by Dina Suarez
Choosing a college major is a huge decision that every student must make if they decide to pursue higher education. And, yes, you can enroll in a university or college of your choice without a major decision. But sooner or later, you have to make your mind up, decide which career to pursue, and plan for your future. A national survey of freshmen reports that at least 9 percent were undecided when they stepped into college, so you’re not completely alone in tackling this predicament.
To give you an idea of which direction to take in college, we’ve rounded up five promising majors where you can grow and cultivate a fulfilling career.
Medical Technology
Without medical technologists, nurses and doctors would find it impossible to provide modern patient care. From research labs to field hospitals, medical technologists analyze patients and samples to come up with insightful information. A medical technology degree will train you to handle various lab equipment such as MRI machines, histology machines, and various analyzers, as well as teach you how to process patient information. Those with degrees in medical technology have a good career outlook, as employment rates are increasing and the unemployment rate remains low at two to four percent. Median salaries for medical technologies range around $50,000, and this increases as you take various certifications after you graduate.
Data Science
It’s estimated that 463 exabytes of data will be produced each day globally by 2025, so more and more industries are looking to hire professionals that can make sense of all this information. Due to the rapid digital transformation of many industries, and as more people use IoT devices, today’s companies often look for professionals that can understand and analyze huge amounts of data. With a data science degree, you’ll encounter multidisciplinary courses that can teach you how to link analytics to create value for an organization no matter the industry—whether it’s in technology, healthcare, sports, or education. The starting salary for data scientists remains high at $95,000, and if you work your way up to a managerial role, you have the potential to earn an annual pay of $195,000.
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity is more important now for businesses across the world than it has ever been. After all, businesses hold a lot of sensitive data that is coveted by malicious hackers. Indeed, labor market analytics firm Burning Glass Technologies reports that the demand for cybersecurity workers nearly doubled from 2013 to 2019, and it’s even growing three times as fast as other IT roles in the job market. Therefore, getting a degree in this particular field has never been easier as many universities recognize the need for cybersecurity professionals across all industries. Subsequently, more and more schools are now offering full cybersecurity degrees that can be completed remotely. With an online cybersecurity degree students can develop the necessary skills related to digital forensics, database design, programming, and cyber law thanks to an extensive curriculum designed by industry experts. This remote learning setup also allows you to finish your degree at your own pace and from the comfort of your own home.
Aeronautics and Aviation
While the field of aeronautics and aviation poses a lot of academic challenges, it is an incredibly fulfilling industry and offers a ton of growth opportunities. The usual coursework for aeronautics and aviation students includes extensive lessons in mathematics, physics, propulsion, mechanics, aerodynamics, computer programming, and chemistry, just to name a few. If you decide to chase after a master’s or doctoral degree, you will be able to pursue more opportunities in the aeronautics field and work in companies that focus on research and development. Those with aviation and aeronautics degrees that work in airline industries can expect to make at least $60,000 a year.
Nursing
The fast-growing population of newborns and seniors, as well as the recent global health crisis, has highlighted gaps in the nursing workforce. So, majoring in nursing is a good idea now if you want steady employment rates and to be of service to your community. Aside from hospitals and other healthcare facilities, having a degree in nursing can secure you a position in other settings such as private companies. If you choose to focus your nursing degree and career on a certain medical field such as geriatrics, oncology, or mental health, you can potentially earn more as the average salary for nursing specialists in the U.S. starts at $106,028.
Your college major can dictate your future success in life, so be sure to take your time and do your due diligence to find one that best suits your skills. If you want to prepare yourself for what college entails and learn how to get admitted to your dream school during these distressing times, be sure to have a look at our other posts.
Related Reads:
Keys to Financial Wellness from a Debt Free Nurse
Dina Suarez is a freelance writer with an expressed interest in business, IT, and related fields. She’s a huge advocate for remote learning. Sometime in the next two years, she plans to get a Master’s degree in marketing.
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