Deciding on a university major is arguably the most significant decision students make as they step into their adult lives. The choice may come easily to those who’re sure about their passion. However, it can be difficult for others who are still considering options. What’s common for everyone, nonetheless, is that the decision can make or break their future. There is a plethora of top-tier universities in the world to choose from and an even more comprehensive array of degrees to study.
Not knowing about your options can even make you end up studying a degree you were never interested in. The lack of support and awareness is why many students end up choosing the wrong degree, causing the college dropout rate to be as high as 32.9%.
Multiple factors need to be taken into consideration when making such an important choice, the chief of which is future job prospects. A degree should equip a student with the necessary skills to secure a high-paying job while also imparting valuable knowledge. The following contents in this article are the most popular degrees to help give you an idea about the options you can explore.
1. Liberal Studies
A liberal studies degree is a mix of exciting courses like art, history, literature, and philosophy. If you decide to pursue a degree in liberal studies, you’ll learn various soft skills that will help you in your career. This degree will shape you into a creative free-thinker with excellent problem-solving skills. If you care about people and have a high social interest, liberal studies will fit you like a glove.
As a liberal studies student, you’ll have wider career options and more control over your options. Many recognized colleges offer a liberal studies degree online so that you can have more autonomy over your studies. Once you specialize in your career, you can work jobs like a community service manager or a school teacher.
2. Statistics
Statistics is closely interlinked with mathematics. However, mathematics is a broader domain of quantity, the science of numbers and space. On the other hand, statistics focus on data, its allocation, interpretation, collection, and analysis. You’ll see mathematics used more in the engineering field and statistics in the business field. If you’re interested in data analysis and numbers, a degree in statistics will teach you lifelong skills.
People who study statistics have excellent logic, conduct the research efficiently, and work with large amounts of data. Since major companies use a vast database to run their servers, they’ll always need someone to arrange and analyze it. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, a statistician can earn an annual median wage of $96,280.
3. Business
A business degree contains all it takes to effectively run an organization. It consists of subjects like finance, management, and, most importantly, entrepreneurship. A business degree can equip you with problem-solving skills that fit the fast-paced business world. You’ll learn to be a confident leader and excellent communicator and excel in networking. A business degree lets you create as many career paths as you want. You can either start your business or join one with jobs as a business manager or analyst.
4. International Relations
Studying international relations means you’ll learn the significance of the actions of countries towards each other. The degree contains multiple subjects on the economy of different countries, human rights, disputes, environment, and history. Students of international relations gain a deeper understanding of global needs through courses like global poverty and global ethics to promote global cooperation.
An international relations degree stresses cross-cultural communication and using negotiations to get countries to a middle line. You develop research, interpersonal, and analytical skills, which can help you in future jobs like foreign and civil service.
5. Information Technology
An information technology degree is highly relevant and valuable in today’s time because the world is business and technology-oriented. You can work with major corporations, provide customer support, and solve business problems with complex software. If you’re looking for a stable job with a steady income, a career in IT will suit you best. You’ll have multiple career paths as an IT specialist, such as a business analyst, application developer, or client support analyst. You can expect to earn an annual wage of $95,100 with an information technology degree.
6. Psychology
Awareness of mental health and well-being has skyrocketed over the past years, and many people have picked up an interest in psychology. If you’re considering pursuing a psychology degree, you’re probably interested in understanding yourself and the others around you. You’ll learn to examine human behavior and evaluate their mental processes through interesting courses like cognitive psychology, behavioral psychology, and abnormal psychology.
Your career path as a psychologist will be diverse; you can become a school counselor or teacher, but you’ll need a master’s and a state-approved license to be a practicing therapist. Different types of psychologists earn different amounts, but you can commonly earn around $102,900 annual wage.
7. Health Science
A degree in health science will be relevant as long as people exist. You’ll learn medical knowledge with the intent of real-world application to make healthcare more accessible. You can join healthcare administrations at an entry-level to promote community health and other healthcare services. This degree is commonly referred to as “pre-med” because it can prepare you for graduate-level education in dentistry or medicine.
Conclusion
Explore your options thoroughly and select what suits you best. Consider your degree an investment, so make sure you choose something that’ll return value to you in the future. Many people end up either not using their degree or giving up on it in the middle.
To make sure you make the most of your degree, choose wisely after considering multiple options. Take advice from people working in the fields that interest you, see if you meet the requirements of the degree you’ve chosen, and whether or not your strengths can help you in your chosen field.