College can be expensive and the job market can feel cut-throat at times; it’s understandable if you’re cautious about your future career prospects. But are you giving up on your dreams too easily? Or is it all just a risk worth taking? There’s no one right answer, of course, since everyone has different circumstances and passions. If you want to go back to college but aren’t sure what degree is worth it, we’ve got some advice for you. Take a look at the following details about various degrees and the job market before you make your decision.
Computer science is the broad term for any kind of programming, engineering, or related field. There are many different specialties within computer science, which is why it’s important to take that into account when you’re choosing a major. If you go into computer science but specialize in bioinformatics, you have very different job prospects than someone with a degree in software engineering. But, generally speaking, computer science is a lucrative field with a lot of room for growth and change. Why choose computer science? The field is booming, and demand for programmers and engineers is at an all-time high. There are a ton of different specializations for you to choose from. There’s a shortage of skilled computer science professionals, so if you have the skills, you’ll have a lot of options open to you.
Business majors are often accused of being overly general and not applicable to any particular field. But, like most degrees, you can’t really make a sweeping judgment like that. There are plenty of careers that a business degree can help you pursue. You can use a business degree to become a marketing manager, analyst, entrepreneur, or consultant. There are even some management positions that require a business degree as a minimum education requirement. Business majors are often prepared with critical thinking skills that are useful in almost any field. Why choose business? There are plenty of different paths you can take with a business degree, so you’re not overly specialized in any one industry. There’s a high demand for business management and consulting services. There’s also room for creativity and entrepreneurship within businesses like marketing and consulting.
Psychology is the study of human behavior and mental processes. Psychology majors are often well prepared to take on roles within applied psychology, which includes fields like industrial/organizational psychology and health psychology. There’s also a large amount of research done in psychology, which is a great choice for those who might want to pursue a career in academia. The demand for psychologists is high, especially in health care settings. There are vast amounts of room for growth and change within the field, too. Psychology often goes hand in hand with other fields of study like neuroscience and cognitive science. Why choose psychology? Psychology is a very broad field with many different specialties. You have lots of room to choose a path that interests you. Psychology is largely focused on human behavior and mental processes. This can be applied to many fields outside of the psychology field itself.
Marketing and advertising majors prepare you for careers in advertising and marketing. You’re likely to find yourself as a marketing manager, brand strategist, or social media manager after graduation. Both fields are highly competitive, but marketing and advertising majors are prepared for the challenge. You’ll have to be creative and strategic if you want to succeed in these fields, but the reward is lots of room for growth and change. Why choose marketing and advertising? These fields are highly competitive, but they’re also in high demand. Marketing managers and brand strategists are needed in a variety of industries. There’s a high demand for social media managers, too. You’ll be prepared to deal with high levels of competition and constant change because these fields are ever-changing.
Anthropology and archaeology majors are generally well suited to museum work or research. There are many different specialties within these fields, and you’ll have a lot of room to choose a path that interests you. Anthropology is the study of human cultures and archaeology is the study of past cultures through their artifacts. Both fields are very interesting and relevant, but they aren’t very lucrative. Why choose anthropology and archaeology? These fields are very interesting, and you get to travel and explore new places. You may end up working in a museum, but you might also pursue research of some sort. Anthropology and archaeology are very interdisciplinary fields, so you’ll be well prepared to collaborate and work with other specialists.
Sociology is the study of the relationships between individuals and groups. Anthropology is the study of human cultures and social behavior. Both fields are highly interdisciplinary and can be applied to many different settings. You can pursue a sociology or anthropology degree and go on to work in government, education, or social justice organizations. Why choose sociology and anthropology? These fields are very broad and allow you to study human social behavior and cultures in a wide variety of settings. You can pursue almost any career path you’d like with these degrees because they are so interdisciplinary.
Economics majors study the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. You can explore many different specialties within economics, but you’re likely to go into finance or business consulting after graduation. Economics majors are very well prepared to pursue a career in finance. Why choose economics? Economics majors are well prepared to solve financial problems and pursue a career in finance or business consulting. Economics deals with a wide variety of topics and is a very interdisciplinary field.
When choosing a major, you should think about what you enjoy and what you’re good at. There’s no point in choosing a major you hate or isn’t right for you just because it seems like a good idea. You’re better off pursuing a career that excites you and that you’re good at. If you’re still not sure, don’t worry. There’s still time to figure it out. You can always change your major later.