First, some facts. Of the Sports Management graduates from University of Michigan 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 26 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Slightly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 70%, Sports Management graduates from University of Michigan have a slightly higher likelihood (+3%) 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 30% 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:
Relevance score: 8%We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2023 from University of Michigan with a Bachelor's degree in Sports Management. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONTech Division ApprenticeMy Gym Enterprises Jan 2023 - Apr 2023 Junior Paralegal Kirkland & Ellis Jun 2023 - Present ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
From what I've seen, the most common jobs that graduates with a Sports Management degree from the University of Michigan have taken on range from coaching positions and roles in athletic administration to sales and marketing positions within sports organizations. Many of these roles, especially those like Assistant Athletic Director, Sports Property Sales, or Group Sales Account Executive at places like the Detroit Pistons or Los Angeles Kings, clearly align with the skills and knowledge gained through their degree. These jobs require a solid understanding of sports management principles, from team dynamics to marketing strategies in the sports industry.
However, there are also quite a few positions that don't directly relate to sports management. For example, many graduates have found themselves in sales, marketing, or administrative roles in various industries, such as working at Oracle or Molson Coors, where their duties revolve more around general business practices. While some of these roles may utilize transferable skills from their degree, they often don’t dive deep into the specialized knowledge of sports management. So, while it seems like many alumni have gone on to pursue relevant careers, there’s a noticeable number that have branched out into fields that don’t leverage the full breadth of their education. It’s a mixed bag, but there are definitely strong ties to sports management in many paths they've taken!
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 University of Michigan):
Graduates with a degree in Sports Management from the University of Michigan typically kick off their careers in roles that are either directly related to sports or share relevant skills, like event coordination or coaching. For many, the first jobs post-graduation are often internships or entry-level positions in sports organizations, marketing, or coaching. For instance, some graduates have become assistant coaches at various universities or taken on sales and marketing roles within sports-related companies. This initial experience allows them to forge valuable connections in the sports industry, which is super important in any competitive field.
Fast forward five to ten years, and many of these graduates appear to maintain their trajectories within sports management or related fields, often moving into more senior positions. Some have climbed the ranks to become assistant athletic directors, sales executives, or community relations managers for professional sports teams. However, it’s worth noting that there are also graduates who have drifted away from this direct path and found success in unrelated areas like law or tech, which can happen when sports management roles aren't a perfect fit. Overall, while many have certainly thrived in sports management, others show that flexibility can lead to diverse opportunities in different industries.
Getting a Bachelor's degree in Sports Management at the University of Michigan—or anywhere, really—can be a mixed bag, depending on your interests and strengths. Overall, it’s not typically considered one of the toughest degrees out there, especially if you’re passionate about sports and enjoy topics like marketing, management, and event planning. That said, there are still challenges, like any group project that feels endless or the occasional tough statistics class. You’ll have to stay on top of your assignments and engage with the material, but if you’re someone who loves sports and is willing to put in the effort, you’ll probably find it pretty manageable. Just remember, like any degree, it’s what you make of it!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Sports Management.
Looking at the job paths of these University of Michigan Sports Management grads, it seems like they’ve landed some pretty decent gigs, though it varies a lot by individual. The earlier graduates tended to start with roles like interns or assistants, which generally pay less, but some have climbed the ranks into solid positions like Assistant Athletic Directors or Category Insights Executives. By the time you get to the more recent grads, you've got folks starting in internships and entry-level roles, but there are already some landing roles at big companies like Google and the NFL, which typically come with better pay. Overall, if they keep climbing the ladder and leveraging their experiences, they should be making pretty respectable money down the line!
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 University of Michigan). 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: