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First, some facts. Of the Sports 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 1596 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 56%, Sports Management graduates have a much lower likelihood (-11%) 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, only 29% 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 Management graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.
See the details:
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Relevance score: 100% We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2017 from Lapland University of Applied Sciences with a bachelor of sports administration in Sports Management. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONDirector of Alpine Skiing Ski Sport Finland May 2018 - Jun 2021 Coach and management consultant Alterra Mountain Co / Palisades Ski Holdings LLC Oct 2022 - Present ABOUTEnthusiastic economics and operational management expert who loves being out in wilderness. I feel strongly about developing people and thus have a strong background in coaching in addition to operational management. Opportunities which require utilizing my skills in a creative manner will always be of interest - on personal and professional level. Challenges in an organization focused in taking on international competition are of preferred interest. I am a very creative person and able to utilize my skills in strategic planning and operational management even in larger structures, in a very goal oriented manner. Besides my past work experience on operational management, HR and financial field i am active in fields of culture, nature and investing through my hobbies. I am open to new opportunities so do not hesitate to contact me. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When we take a close look at the job trajectories of individuals who graduated with a degree in Sports Management, it’s clear that some professions stand out more than others. Many of these graduates have entered roles related directly to the sports industry, while others have ventured into seemingly unrelated fields. A trend we notice is a significant portion of graduates gravitating towards coaching positions. Whether it’s coaching high school sports teams, serving as assistant coaches at colleges, or hiring in professional franchises, coaching roles tap directly into the sports management knowledge, particularly in team dynamics and athlete management.
Aside from coaching, positions linked to event management, marketing, and facility operations are also quite prevalent. Jobs like ticket operations managers, event coordinators, and athletic facility managers showcase the application of sports management principles in various settings. Such roles often necessitate skills in organization, communication, and strategic planning, which are core components of sports management programs. Furthermore, internships in related fields such as athletic administration or marketing at sports organizations help bridge the gap between education and practical applications in the industry.
However, not all positions utilize the skills acquired from a Sports Management degree to the fullest. Graduates often find themselves in roles that stray into general business sectors, such as sales, customer service, and operations management, where the core sports management knowledge becomes less relevant. Many of these positions are more focused on general operational responsibilities or customer engagement, which means the relevance of their education diminishes significantly. For instance, roles in retail management or traditional business operations might not directly apply sports-specific knowledge, even if they may utilize some transferable skills like teamwork and leadership.
In conclusion, while graduates in Sports Management typically have a fair degree of flexibility in their career path, there’s no doubt that certain professions align more closely with their training. Coaching and roles directly involved in managing sports operations and events provide the best fitting opportunities for applying a sports management background. Still, there exists a substantial number of graduates who drift into unrelated fields, which highlights a need for these degree programs to potentially strengthen their practical application and industry exposure to keep graduates engaged within the sports sector.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Sports Management graduates:
Certainly! Analyzing the career trajectories of graduates with degrees in Sports Management provides fascinating insights into the various paths that can stem from such a background. Generally, the initial jobs taken by these graduates tend to revolve around internships, entry-level positions, and coaching roles within athletic departments or organizations, allowing them to gain hands-on experience and establish networks within the sports industry. Over time, as they accumulate more experience, their positions often evolve, leading to substantial roles within the sports management field, focusing on operational, marketing, or coaching aspects.
When looking at the entry-level positions, many of the graduates took advantage of internships right after graduation. These interns typically start as athletic communications workers, marketing assistants, or within ticketing departments, reflecting a strong trend toward gaining practical experiences that are fundamental to breaking into the career. Some graduates also pursued coaching roles, often at schools or sports clubs, indicating their engagement with grassroots sports initiatives. This early-stage experience is critical for building a resume that aligns with long-term career goals in sports.
As we project careers five to ten years down the line, it becomes evident that a significant proportion of these graduates transition into managerial, operational, or higher-level administrative roles. You might see former interns become assistant directors of operations, marketing managers, or even move higher to roles like athletic directors or vice presidents within organizations and teams. However, not all graduates stick strictly to the sports management path; some leverage their skills to find opportunities in related fields such as marketing, event management, or even entirely different sectors like real estate or education. The disparate paths signal that while many graduates remain entrenched in the sports world, others have found fulfillment in diverse careers, indicating the versatility of a Sports Management degree.
Overall, it's honest to say that many graduates do find successful careers related to their field of study, but there is also a notable fraction whose roles veer away from the heart of sports management and into different industries. This illustrates the fluidity of career trajectories and the various transferable skills that students gain while studying Sports Management, enabling them to adapt and succeed in various professional arenas.
A Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management can be a mix of both challenging and manageable coursework, depending on your interests and strengths. If you love sports and have a knack for business, you might find the classes like marketing, finance, and management pretty engaging and not too tough. However, there are also some heavier subjects, like sports law and ethics, that can trip you up if you're not ready for them. Overall, it’s generally considered to be on the easier side compared to more intense majors like engineering or pre-med, but it still requires dedication and a solid work ethic to keep up with projects, group work, and some tricky concepts. So, if you put in the effort and stay organized, you’ll likely find it manageable!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Sports Management.
So, we’ve got a pretty big list of graduates and their job histories. It looks like a mixed bag when it comes to how well they're doing financially. Some folks are really climbing the ladder, landing positions like Senior Account Executive or Assistant Director at well-known organizations in sports and entertainment. These roles usually come with decent salaries, which probably puts them in a pretty comfortable spot financially.
On the flip side, you've got some graduates who seem to be stuck in entry-level or part-time roles, like working at a restaurant or as a customer service rep. These positions often don’t pay as much, and it might take them a while to move up in their careers. Overall, it just shows that the journey after graduation really varies! You'll find some who might be thriving, while others are still figuring out their path and working their way up 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 Sports Management. This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Sports Management (ordered by the average relevance score of their Sports Management graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:
