Colleges and Careers Guide: Choosing Your Path to Success

Choosing a college and a career path are significant decisions that require careful consideration. This comprehensive guide provides information about various college majors, potential career paths, and strategies for making informed choices that align with your interests, strengths, and goals.

Understanding College Majors

A college major is a focused area of study that allows you to develop in-depth knowledge and skills in a specific field. Selecting the right major is crucial as it can significantly impact your future career opportunities and earning potential.

Identifying Your Interests and Strengths

Before diving into specific majors, take some time to reflect on your interests, passions, aptitudes, and strengths. Consider the following questions:

Interests and passions: What do you love and care about? How do you spend your free time?
Aptitudes and strengths: What are you good at? Are you an excellent problem solver, writer, or public speaker?
Career goals and prospects: What do you want to accomplish in your professional career, and how might a college degree help you achieve that? Do your goals align with the demands of the job market?

Exploring Common College Majors

Colleges offer a wide array of majors, each with its unique focus and career prospects. Here's an overview of some common categories:

STEM Majors

The science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields offer a plethora of in-demand and potentially high-paying jobs. Students with an aptitude and interest in math and science might consider one of these majors, which include:

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Computer Science
Engineering (various disciplines, such as mechanical, electrical, and civil)
Mathematics
Statistics
Biology
Chemistry
Physics

Social Sciences and Humanities Majors

These majors delve into the study of human behavior, society, culture, and history. While you'll likely take some introductory courses in these areas regardless of your major, students who choose to specialize in them gain a deeper understanding of their chosen field. Social sciences and humanities majors include:

Psychology
Sociology
Political Science
History
English
Philosophy
Anthropology
Archaeology

Business and Economics Majors

Business is a popular undergraduate major, offering a broad range of courses on related topics. Some majors, like accounting, are tailored toward a specific career, while others, like a general business degree, provide a broader scope of the subject area. Business and economics majors include:

Business Administration
Accounting
Finance
Marketing
Economics
Management

Arts and Communication Majors

These majors focus on developing skills in storytelling, communication, and creative expression. While they may not lead to the highest-paying jobs, they offer opportunities to make a meaningful impact through education and entertainment. Arts and communication majors include:

Journalism
Communications
Graphic Design
Fine Arts
Performing Arts
Film Studies

Health and Medical Majors

Jobs in the health care field are consistently in demand. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), jobs like physical therapist, registered nurse, and pharmacist are projected to grow at an average rate or higher. Some roles require further schooling, such as medical school, while others can be obtained with a bachelor's degree. Health and medical majors include:

Nursing
Pre-Med
Biology (with a focus on pre-med)
Health Sciences
Public Health

Education Majors

Students who have a passion for learning and desire to foster that same trait in others may consider an education major. Whether they plan to teach at a specific grade level or in a particular subject area, or they hope to become a principal or superintendent, students who choose an education major learn how to effectively instruct others. Education majors include:

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Elementary Education
Secondary Education
Special Education

Exploring Niche and Emerging Majors

In addition to traditional majors, colleges are increasingly offering niche and emerging majors that reflect evolving societal needs and interests. These degrees may not be offered by as many schools, so prospective students should keep this in mind as part of their college search. Examples include:

Data Science
Environmental Science
Sustainability Studies
Game Design
Cybersecurity

Career Paths and Opportunities

Your choice of major significantly influences your career path after graduation. Employers often seek candidates with specific degrees and relevant experience.

The Importance of Internships and Portfolios

A company looking to hire a graphic designer is more likely to be interested in a candidate who has a degree in graphic design and built a portfolio of design projects while in school than it is in someone who majored in an unrelated field.

Planning for Graduate School

For careers that require a master's, doctorate, or professional degree, undergraduates should plan ahead as much as possible. Some graduate programs may only consider applicants who meet minimum GPA requirements, have a bachelor's degree in a related field, or completed relevant coursework in undergrad. Students who know they want to apply for dental school, for example, should look at the prerequisites for dental programs and make sure their major and the courses they take while earning their bachelor's degree is in line with those requirements.

Other students may want to enter the workforce after graduation and apply for graduate school after gaining a few years of relevant professional experience. Master's in Business Administration programs tend to prefer applicants who have real-world experience, for instance.

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Salary Expectations

A student's college major can ultimately affect how much money they make in the future. For example, while both elementary school teachers and information security analysts can obtain their jobs with a bachelor's degree, their mean annual salaries are dramatically different. Elementary school teachers make an average of $68,000 per year, while information security analysts, who typically have a degree in computer science or a related field, make $119,860 per year on average, according to the BLS.

Highest-Paying College Majors

Students who major in the STEM fields tend to see some of the highest starting salaries in the workforce. Those who major in engineering or computer science might see a particularly good return on their investment. According to the BLS, computer hardware engineers made an average salary of $140,830, while computer network architects made an average of $129,490 and aerospace engineers made an average salary of $127,090. Some employers may prefer employees in these roles to have a master's degree, while others may hire bachelor's degree-holders.

Health care professionals like surgeons, emergency medicine physicians, and anesthesiologists also have high salaries, but these jobs require years of postgraduate education.

Lowest-Paying College Majors

While undergraduate students may pay similar tuition rates regardless of their major, the resulting payoff isn't always the same. Majors in the arts and humanities tend to lead to lower-paying jobs than some roles STEM majors can obtain. According to the BLS, graphic designers made an average of $64,500. Archaeologists and anthropologists, many of whom need a master's or doctoral degree to advance their careers, made an average annual salary of $68,310, according to the BLS.

