The National Association of Colleges and Employers has just released its 2011 Job Outlook. The most interesting part of the study to me was the list of the most in-demand bachelor’s degrees in today’s economy. This list is compiled by polling employers and having them forecast their hiring intentions.
The number one bachelor’s degree comes as no surprise, accounting. It is an extremely versatile degree, enabling you to work in any industry, so obtaining a minor in another industry specific subject might increase your chances in that particular industry. According to an article that Yahoo! Education wrote on the new survey, some in-demand career prospects for this degree are things like loan officer, accountant, or budget analysis.
Finance comes in second, again, and has great versatility in the market in which you could work. Yahoo! Education lists related careers as financial analyst, personal financial adviser, or actuary. With a degree in finance or a degree in accounting, you might have a better chance of working for yourself; starting up a small business that in time could grow with the right mix of luck, leadership and hard work.
The next most in-demand major, engineering, isn’t as simple. Electrical engineering majors are poised to find the greatest success in the job market, according to Yahoo! Education and the NACE survey, followed closely by the mechanical engineering graduates. The career breakdown is pretty straight forward: mechanical engineers, civil engineers, and electrical engineers.
Following the trend of science and math based area of study, Computer Science, should come as no surprise. With the way society is moving, with more and more relying on computers, this is the perfect way to keep yourself relevant. Not only does this have great bearing in the business world, but also in the way we choose to spend our free time. You can work in either sector with a degree related to computer science. Some related careers are things like computer support specialists, network systems administrators, and computer scientists.
The fifth in-demand degree bucks the trend toward very technical degrees with business administration. This is probably one of the most versatile areas of education, because training usually includes classes in business, finance, communications, or whatever you might want to try. You can work in large companies, or just a small start-up. Some related careers are public relations specialists, marketing specialists, or operations research analysts.
Did you major in one of these degrees? How are you finding your job search? Let me know how things are going!
