Career Advice

Top College Majors for In-Demand Jobs

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Michael Yan
Published: (Updated: ) - 9 min read
Michael Yan is the co-founder & CEO of Simplify. Previously a software engineer at Meta, Michael dropped out of Stanford to found Simplify. He is a part-time career coach & Y Combinator alum.

Photo by Vasily Koloda / Unsplash

College is an exciting time filled with big changes and new experiences. However, it can also be an overwhelming time due to the amount of things you need to consider when picking a major. If you’re trying to figure out which college major will lead to a job after graduation, this article is for you. In today’s job market, it can feel like there are endless roadblocks when trying to secure employment after graduation. That’s why so many students stress about what major they should pick in order to get a job after they graduate. Fortunately, the answer isn’t as complicated as you may think. It all boils down to how willing you are to pursue specific career fields that are in demand right now. Check out our list of 10 majors that with the best job prospects below!

Computer Science

Average Salary: $84,000

Computer science is one of the most in-demand majors out there, and it’s a great field to get into if you’re looking to get a job in the tech sector. If you get a degree in computer science, you’ll have a wide variety of job options available to you. You’ll be able to work in tech, healthcare, the government, and many other industries. You’ll also be able to command a decent salary too.  The reason computer science is such a great major is because it’s actually a lot more creative than some people realize. You’ll learn how to solve problems creatively and have to apply critical thinking skills in order to create solutions.

Consider studying computer science for a fulfilling career with plenty of job prospects and a competitive salary. This major is often seen as technical and analytical, but it also requires creative problem-solving and critical thinking skills. As a computer science graduate, you'll have the opportunity to work in a variety of industries including tech, healthcare, and government, among others. So if you're looking for a challenging and rewarding career, computer science might be the perfect choice for you!

Business and Finance

Average Salary: $76,000

The business and finance fields are always in high demand. There are many different types of businesses that need people with business and financial knowledge. With a business or finance degree, you could work in management, finance, sales, or marketing. A business or finance degree can also help you get into fields like accounting or law. Business and finance degrees are great because they can open up a lot of doors in terms of career options. If you get a degree in business or finance, you’ll be able to get a job in almost any industry. Plus, you can work in many different roles, which gives you a lot of flexibility when it comes to career choices.

A degree in business or finance can lead to a versatile and in-demand career. These fields are always in demand, with a wide range of industries seeking professionals with business and financial knowledge. You can work in management, finance, sales, marketing, accounting, law, and more. With a business or finance degree, you'll have many career options, giving you the flexibility to choose a role that fits your interests and goals. Pursuing a degree in these fields can open up numerous doors and lead to a fulfilling career.

Electrical Engineering

Average Salary: $78,870

Electrical engineering is another great major to get if you’re looking to get a job in tech. Electrical engineers are responsible for designing and managing the production of electrical equipment. This could include things like power grids, computer networks, and even medical devices. Electrical engineering degrees are difficult, but the job outlook for this major is very promising. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that employment for electrical engineers will grow by 11% between now and 2026. This is much faster than the average growth rate for other occupations. Electrical engineering is one of the best college majors for jobs because it’s applicable in a wide variety of industries. You can work in sectors like health care, business, and even the aerospace industry. You can also work in many different roles, like designing, managing projects, and engineering new products.

Electrical engineering is a highly in-demand and rewarding field. Electrical engineers design and oversee the production of electrical equipment, ranging from power grids and computer networks to medical devices. With a degree in electrical engineering, you'll have opportunities in various industries, including healthcare, business, and aerospace, and can work in roles such as design, project management, and product engineering. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 11% job growth in electrical engineering by 2026, outpacing the average growth rate for other occupations. Pursuing a degree in electrical engineering can lead to a fulfilling and promising career.

Marketing and Advertising

Average Salary: $69,000

Marketing and advertising degrees are great if you’re trying to get a job in marketing. A marketing or advertising degree can lead to many different types of jobs, including marketing manager, sales representative, and even public relations. There are many different types of businesses that need marketers and advertisers, so this is a great major to get if you want to work in a wide variety of industries. You don’t have to work in a marketing role to earn a good salary with this degree. Many people who get marketing or advertising degrees end up working in other fields, though. This is because marketing skills can be applied to almost any type of business. Marketing skills are important for any company that wants to sell products or services. If you get a degree in marketing or advertising, you’ll be able to apply these skills to many different types of jobs.

Marketing and advertising majors offer a wide range of career options and opportunities. A degree in these fields can lead to jobs in marketing management, sales, public relations and more. The demand for marketers and advertisers is high across various industries, making it a versatile and valuable degree. Additionally, the skills gained from a marketing or advertising degree can be applied in various roles and businesses, making it a highly sought after major for a lucrative and fulfilling career.

Human Resources

Average Salary: $57,821

Human resources is a great major if you want to work in HR. HR professionals are responsible for managing all of the employees at a company. They are also responsible for hiring new workers and firing people who are no longer needed. If you get a degree in HR, you can work in many different types of businesses. HR is a very in-demand major, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that there will be a lot of job openings in this field in the near future. As businesses become more global and grow, they’ll need more HR professionals to manage their employees, including workers in other countries. Human resources is a very versatile degree, so you can apply your skills to many different types of jobs. You can even get your master’s in human resources to advance your career further, if you’d like.

