What can you do with a Restaurant and Food Services Management degree?

First, some facts. Of the Restaurant and Food Services Management graduates 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 61 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 74%, Restaurant and Food Services Management graduates have a higher likelihood (+7%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 74%
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 13% 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 Restaurant and Food Services Management graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random Restaurant and Food Services Management graduate and our analysis:


Relevance score: 84%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2018 from Johnson & Wales University with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Restaurant and Food Services Management. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Chef Supervisor
Samoset Resort
May 2018 - Aug 2018
The Chef Supervisor role at Samoset Resort directly utilizes skills and knowledge from the Restaurant and Food Services Management degree, requiring management of kitchen operations and staff.

Room Service Cook II
Lifespan
Oct 2018 - Nov 2018
As Room Service Cook II at Lifespan, the job requires culinary skills and knowledge that align closely with the restaurant and food services curriculum.

Patient Services Coordinator
Lifespan
Oct 2018 - Aug 2019
The Patient Services Coordinator position may involve some food service management aspects, but it primarily focuses on administrative duties rather than direct application of food services skills.

Kitchen Supervisor
Samoset Resort
Jun 2019 - Nov 2019
The Kitchen Supervisor role at Samoset Resort applies management and culinary skills from the degree, directly correlating with day-to-day responsibilities in a kitchen environment.

Kitchen Supervisor
Opal Sands Resort
Nov 2019 - Sep 2021
As Kitchen Supervisor at Opal Sands Resort, the job entails overseeing food preparation and kitchen staff, which is completely relevant to the skills acquired from the degree.

Food Service Director
SEASONS BELLEAIR
Jan 2023 - Jun 2024
The Food Service Director position at SEASONS BELLEAIR requires extensive knowledge in food services management, making it highly relevant to the individuals educational background.

Food Service Director
SEASONS LARGO
Feb 2023 - Jun 2024
As Food Service Director at SEASONS LARGO, the role involves significant application of food services expertise and management skills from the individual's degree.

Business Office Director
SEASONS LARGO
May 2023 - Jun 2024
The Business Office Director job provides some administrative experience that could be helpful in food service management, but it does not require direct food services skills or knowledge.

Realtor
Military Veteran Realtor Team
Jun 2024 - Present
The role as a Realtor with the Military Veteran Realtor Team does not utilize any restaurant or food service management skills, making it unrelated to the individuals degree.

ABOUT

With many years of experience, I specialize in helping clients navigate the complexities of buying, selling, and investing in properties. My in-depth market knowledge and strategic approach ensure that my clients achieve their real estate goals efficiently and effectively. Whether you're a first-time homebuyer or a seasoned investor, I'm dedicated to providing professional guidance and personalized service to meet your needs. Let's work together to make your real estate transactions seamless and successful

What jobs can you get with a Restaurant and Food Services Management degree?

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


When examining the career trajectories of individuals who have graduated with degrees in Restaurant and Food Services Management, a clear picture emerges regarding the types of jobs they've landed and how relevant those positions are to their academic backgrounds. A significant number of graduates have ventured into roles that are strongly aligned with food service management, showcasing their skills in restaurant operations, culinary arts, and customer service. Notably, positions such as Executive Chefs, Food Service Directors, and Managers at various dining establishments are commonly highlighted. These roles often emphasize direct application of knowledge and skills gained during their studies, such as managing kitchen operations, overseeing food safety standards, and executing efficient service strategies.

However, it's also notable that not all job positions these graduates hold are directly relevant to their degrees. Many have taken on roles that, while they involve some food service interaction or operational duties, do not engage the full extent of their academic training. For example, positions like Sales Consultants, Customer Service Representatives, and even roles within other industries like real estate or IT do not leverage the culinary or management skills that are typically emphasized in Restaurant and Food Services Management programs. This divergence raises questions about the industries graduates explore and whether they are fully utilizing their degrees in their current employment. Overall, while many alumni hold job titles that align well with their academic qualifications, a substantial portion of their contemporaries appear to be navigating careers that may not directly relate to the core competencies instilled by their degrees.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Restaurant and Food Services Management graduates:

What kind of career trajectories do Restaurant and Food Services Management graduates have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

When looking at the career trajectories of graduates in Restaurant and Food Services Management, particularly those from prestigious schools like Johnson & Wales University, it's clear that there's a wide range of outcomes. Many of these graduates seem to start reasonably well in their careers, often entering positions directly related to food service, such as cooks, chefs, and managers. The early years after graduation often see them honing their culinary skills or taking on supervision and management roles, especially in restaurants, catering companies, or other food service spaces. For instance, roles like Assistant Pastry Cook or Kitchen Supervisor appear frequently, which make sense given their educational background. This initial focus on culinary positions and some management seems on par with the expectations for such programs.

Fast forward five to ten years, and the picture starts to fragment a bit. While many graduates continue to climb the culinary ladder to positions such as Executive Chef or Food Service Director, which are commendable roles in the food industry, others seem to shift away from direct food service. Some have transitioned into unrelated fields, such as tech, customer service, or even teaching. This can suggest one of two things: either those graduates found the food industry not to their liking or were drawn to opportunities that seemed more appealing or lucrative outside of direct food service roles. Additionally, there are examples of graduates who have stuck to their culinary roots, starting their businesses or elevating their careers significantly, which is encouraging. However, the presence of a significant number switching careers or diving into various unrelated positions indicates that some may not find the food service industry as fulfilling as they had hoped.

Overall, while there's a good number of positive trajectories into relevant roles for Restaurant and Food Services Management graduates, there’s also a notable percentage that diversifies into other fields. The graduates do kick off their careers well, often landing jobs that relate closely to their studies, but as they progress, it appears that the culinary path isn't for everyone. This could be part of the journey for many graduates as they explore their interests and find where they truly belong, whether in food service or beyond.

How hard is a Restaurant and Food Services Management degree?

A Bachelor’s degree in Restaurant and Food Services Management isn’t exactly a walk in the park, but it’s not the hardest degree out there either. It typically covers a mix of business principles, culinary skills, and management techniques, so you’ll have to balance a variety of subjects. If you're passionate about food and enjoy working on real-world projects, you might find it engaging and less stressful. But hey, be prepared for some intense group work, long hours during practicals, and maybe even a few late nights studying for exams. Overall, it’s definitely manageable, especially if you love what you're learning!

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 Restaurant and Food Services Management.

Do Restaurant and Food Services Management graduates tend to make good money?

Looking through these LinkedIn profiles, it's pretty clear that many of these restaurant and food service management graduates have found solid career paths that could lead to decent earnings. A lot of them have held management positions, like Food Service Director or General Manager, which usually come with higher salaries and added benefits. For example, positions like Sales Consultant at Sysco or Executive Chef roles typically pay well, especially with experience and the right skills. However, it also seems like a few of them have jobs in entry-level roles or shifted to unrelated fields, which might indicate they're not hitting those high-earning targets just yet.

Overall, while some graduates have clearly climbed the ladder and probably earn good money now, others seem to be still figuring out their niche or starting from the bottom. The culinary world can be a mixed bag—some people hit the jackpot with careers that pay well, while others might struggle a bit more, especially starting out. So yeah, it looks like there's potential for decent income, but it really depends on the specific career paths they've chosen.

What buzzwords do Restaurant and Food Services 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 Restaurant and Food Services Management. This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Restaurant and Food Services Management?

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

College Score Count
Johnson & Wales University 80 39