Why should you go to college?
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You have a high school diploma and may be wondering if it is really necessary to attend college....if you look at earning comparisons between employees who have earned a college degree vs. those who enter the job market with only a high school diploma in hand the difference is clear. (These numbers are for employment in the United States only - you will have to look at information in your native country to see if the same statistics are true or not.)
Take a look at this graph:
"Hamilton Project research shows that 23- to 25-year-olds with bachelor’s degrees make $12,000 more than high school graduates but by age 50, the gap has grown to $46,500 (Figure 1)"
So is it worth the investment and time to attend college?
"Using average earnings for 18- and 19-year-olds and 20- and 21-year-olds with high school degrees (including those working part-time or not at all), Michael Greenstone and Adam Looney of Brookings’ Hamilton Project calculate an opportunity cost of $54,000 for a four-year degree. In this brief, we take a rather narrow view of the value of a college degree, focusing on the earnings premium. However, there are many non-monetary benefits of schooling which are harder to measure but no less important. Research suggests that additional education improves overall wellbeing by affecting things like job satisfaction, health, marriage, parenting, trust, and social interaction. Additionally, there are social benefits to education, such as reduced crime rates and higher political participation."(Source: http://www.brookings.edu/research/papers/2013/05/08-should-everyone-go-to-college-owen-sawhill)
What to major in?
Take a look at this article to find what degrees will lead you to a better chance of getting a job:
Want to earn a degree that could lead to career opportunities? Check out these six degrees with solid employment odds.
Want more data? According to "Hard Times," the unemployment rate for new grads in this field was 7.8 percent, and the report predicts that "computer majors are likely to bounce back strongly as the recovery proceeds."
Potential Career: Ever consider computer programming as a career? If so, you'll want to remember this: A good number of computer programmers have a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field, though some employers may consider candidates with an associate's degree.
Degree #4 - Bachelor's in Psychology
If you're intrigued by what makes people tick, and you enjoy helping others, one major to consider is psychology, which is in demand, say the studies.
In fact, within the field of psychology, you'll discover a broad range of specialties and topics, such as social psychology, cognitive psychology, neuroscience, personality, and research methods, according to the College Board.
Employment Odds: "Job Outlook 2012" reported psychology as the second most in-demand liberal arts major. That trend was also reflected in "Hard Times," with recent graduates in psychology showing a relatively low unemployment rate of 7.3 percent.
What gives for this unemployment rate? It could have something to do with the fact that nearly half of recent graduates work in the fields of health care and education, according to the "Hard Times" report, which also labeled these industries as either stable or growing.
Potential Career: If you're interested in a career in social work, this could be a great option for you. Why? Because the U.S. Department of Labor notes that most direct-service social workers are required to have a bachelor's degree in social work, or a related field like psychology or sociology.
Degree #5 - Bachelor's in Communications
If you love to research, write, and speak with other people, a communications degree could lead to career options in a wide range of industries for you.
Communications can cover everything from television production to the Internet, according to the College Board, which notes that commonly offered business communications classes might include public relations writing, media analysis and criticism, and public speaking.
Employment Odds: "Hard Times" reported that recent communications grads had a low unemployment rate of 7.3 percent.
This low figure could be in relation to the skills that could be acquired through a communications degree program, such as verbal communication, critical thinking, and research. The best part? Some of these skills are among the top attributes sought by employers, according to the "Job Outlook 2012" Report.
Potential Career: The U.S. Department of Labor notes that public relations specialists generally need a bachelor's degree, and that employers often want applicants who have studied communications, public relations, English, journalism, or business.
Degree #6 - Bachelor's in Engineering
If you're fascinated with how things work, whether it's a light bulb, auto part, or suspension bridge, you might find your calling studying engineering. And good news: Studies suggest that it's a degree that is popular with employers.
The courses you'll take will vary depending on the field of engineering you choose. For example, the College Board says that civil engineering majors often take typical courses in dynamics, environmental awareness for engineers, and thermodynamics.
Employment Odds: According to "Job Outlook 2012," engineering was the second most sought-after broad category major. And the "Hard Times" report reflects this, noting that new engineering grads experienced a low unemployment rate of 7.5 percent.
And with teamwork and problem solving skills important to employers, according to the NACE report, it's no wonder this degree is in demand. Especially since the College Board notes that as a civil engineering major, "you'll solve a problem with a group or compare ideas with other students after working a problem out on your own."
Potential Career: The U.S. Department of Labor notes that there are a variety of engineering careers out there, including biomedical, mechanical, civil, and more. And as you probably assume, education requirements differ depending on the field. For example, civil engineers need a "bachelor's degree in civil engineering or one of its specialties," says the Department of Labor.
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