Business
Total Number of Jobs (2011): 12,037,000
Median Earnings for Full-time Workers (2011): $66,605
A bachelor’s degree in business tops our list with the highest number of jobs for individuals who are 25 years or older. The popularity of this major can be explained by the fact that it provides tremendous opportunities for growth and possibly the broadest selection of fields for employment. Typical Jobs for business majors include:
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Business Development Manager: These individuals are required to locate and exploit new business opportunities by forming strategic partnerships and understanding the competitive landscape.
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Financial Analyst: They are required to analyze conditions that affect the companies’ investment portfolio and advise companies on best practices for better financial results.
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Sales Manager: These managers are required to establish sales targets and forecast sales statistics in order to determine trends and formulate plans for improved performance and greater business development.
Education
Total Number of Jobs (2011): 8,042,000
Median Earnings for Full-time Workers (2011): $50,902
Education is one of the few sectors that are doing tremendously well in terms of job growth. With over 8 million jobs in the market for people who are 25 or above, individuals with a bachelor’s degree in education may have a distinct sector of the market all to themselves. Even though state-wise requirements vary, most states require teachers to be licensed or certified, with a preference for bachelor degree holders, especially in case of private schools. Typical jobs for education majors include:
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Physical Education Teachers: They instruct students in fitness, sports and health.
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Special Education Teachers: They work with students with learning, mental, physical or emotional disability. They formulate lesson plans in keeping with the needs of different students and might also be required to teach basic skills such as communication, reading and writing.
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Kindergarten & Elementary School Teachers: These teachers are required to prepare younger students for future education by familiarizing them with basic concepts of math and reading.
Science & Engineering Related Fields
Total Number of Jobs (2011): 5,303,000 Median Earnings for Full-time Workers (2011): $69,615
Science and engineering related fields include non-engineering fields. They fall in the broader category of scientific study, dealing with complex problems, drawing on disciplines like physics, biology and chemistry and engaging in evidence-based scientific practices. Typical careers for science and engineering related fields include:
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Registered Nurses: These individuals are required to provide patient care and emotional support to patients and their families. They may also educate about different health conditions.
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Pharmacists: A pharmacist is required to assist physicians and dentists by providing relevant and appropriate medicine to patients. They usually work in drug, retail or departmental stores. Pharmacists are also directly employed by hospitals.
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Health Services Managers: These individuals are responsible for planning, directing and coordinating medical and healthcare services. They might be in-charge of an entire facility or a specific department. Health services managers are required to keep themselves updated on healthcare laws and regulations.
Social Sciences
Total Number of Jobs (2011): 4,599,000
Median Earnings for Full-time Workers (2011): $70,197
Social sciences include anthropology, archaeology, environmental studies, politics, economics, business and media studies, etc. These majors focus on teaching invaluable skills sets; adding, oral and written communication, teamwork, interpersonal, technical, analytical, organizational and problem solving skills to your abilities. Typical careers for social science majors include:
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Management Analysts: These individuals determine ways to improve organizational efficiency and advise the company’s management on best practices that are likely to provide the most profitable returns.
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Marketing Managers: These managers are responsible for complete advertising, promotions and marketing activities of products or services their company provides.
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Public Relations Specialists: These individuals work for companies and assist them in building relationships with other organizations or key persons. In essence, PR specialists are people who get paid to network on behalf of their company.
Engineering
Total Number of Jobs (2011): 4,592,000
Median Earnings for Full-time Workers (2011): $91,611
People aged 25 or older, who majored in engineering at the bachelor’s level, had the highest median earnings in 2011, with the greatest likelihood to be employed in the private sector (78.6%).Engineers are not only required for research and developmental projects, but they also contribute by providing managerial support in the production processes. They are in-charge of overseeing other professionals, such as technicians, construction workers and draftsmen. Typical engineering careers include:
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Civil Engineers: These individuals are responsible for designing, constructing, supervising and operating mass scale construction projects and systems. Roads, buildings, dams, airports and bridges all fall under civil engineering.
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Industrial Engineers: Finding ways to reduce wasteful elements in the production process, industrial engineers come up with efficient methods to utilize machines, workforce and materials.
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Automotive Engineers: These individuals are responsible for designing vehicle engines, transmissions and other systems related to automotives. They make use of computer-based design programs and oversee construction, modification and testing of vehicle parts.
Biological, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
Total Number of Jobs (2011): 3,617,000
Median Earnings for Full-time Workers (2011): $70,025
Biological, agricultural and environmental sciences include molecular and cell biology, fisheries, animal and veterinary sciences, geosciences, natural resources, nutrition and food science, ecology and ecosystems, sustainable agriculture and plant sciences. Typical careers for graduates of this major include:
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Farmers and Agricultural Managers: These individuals are required to supervise the development of crops, animals and other products that can be sold to businesses or private consumers.
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Clinical Laboratory Technicians: Examining body fluids and cells, matching blood transfusions, operating sophisticated laboratory equipment and carrying out medical tests and procedures, form a part of the job of a clinical laboratory technician.
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Sales, Wholesale & Manufacturing: Professionals employed in this sector are responsible for the wholesale manufacturing and sales of agriculture, medical and environmental improvement related equipment. They provide machinery and technology to businesses, government agencies and other private organizations.
Liberal Arts and History
Total Number of Jobs (2011): 2,998,000
Median Earnings for Full-time Workers (2011): $58,761
A combination of studies revolving around arts, languages, history, literature, music, philosophy and religion, this particular field allows you to explore a vast area of studies. Being a liberal arts and history major, you might develop skills such as critical reasoning, effective communication, analytical skills and a strong understanding of relationships between different fields of study. Typical careers for liberal arts and history majors include:
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Administrative Assistants: These individuals perform routine clerical and administrative duties, organizing files and documents, scheduling appointments, managing support staff and supporting the overall administrative procedures.
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School Teachers: Liberal arts majors may end up teaching in schools at elementary or secondary levels. They are responsible for preparing students for higher studies.
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Social Workers: These individuals are responsible for identifying their client’s needs and strengths and form a support network to set a list of goals for them. They formulate plans to improve their client’s well-being, and assist them in responding to complex crisis situations.
Psychology
Total Number of Jobs (2011): 2,737,000
Median Earnings for Full-time Workers (2011): $55,509
Psychology is the study of human or animal behavior and their respective mental functions. Psychologists describe, predict, explain and control behavior and mental processes. Critical thinking, evaluation, analysis and research abilities are some of the skills that this major helps students develop. Typical careers for psychology majors include:
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Career Counselors: These individuals work with students or professionals who have questions about their career. They may also be assigned with mentoring tasks.
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Sales and Management Jobs: Psychology majors may end up in sales and management jobs because of their advanced interpersonal skills and understanding of the human mind.
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Psychiatric Technicians: These technicians are responsible for taking care of people who have mental illnesses and developmental disabilities. They provide therapeutic care and enable their patients to carry out daily tasks in a safe and healthy atmosphere.
All college bound students want to get the most out of their time in college. Higher education is expensive and time consuming; selecting a major which pays off in the end is therefore very important. If you had questions regarding the “right” major in the beginning of this blog, hopefully those questions have been answere.
Sources:
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/Education-Training-and-Library/Special-education-teachers.htm
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/Education-Training-and-Library/Kindergarten-and-elementary-school-teachers.htm
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/industrial-engineers.htm
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/civil-engineers.htm
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/Business-and-Financial/Management-analysts.htm#tab-4
https://www.census.gov/library/infographics/engineering_majors.html
https://www.census.gov/library/infographics/sci_eng_majors.html
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/Management/Medical-and-health-services-managers.htm
https://www.census.gov/library/infographics/biological_majors.html
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm#tab-2
https://www.census.gov/library/infographics/liberal_art_majors.html
https://www.census.gov/library/infographics/psyc_majors.html
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/psychiatric-technicians-and-aides.htm
