Kids enjoy many academic freedoms through the college experience. They can cultivate existing passions and explore new interests–all the while figuring out which major will eventually help them earn a living.
However, students should be forewarned. Some degrees just don’t pay the bills. It seems unfair that everyone can’t be whatever they want to be and get away with it. But, that’s life. Most of us need to find jobs that give us a pay check. Here is a list of the top college degrees that are most likely to do that.
Medicine
Doctors are among the highest paid professionals. (Yes even with Obama-Care!) And they deserve to be. A minimum of eight years of schooling, impossibly long hours and unmeasurable patience make doctors are a rare and special type of human we literally could not live without. While all of these facts are daunting for anyone considering the possibility, gainful employment is a virtual guarantee. They say if you are in it for the money, and the money is great, it is not enough of a driving force. You must also have a super sense of giving and commitment
Business Management
Think you’re a born leader? You’ll need stellar people skills–no room for wallflowers here–and talents in problem solving, number crunching, and decision making. And don’t forget great communication skills! While studying business, you’ll get a thorough grounding in the theories and principles of accounting, finance, marketing, economics, statistics, and human resources functions. This major will get you thinking about issues such as diversity, ethics, politics, and other dynamics that play a role in every work environment. Make sure those competitive juices are flowing; the business world is all, well, business.
Computer Science
Most college students go into computer science because they love video games and think making them would be just as gratifying. That idea comes to a crashing halt, when they realize the degree involves more complex mathematics than the average video gamer can comprehend. Those remaining have a great shot at seeing some money post-graduation. That is incumbent) or develop software, there are a lot of businesses that rely on the kind of exclusive knowledge a degree in computer science guarantees.
Nursing
Compassionate individuals with a great mind for the intricate and sometimes heartbreaking–world of medicine will be well suited for a nursing career.Nursing majors take the traditional science and liberal arts courses as a first–year student and begin clinical rotations at hospitals and other health care facilities during the second semester of their sophomore year. Certification exams are required after graduation from an accredited nursing program before you can be officially registered. And the job prospects for nurses are not only plentiful but also varied, available in fields such as geriatrics, neurology, oncology, obstetrics, and pediatrics.
Political Science
Because it often deals with current events and sophisticated statistical analysis, political science is timely, fascinating, and perpetually changing. In a nutshell, it’s the study of politics of government, and some of the common concentrations are American government, public policy, foreign affairs, political philosophy, and comparative government. Political science majors develop excellent critical thinking and communication skills, and more broadly, an understanding of history and culture. There will be lots of reading, writing, and math. Possible career paths are diverse–from lawyer to politician to journalist.
Engineering
An engineer, a rare bird in a office complex full of squatting pigeons, must have a holistic grasp on the various physical sciences and mathematics that go into designing and constructing a massive landmark. From bridges to skyscrapers, it takes a carefully devised set of blueprints to ensure that any given construction crew doesn’t nail together a volatile deathtrap. For the holy grail this degree equates to, a handsome paycheck is a given.
Psychology
If you find yourself delving into why certain people react to certain aspects of their environments in a certain way, then studying psychology will help you learn about the biology of our brains. Psychology majors focus on learning, cognition, intelligence, motivation, emotion, perception, personality, mental disorders, and the ways in which our individual preferences are inherited from our parents or shaped by our environment.
Education
The world always needs more teachers and so it is very hard for an individual pursuing primary or secondary education (higher education requires many more qualifications) to not land a job shaping the minds of future generations. It’s amazing that someone should endure so much schooling, only to go right back to school without a practical pursuit in between. The result is something like a snake eating its own tail, where education makes educators, who in turn educate future educators.
English
English is a very deliberately-placed near the bottom. Having a degree in any kind of artistic or expressive field is the least likely degree to land you a job straight out of college. Being the most literate art, there is demand for individuals who can communicate clearly on paper and there are myriad fields within commthe pen!unication that cherish the power of
Communications
Communications majors tend to be great storytellers with quick wits and fiery personalities. You’ll spend a significant amount of time scrutinizing different kinds of presentations–such as speeches and scripts–and the strategies behind the messages that speakers and writers use to make their points. You’ll learn about verbal and nonverbal messages, audience reaction, and the varied effects of different communication environments. It will prepare you for a wealth of careers in business, advertising, human resources, public relations, government, education, media, and social services.
By Mona Chabra
