First, some facts. Of the Kinesiology and Exercise Science 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 32 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Slightly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 72%, Kinesiology and Exercise Science graduates from Penn State University have a slightly higher likelihood (+5%) 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, 71% 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 2015 from Penn State University with a Bachelor of Science - BS in Kinesiology and Exercise Science. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONProgram Coordinator-Campus Recreation-Fitness and Wellbeing at Penn State UniversityPenn State University Mar 2016 - Aug 2021 Community Health Educator-Health Promotion and Wellness at Penn State University Penn State University Aug 2021 - Aug 2022 Assistant Director-Health Promotion and Wellness at Penn State University Penn State University Aug 2022 - Present FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGMaster of Education - M.EdLiberty University 2019 - 2020 ABOUTDuring my 7-years of honorable military service, I was exposed to a variety of cultures, ideals, and values both stateside and abroad. I have applied many lifelong teachings to the civilian sector most notably within higher education. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When looking at what people with a degree in Kinesiology and Exercise Science from Penn State University have gone on to do, it’s super clear that a lot of them are working in jobs that are really relevant to their studies. The most common roles seem to be in physical therapy. Many graduates have taken up that path, where they use their understanding of human movement, anatomy, and rehabilitation to help patients recover and improve their physical health. Other popular positions include health education roles and personal training, which also rely on the skills learned during their degree related to fitness, wellness, and physical education.
However, it’s also interesting to note that not every job these graduates have taken relates directly to Kinesiology and Exercise Science. Some ended up in roles like dispatchers, sales associates, or positions that only tangentially touched on health and fitness. These positions usually focus more on administrative or customer service skills, rather than the exercise science principles they studied. So while there is a strong connection for many, there are definitely a few who ventured off into other fields that don’t make full use of their Kinesiology and Exercise Science background.
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 Penn State University):
Looking at the career trajectories of graduates from Penn State's Kinesiology and Exercise Science program, it's pretty clear that many of them have landed in roles related to health and physical therapy right after graduation. For instance, a significant number have started their careers as physical therapists or have gained experience as physical therapy aides or interns. This hands-on experience tends to set them up well to advance in their career path. Over the first five years following graduation, many continue to build on these initial roles, often moving into more specialized positions within physical therapy, coaching, or health education. They might also get involved in academia as clinical instructors, demonstrating that there’s a clear pathway to furthering not just their careers, but also their areas of expertise.
However, it's not all smooth sailing. Some graduates took on jobs that are less directly related to Kinesiology and Exercise Science, such as dispatching or managing roles in different fields. While it seems like most of the graduates who stuck closely to their degree have found good long-term careers, there's also a noticeable number who veered off into unrelated paths a few years down the line. Yet, many who stayed in the field have reached positions of responsibility, like clinic directors or program managers, showing that with persistence and the right experience, these kinesiology grads can indeed find fulfilling careers that align with their studies. All in all, if you’re considering a career in this area, it looks like there’s a lot of promise—especially if you’re passionate about health and fitness!
Getting a Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology and Exercise Science at Penn State can be a bit of a mixed bag in terms of difficulty. On one hand, if you have a passion for fitness, movement, and the human body, it can be really engaging and enjoyable, which makes the work feel less like a grind. There are definitely some challenging courses in areas like anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics, which require a solid understanding of science and a commitment to studying. Overall, I’d say it’s around average in terms of difficulty for a degree. You'll have your moments of stress, but if you're interested in the subject and stay on top of your studies, you should be able to handle it just fine!
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 Penn State, it seems like many of them have been able to land some solid jobs, especially in the health and physical therapy fields, which generally pay fairly well. For example, physical therapists often have good earning potential, and several of these grads have moved up to higher positions, like clinic manager or even working in specialized areas. However, there are also folks who went into teaching or coaching positions, which might not be as lucrative, especially in the early stages. Overall, while some have definitely carved out a path to decent salaries, especially in healthcare and coaching roles, others might be starting off on a lower income trajectory. It really just depends on the direction they took after graduation.
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 Penn 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: