First, some facts. Of the Kinesiology and Exercise Science graduates from State University of New York College at Cortland 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 17 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 60%, Kinesiology and Exercise Science graduates from State University of New York College at Cortland have a lower likelihood (-7%) 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, 41% 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: 84%We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2020 from State University of New York College at Cortland with a Bachelor of Science - BS in Kinesiology and Exercise Science. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONPhysical Therapy AideProfessional Physical Therapy Feb 2021 - Jul 2021 Graduate Assistant Adelphi University Jul 2021 - Jul 2022 Strength And Conditioning Coach Victory Sports Performance Aug 2020 - Oct 2023 Clinical Exercise Physiologist Catholic Health Aug 2022 - Present FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGMaster of Science - MSAdelphi University 2021 - 2022 ABOUTHello my name is Joe Donnelly. I am currently a graduate assistant for Adelphi University. I would like to secure a position specializing in health science and human performance. Seeking an opportunity to apply physiology and kinesiology education and experience in a university, healthcare or professional sports environment. My ultimate career goal is to be part of a team that advances health and wellness with fitness technology or therapy. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When you look at the career paths of graduates with a Kinesiology and Exercise Science degree from the State University of New York College at Cortland, a trend starts to emerge. Many of these individuals end up in roles such as Physical Therapy Aide, Personal Trainer, Exercise Specialist, or Physical Therapist. These jobs are definitely relevant to the degree since they directly apply knowledge of human movement, anatomy, and exercise principles. For instance, a Physical Therapy Aide plays a critical role in rehabilitation by assisting patients, which requires a solid understanding of kinesiology. Similarly, Personal Trainers design workout plans based on exercise science, making these roles very much aligned with their education.
However, not all job placements reflect a strong connection to Kinesiology and Exercise Science. Some graduates take on roles like Event Operations Manager, Strategic Partnerships Associate, or even registered nursing positions that require different areas of expertise altogether. While these jobs might make use of some skills related to health and fitness, they don’t require the specific knowledge gained from a Kinesiology degree. Overall, while a significant portion of graduates find work that is directly relevant to their studies, there's also a noticeable number who diverge into careers that don’t heavily utilize their kinesiology background. So, if you're considering this degree, it's good to be aware that while there are plenty of related job opportunities, other paths can lead you away from direct applications of exercise science principles.
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 State University of New York College at Cortland):
Graduates from the Kinesiology and Exercise Science program at the State University of New York College at Cortland seem to take some pretty diverse career paths, especially right after graduation. Many of them kick-start their careers in roles like physical therapy aides, personal trainers, or fitness directors. It's clear that a lot of folks are getting involved in health and wellness straight away, which aligns well with their degree. For example, several graduates went on to work in physical therapy settings, while others found positions in fitness centers or worked as personal trainers. This initial phase seems to set the stage for building relevant experience in the field.
As these graduates progress five to ten years down the line, many stay within the realm of healthcare and fitness, with roles expanding to things like exercise specialists and physical therapists. We see the hustle of a few who have even transitioned into higher management or specialized roles, like Clinical Exercise Physiologists or Occupational Therapists. However, there are also cases of graduates straying pretty far from their kinesiology roots into roles like business analysis or event management, which isn't exactly what you'd expect. So, while there's a solid core of graduates who continue impacting health and fitness, the trajectory can lead to unexpected places too. Overall, it seems like many are staying in fields related to their studies, but there are definitely some outliers in terms of career choices.
Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and Exercise Science can be a mix of challenging and fun, and it really depends on your interests and strengths. If you're super into fitness, sports, and how the body works, you'll probably enjoy a lot of the coursework. There’s certainly some science involved—think anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics—which can be tough if you’re not into that kind of stuff. At SUNY Cortland specifically, you might find the program has a practical focus, meaning there’s a good blend of theory and hands-on experience, which keeps things engaging. Overall, it’s not the easiest degree out there, but if you're passionate about the subject, it can be a rewarding and manageable journey!
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 graduates from SUNY Cortland, it seems like some of them are doing pretty well in terms of their careers, but others might not be raking it in just yet. For instance, there’s a grad who moved from being an Infantry Officer in the Marines to a VP at JPMorgan Chase, which probably means he's making a solid salary now. Meanwhile, roles like Physical Therapy Aides and Personal Trainers can be hit or miss on pay, especially when starting out. However, many graduates seem to be progressing into more specialized or higher-level positions over time, which could lead to better earnings down the road. Overall, it's a mixed bag – some are clearly on their way to decent salaries while others seem to be still climbing the ladder.
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 State University of New York College at Cortland). 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: