Top 10 best degrees for the future?
With the increasing rates of unemployment, the job market has become extremely competitive nowadays, which has forced students to seek new ways to stand out in the job search and secure a high-paying job in the future. As such, many people are asking themselves Which are the best degrees for the future? The truth is that this question cannot be answered by any one person as it really depends on your goals and personal preferences but here are 10 of the most promising degrees that you should consider pursuing if you want to be successful in life.
1) Mathematician
If you’re drawn to math, but are worried that you might never get a job doing it, take heart. Thanks to technology—and especially big data—mathematicians will continue to have plenty of opportunities over the next decade or so. One 2014 report from Glassdoor Economic Research predicts that over 100,000 jobs in computer science and mathematics will be created by 2018 due to an increase in demand (read: companies like Apple and Google need more programmers). And as of 2015, there are already 594,600 math professionals in U.S. tech companies (not including mathematicians specifically) compared with 505,200 engineers—so you’ll be competing with those folks too. However that doesn’t mean your options are limited!
2) Computer science
Programming and software development may have gone mainstream, but even now few people really understand what goes into these crucial roles. And yet, behind every piece of technology that touches our lives—from mobile apps to websites to smart cars—there are coders who make it all happen. With increasing demand and salaries continuing to rise, computer science remains a great major that prepares students for rewarding careers in many different industries. If you’re interested in becoming a coder yourself, it’s worth knowing which college majors can help get you there. Computer science: Easily one of top five most desirable majors on campus today.
3) Physician Assistant
According to research conducted by Georgetown University Center on Education and Workforce, there will be a shortfall of more than 90,000 physicians by 2020. It’s also projected that jobs in health care will increase by 17 percent through 2018. Considering how many physicians are needed, it only makes sense that a good chunk of them will become physician assistants. Also known as PAs, they perform administrative and clinical tasks under supervision of a doctor. They order tests and examine patients under direction of doctors and surgeons but may prescribe medications independently in some states (22 states + D.C.). In fact, 65 percent of physician assistants work in primary care—cardiology or family medicine being among the most popular fields—and about 20 percent work in surgical specialties.
6) Global studies
With jobs increasing overseas and global competition becoming even more fierce, it’s important to have a background in global studies. This will give you broad knowledge of international culture and business practices as well as allow you to develop global leadership skills. It’s also helpful to work or study abroad during college; even if it’s just a summer, working outside your comfort zone can help you adapt better when you move into an international workplace later on.
4) Game design
Being a game designer means you get to be an artist and engineer all at once. This is no longer just an art degree – though it certainly can be one – it’s also a path to becoming an architect of awesome ideas, or one who brings visions to life through tech. If that sounds like something you’d like to do, consider getting your bachelor’s in game design. From there, you could pursue a master’s in another related field and become qualified enough to apply for jobs at bigger studios or even launch your own project.
5) Human resources
With a lot of traditional blue-collar jobs disappearing in recent years, it’s becoming more important than ever to have specialized skills. The job market is shifting toward a knowledge economy, and workers who can master multiple disciplines will be far more valuable than those who rely on old-fashioned labor. That’s why human resources is one of our top recommended degrees for 2020. Human resources managers have an eye toward development, which means they’re constantly seeking ways to grow their employees and improve their skillsets—and that makes them better equipped to deal with both talent management (filling positions within a company) and employee relations (managing current staff). Both of these vital skills are essential as technology continues to reshape every industry on Earth.
8) Marketing management
Although more than one million jobs were added in marketing, advertising and promotions management from 2012 to 2016 (according to data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics), there’s a lot of competition in these fields. If you don’t have a degree, try taking some marketing classes at your local community college. You could even start off as an unpaid intern or entry-level employee; there are plenty of paid internships with big companies that may lead to permanent employment if you do well.
7) Strategic management
Strategic management is an interdisciplinary sub-field of business studies that focuses on defining and achieving a company’s strategy in an environment often shaped by uncontrollable events. A successful strategy will create competitive advantage and build value over time. That makes strategic management as one of fastest growing disciplines in business study. The worldwide strategic management market alone is predicted to reach $14 billion by 2016, up from $10 billion in 2011, according to research firm MarketsandMarkets. It’s also a profession that comes with a hefty paycheck—the average salary of a Chief Strategic Officer is $152,000 per year according to BLS data.
9) International relations
The university courses of study in international relations provide you with a wealth of analytical skills and abilities which help you to solve problems in other countries. With an international relations degree, you can gain knowledge about global issues that range from human rights to government structure, world development and commercial economics. Businesses are becoming more conscious of these issues and are looking for employees who have advanced training in areas such as international relations; a recent survey by CareerBuilder found that employers want prospective employees to have studied business, computer science or engineering. Internships can help you further build your resume as well as give you hands-on experience within your field of study; The U.S.
10) Nursing
Unfortunately, nursing is one of those careers that is going to be more and more in demand. As health-care costs continue to rise and baby boomers hit retirement age, there will be an increased need for nurses across various areas. In addition, a study conducted by EducationDynamics found that jobs requiring at least an associate degree are projected to grow faster than any other sector between 2012 and 2022 (with a 15% increase). If you’re interested in an affordable degree program with job security, consider becoming a nurse. According to PayScale’s most recent nursing salary report, RNs make an average of $67K per year — not bad at all!