What can you do with a Sports Management degree from California University of Pennsylvania?

First, some facts. Of the Sports Management graduates from California University of Pennsylvania 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 11 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 64%, Sports Management graduates from California University of Pennsylvania have a slightly lower likelihood (-3%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 64%
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 Management graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random Sports Management graduate from California University of Pennsylvania and our analysis:


Relevance score: 93%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2012 from California University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Sports Management. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Group Sales Assistant-Roger Dean Stadium-Jupiter Hammerheads/ Palm Beach Cardinals
Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium
Jan 2013 - Aug 2013
The position of Group Sales Assistant does not require extensive sports management knowledge or skills, focusing instead on general sales support without any specific relevance to the degree.

Account Executive
IMG Learfield Ticket Solutions
Aug 2013 - Jun 2017
As an Account Executive at IMG Learfield Ticket Solutions, the role directly applies skills related to sports management, including sales and event coordination within the sports industry.

Ticket Operations Manager
William & Mary
Aug 2017 - Jun 2022
The position of Ticket Operations Manager at William & Mary utilizes sports management skills in organizing and managing ticket sales operations, reflecting the core objectives of the Bachelor's degree.

Director Of Ticket Operations
William & Mary
Jun 2022 - Feb 2024
As Director of Ticket Operations at William & Mary, this role requires advanced knowledge of sports management and ticketing processes, aligning closely with the degree's focus.

Account Manager
vivenu
Mar 2024 - Present
The role of Account Manager at vivenu may involve some transferable skills relevant to sports management, but the position primarily focuses on event technology solutions rather than directly applying sports-specific knowledge.

ABOUT

Experienced sport management professional with a background in college athletics, college athletics ticketing, and fundraising with over a decade of experience.

What jobs can you get with a Sports Management degree from California University of Pennsylvania?

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


When looking at the job paths of people who graduated with a Sports Management degree from California University of Pennsylvania, it’s clear that many went into roles that are somewhat connected to the sports industry, but the relevance of their jobs widely varies. The most common types of jobs seem to cluster around sales and marketing positions within sports organizations, like inside sales representatives and account managers for teams. For example, roles at the Pittsburgh Pirates are not just relevant; they are almost tailor-made for someone with a sports management degree. However, there are also graduates who have taken roles outside of the sports context, such as in customer service, automotive services, and even health care, which don't leverage their specialized knowledge in sports management as much. It really shows a spectrum of how versatile the degree can be, but also how it might lead folks down paths that aren’t directly related to sports.

On a broader note, while many jobs align nicely with sports management principles—like event operations and sports marketing—others drift far away from that focus, like those in automotive or general management roles. Some graduates have even ended up in completely unrelated fields, such as insurance or warehousing. So, to be honest, while the degree provides a solid foundation for careers within the sports industry, not everyone sticks with it. The graduates’ job relevance varies significantly, and it’s a mixed bag of those who followed a direct path and those who strayed into different territories. That’s just a reminder that sometimes the job you end up in might not perfectly match your degree, and that's okay!

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

What kind of career trajectories do Sports Management graduates from California University of Pennsylvania have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

Graduates from California University of Pennsylvania who studied Sports Management seem to follow a variety of career paths after completing their degrees. Many of them kickstart their careers in entry-level positions related to sports, sales, or event management. For instance, several alumni began their careers with internships in ticket sales or operations within professional sports teams, which is a common starting point for those looking to break into the sports industry. Over the next few years, some have successfully moved into positions with more responsibility, such as Account Managers or Directors of Ticket Operations, indicating that there are opportunities for advancement within this field.

However, it's also notable that not every graduate stays tightly linked to sports management over time. Some ventured into unrelated fields, as seen with graduates transitioning into roles like Service Manager or General Manager in different industries. While some have certainly found successful and relevant careers in sports, like those moving up the ranks in ticket operations or gaining experience in athletic marketing, others appear to have shifted their focus entirely, leading to careers that diverge from their original sports management education. So, while many grads are doing well and advancing in the sports world, there are those who haven't stuck with it and have branched out into broader job markets instead.

How hard is a Sports Management degree from California University of Pennsylvania?

Honestly, a Bachelor degree in Sports Management can be a pretty manageable experience, especially if you're passionate about sports and the business side of it. At California University of Pennsylvania, like many colleges, the workload is a mix of foundational business courses and specific classes about sports management, so it really helps if you enjoy what you’re learning. Some students find the classes engaging and not too challenging, while others might feel the pressure come exam time or when juggling projects. Overall, it's generally viewed as easier than some more technical degrees, but you still need to put in the effort to keep up with assignments and participate in group work. If you stay organized and make the most of group projects, you’ll likely find it pretty doable!

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 Sports Management.

Do Sports Management graduates from California University of Pennsylvania tend to make good money?

Looking at these Sports Management grads from California University of Pennsylvania, it seems like some are doing pretty well career-wise, while others are just getting by. For instance, the Pirates grad has climbed the ladder from intern to account manager, which usually means decent pay, especially in sports. But then you have folks like the Equipment Service Advisor who bounced around a bit, suggesting they might not be raking in the big bucks consistently. The one who has been a Personal Trainer has probably seen a mix of income, depending on their client base. Overall, it looks like some of these grads are on solid career paths, potentially making decent money, while others might be still finding their footing and making more modest incomes.

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

What are the best colleges for Sports Management?

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:

College Score Count
Nichols College 78 10
Syracuse University 76 19
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania 75 14
University of Michigan 70 26
Washington State University 66 11
Bowling Green State University 65 18
Springfield College 65 10
St. John's University 64 19
California University of Pennsylvania 64 11
State University of New York College at Brockport 63 10
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities 62 10
West Virginia University 61 11
Minnesota State University, Mankato 61 10
Liberty University 60 20
Texas A&M University 59 36
Towson University 59 25
The University of Georgia 59 11
University of Tampa 59 10
State University of New York College at Cortland 59 25
Florida State University 58 16
Texas Tech University 58 15
Louisiana State University 58 10
University of Florida 57 26
Ohio University 57 13
Kennesaw State University 57 11
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania 57 11
The University of Texas at Austin 56 18
University of Missouri-Columbia 55 13
Western Kentucky University 55 15
York College of Pennsylvania 54 10
Endicott College 53 11
University of North Florida 52 13
North Carolina State University 51 28
Georgia Southern University 49 20
Grand Canyon University 48 17
Southern New Hampshire University 43 15