, Strength Coaches, and various positions within fitness or rehabilitation settings. These jobs typically make use of the knowledge and skills learned in their degree program, especially in areas like human movement, exercise physiology, and athletic performance, which are essential for effectively working in fitness or therapy environments.
However, there are also quite a few cases where graduates have ended up in positions that are not very relevant to Kinesiology and Exercise Science. For example, roles in banking, general assistance internships, and even insurance sales have appeared among their job choices. While some might argue that any job can be a stepping stone to another career, it seems clear that a significant portion of these graduates have moved into roles that utilize their education and training effectively, helping them make a real impact in the fields of health, fitness, and rehabilitation.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Kinesiology and Exercise Science graduates (this is across all Kinesiology and Exercise Science graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Illinois State University):
Graduates from Illinois State University with degrees in Kinesiology and Exercise Science seem to have a range of career trajectories that generally align with the field. Many of them kick off their professional journeys in roles that are pretty closely tied to exercise and sports, like personal trainers, strength coaches, or sports performance specialists. For instance, people graduating in the early 2010s often moved into jobs at sports performance facilities or took on internships that set them up for more specialized roles in the health and fitness industry. There’s a solid trend of starting out in hands-on positions that build relevant experience, which can be a great foundation for future growth.
Fast forward a few years, and you’ll see some of these graduates advancing into more specialized or higher-level roles—like occupational therapists, advanced practice nurses, or even directors in fitness organizations. It’s impressive how some have climbed the ladder within a relatively short span, tapping into their kinesiology background in ways that might not have seemed obvious right after graduation. Of course, not every path leads directly to a Kinesiology-focused role; some individuals took detours into areas like banking or management. Overall, while there are a few deviations from the field, many graduates are finding successful and fulfilling careers that relate to their studies, which is encouraging for anyone considering this major. It’s a reminder that while the journey can vary, the potential for a relevant career is definitely there!
Hey there! So, getting a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and Exercise Science at Illinois State University—or pretty much anywhere else—can be pretty manageable if you're into sports, fitness, and health. The courses usually cover stuff about human movement, anatomy, and maybe even some nutrition, which can be really interesting if you’re passionate about those topics. But you will have to deal with some science and math classes that can be a bit tricky for those who don’t love numbers. Overall, it's not the hardest degree out there, especially if you put in the effort and stay organized, but it can definitely get challenging at times—just like any other degree!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Kinesiology and Exercise Science.
Looking at these Kinesiology and Exercise Science grads from Illinois State University, it's clear they’ve got some pretty varied job paths, and it seems like they’re doing alright for themselves financially, but it's a mixed bag. The ones who became Occupational Therapists or Advanced Practice Nurses are probably raking in a decent paycheck, as those fields tend to pay well. On the flip side, some of the others, like personal trainers or fitness center managers, might not be making as much right off the bat, especially if they were starting out as interns or part-timers. Overall, there’s potential for good earnings down the road, especially if they keep climbing the career ladder or branching out into specialized roles, but early in their careers, it looks like some are earning more than others.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Kinesiology and Exercise Science (this is across all Kinesiology and Exercise Science graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Illinois State University). This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Kinesiology and Exercise Science (ordered by the average relevance score of their Kinesiology and Exercise Science graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates: