What can you do with a Sports and Exercise degree from University of Central Florida?

First, some facts. Of the Sports and Exercise graduates from University of Central Florida 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 18 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Bad. Overall, with an average relevance score of 46%, Sports and Exercise graduates from University of Central Florida have a substantially lower likelihood (-21%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 46%
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 27% 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 Sports and Exercise graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random Sports and Exercise graduate from University of Central Florida and our analysis:


Relevance score: 49%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2020 from University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Sports and Exercise. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Customer Service Specialist/Online Digital Pickup
Walmart
Jun 2020 - Aug 2022
The role of Customer Service Specialist does not utilize any specific skills or knowledge from a Sports and Exercise degree, as it primarily focuses on communication and service rather than sports.

Football Operations Intern
Wake Forest University
Jul 2022 - Present
The Football Operations Intern position directly relates to the individual's Sports and Exercise degree, as it likely involves applying knowledge of sports management, operations, and teamwork principles in a practical setting.

ABOUT

I spent three years at the University of Central Florida, and graduated in Spring 2020 with a bachelors degree in Sports & Exercise Science and a minor in Sports Business Management. During my time there and since graduating, I worked closely with the UCF football team as an equipment manager and as a student assistant/intern. I spent the 2022 football season interning with football operations at Wake Forest University. I have learned a lot during the season and I look forward to returning in the spring to continue learning about operations along with other facets of the football program. At the same time, I am currently looking for a full-time position so I can continue to pursue a career in football operations.

What jobs can you get with a Sports and Exercise degree from University of Central Florida?

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


Based on the LinkedIn profiles of individuals who graduated with a degree in Sports and Exercise from the University of Central Florida, it seems like a pretty significant number of them have gone into careers closely related to fitness, health, and athletic training. A lot of graduates ended up becoming yoga instructors or athletic trainers, which clearly utilizes what they learned during their studies, like how to promote physical health and prevent injuries. For example, someone working as a yoga instructor directly applies their skills in yoga techniques and exercise science, which is pretty spot on for their degree.

However, there's also a noticeable chunk of grads that took jobs that have very little to do with sports and exercise. Many ended up in roles like operations management or customer service, which don’t really tap into the knowledge they gained about physical health or exercise science. Some career paths, like working as a veterinary assistant or a human resources supervisor, seem way out of left field for someone with that background. So, while there are certainly strong connections with a good number of jobs, a lot of graduates have veered away from careers that directly relate to their degree. It's a mixed bag, but overall, many are finding ways to incorporate their training into their careers.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Sports and Exercise graduates (this is across all Sports and Exercise graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to University of Central Florida):

What kind of career trajectories do Sports and Exercise graduates from University of Central Florida have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

When looking at the career trajectories of graduates from the University of Central Florida with a degree in Sports and Exercise, it's clear that there are some common paths many have taken. For their first jobs after graduation, a lot of these graduates seem to dive directly into roles related to fitness, rehabilitation, or physical education. For instance, many have started as yoga instructors, physical therapy technicians, or health specialists, which is pretty typical for this field. However, not every grad has stuck closely to their major—some have explored a range of jobs that are quite a bit off the Sports and Exercise track, like operational roles at hotels or working as customer service specialists. It's a mixed bag, really.

As these graduates move five to ten years into their careers, there are both success stories and those who have veered quite far from their original ambitions. Several individuals have solidified their roles in health-related fields, advancing into positions like physiologists and athletic trainers, which shows a promising trajectory for those who wanted to stay in health and fitness. On the flip side, some have ended up in completely unrelated careers, such as human resources or technical support—positions that don’t really utilize their Sports and Exercise background. This suggests that while there are definitely paths to success in relevant fields for these grads, there’s also a noticeable tendency for some to explore broader career options that don’t directly align with their degree. Overall, it looks like those who are passionate about the sports and fitness industry tend to find their way back to it, but many also branch out into other areas.

How hard is a Sports and Exercise degree from University of Central Florida?

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Sports and Exercise can be a mixed bag when it comes to difficulty, and it really depends on your strengths and interests. If you’re into sports, fitness, and health, you might find a lot of the classes pretty engaging and enjoyable, which can definitely lighten the load. However, it does involve some serious science courses like anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics, which can be challenging if you’re not a fan of those subjects. Overall, it’s probably on the easier side compared to some STEM majors, but it still requires dedication and hard work, especially if you want to really get into the material. Just be prepared for a decent amount of studying and some practical work!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 2 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Sports and Exercise.

Do Sports and Exercise graduates from University of Central Florida tend to make good money?

Looking over the career paths of these UCF Sports and Exercise grads, it seems like the money game is pretty mixed. For some, like those in physiologist or athletic trainer roles, there’s a chance they're pulling in decent salaries, especially as they get more experience and move up in their careers. But others, particularly those sticking with roles like yoga instructors or certain entry-level positions, might not be making bank. A good number still seem to be climbing the ladder, though, which could lead to better pay down the road. Overall, it looks like they’re in a decent spot to make a good living eventually, but the journey might come with some financial bumps along the way.

What buzzwords do Sports and Exercise 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 Sports and Exercise (this is across all Sports and Exercise graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to University of Central Florida). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Sports and Exercise?

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