Degrees
Colleges
About
First, some facts. Of the Sports and Exercise 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 140 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 58%, Sports and Exercise graduates have a lower likelihood (-9%) 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, 40% 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 Sports and Exercise graduate.
See the details:
|
Relevance score: 77% We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2015 from University of Wisconsin-La Crosse with a Bachelor's degree in Sports and Exercise. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONChiropractor Nelson Chiropractic Oct 2018 - Feb 2019 Chiropractor Back to Health Chiropractic Mar 2019 - Apr 2020 Personal Trainer  Orangetheory Fitness Mar 2020 - Present Owner and Chiropractor Balanced Roots Chiropractic, LLC Jun 2020 - Present FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGDoctor of ChiropracticPalmer College of Chiropractic 2015 - 2018 ABOUTHello! I'm Dr. [NAME REMOVED], an experienced Doctor of Chiropractic who focuses on gentle, specific and safe chiropractic care for families and athletes. I utilize a low force technique, Sacro Occipital Technic (SOT) in conjunction with cranial work, as well as common spine techniques and extremity adjustments learned at Palmer College of Chiropractic. My passion lies in those who truly want to attain a state of wellness, naturally. In June of 2020, I became a small business owner and the head chiropractor of Balanced Roots Chiropractic, LLC. Prior to opening up my own practice, I had the opportunity to learn and practice as an Associate Doctor of Chiropractic at two local practices where my skill set and confidence continued to blossom. In addition to being a chiropractor, am also an ACE Certified Personal Trainer and Fitness Coach at Orangetheory Fitness in Davenport, IA. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
After analyzing the jobs held by graduates with degrees in Sports and Exercise, it's clear that their career paths vary widely, with some leaning heavily into fields directly related to sports while others have strayed far from their original training. The most common job types among these individuals appear to be within the areas of athletic training, physical therapy, and various fitness coaching roles. A large number of graduates work as athletic trainers or physical therapy technicians, where they apply their specialized knowledge in rehabilitation techniques, injury prevention, and exercise prescription—making these jobs highly relevant to their degrees. In contrast, roles such as bartenders, administrative positions, or customer service jobs showcase a significant disconnect between their studies and current job functions.
While many graduates have carved out successful careers in athletic and rehabilitative roles where their education directly applies, there's an equally expansive group that has ventured into less related fields. Countless individuals have taken positions in sales, management, and other job sectors where their sports knowledge is either minimally utilized or completely irrelevant. This often reflects a change in career direction or the necessity to secure employment that may not directly align with their academic background. Ultimately, while many people with Sports and Exercise degrees find fulfilling work closely tied to their studies, a substantial number have ventured into roles that do not leverage their specialized knowledge, showcasing the diverse and sometimes unpredictable nature of career paths after university.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Sports and Exercise graduates:
When looking at the career trajectories of graduates with degrees in Sports and Exercise, it becomes clear that there’s a mix of successes and challenges along the way. Generally, many of these graduates begin their careers in roles directly connected to sports, exercise, and health, such as athletic trainers, rehabilitation technicians, and personal trainers. For example, graduates from universities like Texas Tech and the University of Central Florida have landed jobs that directly utilize their academic training right out of college, which is promising. It shows that when they finish school, they often jump straight into relevant positions in the sports and wellness fields, which is encouraging for anyone interested in following this path.
However, as we move further down the timeline—let’s say five to ten years later—the landscape starts to change for a significant number of these individuals. While many stick with their initial roles and advance within them—like athletic trainers moving into more specialized positions—it seems that quite a few are drifting into careers that don’t relate closely to their original degree. For instance, some graduates end up in customer service roles or unrelated sectors like marketing and retail. This can signify that they might have struggled to find satisfying roles in their field or simply decided to pivot towards different career paths that seemed more stable or lucrative. Additionally, there are stories of graduates transitioning into teaching or coaching, which, while somewhat related, marks a departure from traditional sports and exercise careers.
In conclusion, a degree in Sports and Exercise can serve as a solid foundation for a variety of careers, especially in athletic training and health-related fields immediately after graduation. However, the longer-term picture reveals that not everyone stays on that path. Many graduates will find themselves exploring opportunities that are quite far from the sports and exercise domain. So if you're considering this degree, it's a great start—but it's wise to keep an open mind about where your career might lead you in the future.
Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Sports and Exercise can be a mixed bag when it comes to difficulty, but it generally sits around the average level of challenge compared to other degrees. You’ll dive into subjects like anatomy, physiology, and exercise science, which can get pretty intense if science isn’t your thing. But, the good news is that a lot of it is hands-on and practical, so if you enjoy sports and fitness, you might find it more engaging than just textbook learning. There will definitely be some tough classes and demanding projects, but if you have a passion for sports and stay on top of your studies, it can be totally manageable! Just be ready to put in the effort and stay active—both mentally and physically!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Sports and Exercise.
Looking at these Sports and Exercise graduates, it seems like some have really made strides in their careers, while others are still on that journey to success. For instance, the graduate from The University of Kansas seems to be doing well in the athletic training field, landing positions at universities and health services, which likely pays decently. In contrast, the Minnesota State University Moorhead grad is bartending while pursuing further studies, which suggests they may not be earning much right now. Overall, it’s clear that those who moved into athletic training and healthcare positions are probably making a decent income, while those in lower-level service jobs might still be relying on supplementary income or living paycheck to paycheck.
On the other hand, there are some graduates who have transitioned into coaching and management positions that likely come with better pay, like the athletic trainers from Texas State University and University of Central Florida. Meanwhile, folks in education or lower-tier roles, like some personal trainers or support positions, may be facing financial challenges. Overall, it seems like a mixed bag of financial success depending on the specific path they're taking, with some doing well and others still figuring things out.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Sports and Exercise. This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Sports and Exercise (ordered by the average relevance score of their Sports and Exercise graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:
| College | Score | Count |
|---|---|---|
 University of Central Florida
|
46 | 18 |