After high school bright young Americans go to college, get a degree and then get a job – or at least that is how it used to work. A degree is still worth more than the paper it is print on, but students can maximize their employment options by taking courses in the top five most versatile academic fields. The more specific the course of study, the narrower the hiring prospects, according to Fortune 500 adviser Dan Kilgore’s statements on Yahoo News .
Tying academic courses to a broad career path may enhance the likelihood of securing long-lasting prosperity. The Hard Times, College Major, Unemployment and Earnings: Not All Degrees Are Created Equal study created by the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce urges both burgeoning scholars and adults returning to campus not to tie their majors too closely to a particular occupation.
Filling the minds of young children with knowledge if a worthy goal, but if teacher layoffs occur, altruistic educators may find themselves making fries at the local burger joint. The 2012 university study essentially encourages scholars to have a back-up plan to their dream job. An adaptable minor for those dead-set on a specific path could help keep the paychecks flowing during a struggling economy.
Top 5 Most Versatile College Degrees
1. Business Administration – Learning how to churn a profit builds a strong foundation and is very attractive to prospective employers in a vast array of industries, according to the Georgetown University report. Possible careers include market research, financial advisor, and market analyst.
2. Accounting – Learning how to gather, record, interpret, and communicate data also makes recent graduates appealing to human resources interviewers. Potential jobs could include a host on analyst and financial industry positions.
3. Computer Science – All those hours spent playing online games, interacting on social networking websites and downloading apps could finally come in handy. Computer science careers have been on the “hot degrees” list for the past 25 years. Future employment could include software developer, programmer, designer, installation and repair.
4. Psychology – Perhaps one of the most lucrative liberal arts paths. An understanding of personalities, social interaction and neuroscience may lead to being hired in the family services, corrections, education and human resources field.
5. Criminal Justice – Until the world becomes a warm and fuzzy place, law enforcement and detainment workers will be in high demand. In addition to the traditional police officers jobs associated with criminal justice credentials, graduates could work as a human resources specialist, evidence processor, private investigator, security analyst or safety executive for wealthy individuals and successful companies.