When it comes to choosing a degree, many students usually face the options of choosing a course they are most interested in and a course that would guarantee them a lucrative job after graduation. The good news there is that it is quite possible to do both.
Why do you Need a Degree?
A degree is not just all about the certificate, it also entails that you can stay committed to the job and work through years around the subject matter to become more knowledgeable in a topic. It is also a proof to your employers that you have transferable skills which can enable you scale through in your workplace. These skills include problem solving, time management, leadership, communication, critical thinking and independence.
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For some professionals, it is important you obtain a degree to be able to understand the job better. For others, applicants may be accepted without a degree and still do perfectly well in their job positions. These applicants may just need to undergo some training in order to understand the job specifications better. Nevertheless, it is necessary to have a degree as this could help you to secure a better paying job and have more options for career advancement.
Where to Earn Your Degree
There are so many possible options to where to earn your degree. There are numerous online and traditional on-campus universities and colleges where degrees can be obtained. For you to obtain a degree, you need to understand the kind of educational setting that best works for you, whether online or on-campus. Whichever way, assess the pros and cons of both options and decide what you want.
After graduation, you are qualified to enter the workplace and select the job that best suits your career choice.
What Degrees can Guarantee you a Job in the USA?
It is very possible to find some promising jobs without a college degree in the USA; however, most of the future trending jobs require you to have at least a bachelor’s degree just to oil your way through the beginning of your career. Those jobs with the fattest paychecks mostly require degrees. In short, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, it is typical of a worker with a bachelor’s degree to earn 80% more than another with just a high school certificate or other diplomas.
Nevertheless, you need to understand that not all college degrees are created equal. To understand which degrees typically come with the best job prospects and pay, we have been able to collate data from various schools for you. We looked for courses of study that tend to lead to big paychecks—both upon graduation and as you grow along your career path. Degrees that are in high demand based on recent online job postings as well as long-term growth expectations for related jobs are also considered. According to a 2015 report by Georgetown University Center on Education and Workforce, four out of every five undergraduate choose a degree that is strongly connected to job prospects. We have compiled a list of ten degree courses you might want to consider that would guarantee you a job in the USA.
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- Mechatronics engineering
Mechatronics engineering is a merger of two engineering fields – mechanical and electrical engineering. It is an interdisciplinary field that focuses on how to construct and control mechanical devices as well as take sensor data and turn it into commands. Both Purdue University in Indiana and Middle Tennessee State University are among a few of the universities offering mechatronics under the field of mechanical engineering. 3D modeling, dynamics and control system are typical courses taken under mechatronics.
- Computer Science
Computer science is no longer a course that focuses only on computer programming. Now, the course has moved to create everything technology you can think of, from educational tools to even complicated issues like manufacturing driverless vehicles and other advances in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.
It is quite obvious that the future is about developing new products that are digitally driven. Studying computer science is a way of creating a lasting imprint in the future. The influence of computer science is felt in other fields, from arts to politics to healthcare.
Jobs in computer science are expected to grow nearly as fast as the average for other careers, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Business
Business as a degree course focuses on teamwork and real-life case scenarios where interns are taught hands-on experiences and work with others on team projects. It is one of the top ten most popular courses that are in a hot chase by employers.
International business experiences an annual growth of 10% with a median pay of $112 200 per annum, as recorded by PayScale, a compensation software and data company. According to Lydia Frank, the vice president of content strategy at PayScale, it is very necessary to have a professional who has the ability to navigate the standard business practices as well as customs in different locations. This is because most firms and industries are going global and technology is the medium for achieving this great feat.
- Pharmaceutical Sciences
One thing about people is that they like to talk to their pharmacists. This goes on to say that pharmacists are taught both the technical and the relationship aspects of their job. A pharmacist could take on such technical positions in the area of production, sales, or researcher in pharmacy. For the entry-level position, you can take up the role of pharmacy assistant or technician or as a sales personnel for drug companies.
All you need to gain an admission is a major in math and sciences and progress to do advanced work in drug design, mechanism of drug action, toxicology, quality assurance, regulatory compliance and more.
The median annual salary for those who major in pharmacy and pharmacy related courses is $113 per annum.
- Education
There has been a global demand for teachers and this simply means that there is a shortage of teachers across the globe. Teachers play major roles in changing the educational concepts and getting the next generation prepared for success. In the USA, a bachelor’s degree is a good starting point to become a teacher. It will also be beneficial to you to pursue for higher degrees, especially, master’s degree. This will place you on a more strategic edge over other educationists. Making a difference as a teacher is a priceless reward.
- Psychology
Becoming a psychologist could be a decision you would need to make a difference in your career. Getting a degree in psychology opens a door to many numerous opportunities in different fields like schools and hospitals. You can work as a therapist or counselor; you can also choose to leverage the educational world and go into teaching and researching. However, this might require you to obtain a master’s degree in psychology. Of late, there is a focus on the well being and mental health of people. This has led to an increased demand for psychologists in the US and all over the world.
- Data Science
The world is currently run by data. There is a rise in the number of positions for data and analytics experts in the US. This is expected to increase by 364 000 according to a 2017 study by Burning Glass Technologies, a labor market analytics company.
Experts in data science are at the forefront of predictive analytics, helping big companies like Google to improve the functionality of their search engines. They are also found in the healthcare industries, helping to improve the quality of healthcare and medical treatments administered to patients with regard to specific data points.
That is not all about data science. Data scientists are found in the credit card industry where they play a key role in risk assessment. They also ensure proper allocation and optimization of resources in environmental science and public policy. Only a few universities study data science and they include the University of California, Irvine, the University of Rochester in New York, Denison University in Ohio and Pennsylvania State University.
- Nursing
According to the Bureau for Labor Statistics, the nursing sector is projected to include above 64 000 jobs between 2016 and 2026. Also, it is expected to rise by 31% within this period. Nursing is one of the few jobs that are not declining in value due to the emergence of technological innovation. More so, the nursing department takes courses in pharmacology, biostatistics, pathophysiology, chronic health assessment health promotion. The students take part in clinical rotations and having to work with real patients in the company of professors and physicians or other health professionals. Some universities offering nursing in the US include the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Emory University, the University of Atlanta, and so on.
- Cognitive Science
Cognitive science is an interdisciplinary field that combines elements of psychology, neuroscience and linguistics. This is to say that it is the study of the mind, its processes and the nature of intelligence. Cognitive science entails people thinking in both mental and neural terms. People are trained on how to think critically and constructively engage in problem-solving. Graduates of cognitive science are also found in healthcare settings, performing administrative tasks or coordinating research in laboratories. Neuropsychological testing centers, marketing and technology industries are not left out of the career of cognitive scientists.
Only a handful of universities offer the course and they are Tufts University in Massachusetts, the University of California, Berkeley, the University of California, San Diego, Rice University in Houston and the University of Pennsylvania.
- Human Resources (HR)
Human resources are professionals who engage in hiring, training and other employee relations roles for organizations. Data has added tremendously to the progress of human resources. People analytics are used to drive human resource decisions. Through human resources as well, employee assistance programs offered by employers are expanded.
The coursework for HR undergraduates includes organizational behavior, applied social psychology, labor relations, talent management, business fundamentals and employment law. The coursework is utilized across industries, sectors and locations.
When choosing the field you want to earn your degree in, you need to understand the careers that are available in that field. Understand the fields that are also experiencing higher growth and offer the most opportunities upon graduation. Do not forget that curiosity and genuine passion will help you to make a good choice for your degree program.