Human resources is a highly sought-after major as the demand for HR professionals is growing. With a degree in HR, you'll have the opportunity to manage employees, handle hiring and firing, and play a crucial role in maintaining the smooth functioning of a company. As businesses expand globally, the need for HR professionals who can handle a diverse workforce will only increase. A degree in HR opens up a wide range of career options, and you can even advance further with a master's degree in the field.

Communications

Average Salary: $55,812

Communications majors work in many different fields, but their skills are especially relevant for journalists and public relations professionals. If you want to work in journalism or public relations, a communications degree is the best major for you. Journalism is a very tough field to get into, so having a communications degree can help you get hired for different types of journalism jobs. For example, if you want to be a newspaper journalist, you’ll need to get a journalism degree. If you want to work for a television news station, you’ll need a degree in broadcast journalism. If you want to work in public relations, communications is a very useful major. PR professionals need to be able to write well and come up with creative communication strategies.

A communications degree prepares students for a variety of careers in journalism and public relations. With this major, students can specialize in areas such as newspaper journalism or broadcast journalism and apply their skills to different types of journalism jobs. For those interested in public relations, a communications degree provides a strong foundation in writing and creative communication strategies, making it a valuable asset for PR professionals.

Accounting

Average Salary: $73,560

If you’re interested in working as an accountant, a degree in accounting is the best college major for jobs. Almost all accountants have some type of college degree, and a lot of employers prefer to hire people with a bachelor’s degree. Accounting is a very stable field. There will always be businesses and individuals who need financial advice. Plus, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that employment in accounting will grow at a rate of 12% between now and 2026. There are different types of accounting jobs for you to get with a degree in accounting. You can work in public accounting, corporate accounting, governmental accounting, or financial auditing. Accounting skills are also very useful for other fields, like law. If you get your degree in accounting, you can use your skills to work in many different industries.

Having a degree in accounting also offers the opportunity to become a certified public accountant (CPA). This is a highly respected professional designation that opens up even more career opportunities and can lead to higher salaries. Additionally, with the increasing importance of corporate social responsibility, businesses are putting more emphasis on the role of accountants in ensuring ethical and transparent financial practices. This makes it an exciting time to enter the field of accounting, with plenty of room for growth and advancement. Overall, an accounting degree is a wise investment that provides a solid foundation for a successful career in finance.

Economics

Average Salary: $102,607

If you’re interested in pursuing a career in business, an economics degree is a great major for jobs. Economics is the study of how people and companies use their resources to interact with each other. Economics degrees are extremely versatile and can be applied to many different types of businesses. Economics is a great major if you have interests in business, math, or science. You’ll learn skills in all three disciplines while earning your degree. Economics is a very in-demand major and can lead to many different types of jobs after graduation. You can work in business, government, or nonprofits. You can also work in many different roles, such as finance, marketing, and even teaching.

Additionally, economics graduates are well-prepared for roles that involve data analysis, forecasting, and decision-making. The analytical and critical thinking skills developed in an economics program are valuable in a wide range of industries, including finance, consulting, and research. An economics degree can also lead to more advanced positions, such as economist, financial analyst, or management consultant. With the right experience and education, economics graduates can advance to high-level leadership positions in government or private organizations. Overall, an economics degree is a flexible and valuable asset that can open many doors to a successful and lucrative career.

Mechanical Engineering

Average Salary: $73,714

Mechanical engineers design and create machines, products, and even robots. Mechanical engineers build machines that are efficient and effective at doing their intended purpose. Mechanical engineers make sure things like cars and airplanes get built properly so that they’ll be safe to use. If you’re interested in this field, a degree in mechanical engineering is the best college major for jobs. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that employment for mechanical engineers will grow by 12% between now and 2026. This makes mechanical engineering one of the best college majors for jobs. You can work in many different types of industries, including aerospace, automotive, and oil and gas. You can also work in many different roles, such as design, project management, production, and sales.

Having a degree in mechanical engineering opens up many opportunities for careers in the industry. Mechanical engineers are in high demand in a variety of industries, and their skills are essential to the design and development of new and innovative products. Additionally, mechanical engineers are able to work in different capacities, including design, research and development, production, and even management. The field of mechanical engineering is constantly evolving, providing exciting and challenging opportunities for those with a passion for technology and innovation. With a strong background in mathematics, physics, and computer-aided design, a mechanical engineering degree is a valuable investment in your future career prospects.

Bottom line - Picking the right college major for jobs

Choosing the right college major can be difficult, especially if you’re not sure what you want to do with your life. However, it’s important to pick a major that will lead to jobs after graduation. There are many different majors that will lead to jobs, so if you’re struggling to pick one, just remember to consider your interests and strengths. If you love math, engineering might be a great choice for you. If you love writing, communications might be a good major for you. There's ultimately no right answer, but we hope this post gave you some additional insight to consider!

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