When choosing a college degree, students want to know that their education will lead to good job opportunities. They don’t want to waste their time studying something that will never pay off.
Fortunately, some degrees will always provide solid job prospects. Others, like golf management, are a bit of a bust.
Computer Science
If you want to work in a field with strong job growth, computer science is one of the best degrees for future opportunities. Getting a bachelor’s degree in this field will teach you how to design software programs as well as the theory behind them. You’ll also learn about data structuring, algorithm development, and more.
Companies of all sizes rely on computers to keep their operations running smoothly, so it’s no surprise that computer science is a popular field to study. With a computer science degree, you’ll be ready to design computer hardware and software systems that solve complex problems.
Many famous people have studied computer science, including Mark Zuckerberg and Google CEO Larry Page. But you don’t have to be a tech whiz to pursue this career. Some of today’s largest computer firms started with just a few people with an idea and the drive to make it a reality. You can do the same with your own business. Just be sure to build a solid portfolio that includes per-project pages and publicly browsable code to prove your skill and commitment to the industry (as opposed to just a resume). This will give you an edge over other candidates.
Finance
Finance is one of the most popular majors in college because it combines a variety of career paths with high job security and earnings. It teaches students how to manage cash flows, budgets, corporate finance, and more while also helping them develop important interpersonal skills.
Finance deals with the management of money for businesses, individuals, and governments. It covers banking, debt, capital markets, investments, credit, and other financial systems. It’s a crucial part of any economy, as proper funding is required to grow, deal with crises, and invest in the future.
While many financial theories resemble scientific or mathematical equations, the field is still very much an art form as it requires knowledge of human behavior and motivation. Actuarial science, for instance, uses data to determine the probabilities of natural and man-made disasters that could affect global finances. This information allows companies to anticipate losses and minimize their risk. This is especially relevant in the insurance sector, which employs actuaries.
Health Science
Health science degrees are great for those who enjoy working with people and want to help them stay healthy and active. Students can choose careers where they are hands-on with patients, such as a physical therapists, or they can take a more behind-the-scenes position like a healthcare administrator.
Many of these jobs require a bachelor’s degree and can provide good pay opportunities. Labor market projections also show that these positions will be in demand for the foreseeable future.
Students that pursue a degree in this field will study a variety of topics that can include subjects like epidemiology, nutrition, and healthcare management. They will learn about the ins and outs of healthcare, including how to care for patients and what types of medications are available.
Some health science programs even offer a bachelor’s degree that can be a good stepping stone to a more advanced job in one of the allied healthcare fields. For example, a medical laboratory technician with a bachelor’s in health science can become a lab manager.
Information Technology
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a business or organization that doesn’t rely on IT systems and software. Whether it’s to help with basic information processing tasks, streamline communication and collaboration efforts, or assist with innovation, IT is an integral part of any organization.
It’s also an essential tool on a personal level. From playing games and sharing media content to shopping and socializing, people rely on IT to connect them with their friends and family. It also plays an important role in scalability, seamless sustainability, and productivity for businesses of all sizes.
As a career field, IT has strong job growth and is relatively broad, making it an ideal choice for those who want to break into the tech industry. Those with a degree in IT can work as cybersecurity experts, network administrators, and software developers, among other roles. Moreover, they’ll be able to help their employer and customers solve technology-related issues and problems promptly. Those with good communication skills will have an advantage in this industry.
Pharmacology
Pharmacology is the scientific study of drugs, their effects on a biological system, and the discovery and development of new drugs to prevent and cure disease. It is an exciting career path for those with a strong interest in medicines and drug delivery, especially those interested in helping to improve the health and well-being of human society.
Pharmacologists work within the pharmaceutical industry, with some also choosing to focus on animal-based research. Their work focuses on the effects of drugs and medicines on humans and animals, including both their therapeutic and toxic effects. Typical job tasks include carrying out laboratory-based research and presenting their findings to fellow scientists.
Pharmacologists often choose to specialize in specific areas such as pharmacodynamics, which examines the impact of the drug on the body’s biology, and pharmacokinetics, which studies how the body affects the drug (in terms of absorption, distribution around the body, metabolism into other substances, and excretion). Other specializations within pharmacology include clinical pharmacology, neuropharmacology, and cancer pharmacology. This is an important area of study, as it ensures that the right medicines are being developed and tested.
Nursing
The nursing field is always at the forefront of medical innovation. Whether it’s an advancement in telemedicine or the latest research, nurses are often at the forefront of the industry and able to quickly adapt to new developments. Nursing is also a very diverse career that allows you to specialize in any area of healthcare that interests you.
Regardless of their specialization, all nurses can be proud to know that they are making a positive impact on people’s lives every day. Oftentimes, nurses are the ones who provide emotional support to patients during their most vulnerable and challenging moments. This is something that is truly gratifying to be a part of, and it is one of the main reasons candidates cite when discussing why they chose to become nurses.
If you are interested in pursuing a nursing degree, CTX’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) track allows students with existing college credits or a non-nursing bachelor’s degree to begin their careers on an accelerated timeline. Learn more about our ABSN program and apply today!
Business management
Business management is a degree that prepares individuals for leadership roles in a variety of fields. Those with this type of degree are often tasked with overseeing the daily operations of an entire company and ensuring that short- and long-term goals are being met. In general, those who pursue a bachelor’s degree in this field may work their way up to executive-level positions within an organization. Depending on their specific area of expertise, they can serve in several departments, including transportation, marketing, technology, sales, and finance.
While the exact curriculum of a business management program will vary slightly between schools, most programs will include courses that explore topics like human resource management, organizational development, financial accounting, managerial analytics, and information system usage. Some will even require students to complete an internship, which can help them gain valuable industry experience while they are still students.
Many students who pursue a bachelor’s degree in business management do so while working full-time in a related field. This is because this option allows them to study and take classes while maintaining their employment and responsibilities.
Marketing
Marketing is the process of creating, managing, and implementing strategies that drive sales and customer retention. This field also includes market research and analysis, which are crucial to companies looking to meet customer needs and achieve business goals. A degree in marketing can open up jobs within a variety of industries, including those that are not directly sales-related, such as public relations or advertising. Programs are available at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
A degree in advertising can be an excellent way to start your career because it prepares you to create and deliver messages to both customers and employees.