Despite the gap in pay between majors, a college degree generally can pay off in the long run. According to a Georgetown University study, bachelor's degree holders earn 31% more than associate's degree holders and 84% more than people whose highest level of education is a high school diploma.

Strategies for Choosing a College Major

Choosing a college major requires careful consideration of your interests, talents, career goals, and potential future earnings. Here are some strategies to help you make an informed decision:

Meet with a guidance or career counselor at your school: Counselors can provide valuable insights and resources to help you explore your options.
Learn about programs at your preferred colleges and universities: Research the specific majors offered at your target schools and their curriculum.
Job shadow or conduct informational interviews: Gain firsthand experience and insights by observing professionals in fields that interest you.
Talk to current college students: Ask students about their experiences in different majors and the coursework involved.

Flexibility and Adaptability in Choosing a Major

While choosing a college major is a big decision, it's not uncommon for students to change majors at some point during their undergraduate career.

Switching Majors

Switching majors doesn't come without risk â you may find yourself taking extra classes to meet the degree requirements for your new major, which can lead to you spending more time and money than it would have cost to follow one degree track from the beginning of your time in college.

Many colleges and universities don't require students to declare a major until their sophomore year, or until they have completed a certain number of credit hours. So if you're undecided at the start of your college journey, register for required core classes and take advantage of campus resources and elective courses that can help you find the right major.

Concentrations, Double Majors, and Minors

Some majors allow students to specialize further by choosing a concentration within their major based on what they intend for their career path. Concentrations vary by institution, but for example, students majoring in sports management might be able to specialize in topics like sports business, analytics, marketing or administration, depending on what area of sports management they want to work in.

Some students find that declaring a double major might help them reach their career goals. Students who double major still only earn one degree â and therefore can still complete their bachelor's degree in four years â but double majoring means they've earned enough credits in two (often related) subject areas for both to be considered a major.

In addition to a major, students commonly declare a minor, a secondary subject area in which to focus. A minor can complement your studies without requiring as many courses in a specialty area as a major. Your chosen minor might not be directly related to your major, but it could help equip you for reaching your career goals. For example, a journalism major who ultimately wants to cover politics may minor in political science, and a fine arts major who hopes to open their own studio someday might choose to minor in business or education.

Interdisciplinary Studies

Even with all these options, students aren't necessarily limited to specific majors offered at their chosen college or university. Many schools offer an interdisciplinary studies major, or custom study path that incorporates coursework from multiple subject areas to align with a student's career goals. Students who are interested in interdisciplinary studies or a custom degree should meet with their academic adviser and learn their school's process for assembling a custom program of study.

Majors in High Demand

While majors like business have remained consistently popular over the years, others have seen higher or lower enrollment rates depending on the needs of the ever-evolving workforce. Students who major in a STEM or health care field can expect their skills and expertise to be in demand: Among the 10 jobs from which the BLS expects to see the fastest growth by 2032 are nurse practitioners, data scientists, information security analysts, medical and health services managers, physician assistants and software developers. While nurse practitioners and physician assistants typically need a master's degree, these other roles typically require only a bachelor's degree.

The World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2023, which examines how jobs might evolve over a five-year period, states that the fastest-growing occupations relative to their size include roles in technology like artificial intelligence and machine learning specialists, as well as sustainability, like renewable energy engineers.

Tools and Resources

Numerous tools and resources are available to help you explore your interests, assess your skills, and discover potential career paths.

Self-assessment tools: These tools can help you refine your searches, clarify your goals, and discover the best path to achieve them.
NCcareers Newsletter: Get updates, pro tips, resources, and more!
New Webinar Series: Get to know NCcareers!
Explore Occupations: Research various occupations and their growth potential.
Further Education: Explore opportunities for further education and training.
Change Careers: Resources for those looking to switch career paths.
Remove Barriers: Assistance for overcoming barriers to employment.
Prepare for Work: Tips and resources for preparing for the workforce.
Career And College Promise: Get a jumpstart on earning college credit, tuition-free while still in High School.
NC 4-Year Colleges: Check out the numerous programs and opportunities to lower your education costs at NCâs public and independent four-year colleges and universities.
Department of Public Instruction: Career Development Coordinators (CDCs) in Career and Technical Education (CTE) and School Counselors in Student Services can help Middle and High School students explore careers.
NC Community Colleges: NC's 58 Community Colleges do more than just offer dozens of different 2-year degrees. A short-term skill and job training certificate can help you advance your career.
CFNC: Thinking of going back to school - or for the 1st time? Want a degree - or just some new skills? Learn about all the opportunities in NC for Adult Learners.
NCWorks: You don't have to be in school to receive help from a professional career adviser. Coaches in the state's NCWorks Career Centers are here to help adults & youth find jobs & education / training options.
NCWorks NextGen: NextGen is a comprehensive education, training, & employment program for young adults ages 16-24 facing barriers to employment. The program can help you plan, prepare, & launch a career in a high demand field.
Health & Human Services: North Carolina's Vocational Rehabilitation programs help people with disabilities achieve their goals for employment and independence by connecting to services and resources.
NCWorks: Finding a job with a criminal record can be difficult. NCWorks Career Center counselors specialize in helping individuals with criminal records find employment.
NC Navigator: Find opportunities to connect with businesses while you're still in high school - internships, apprenticeships, job shadowing, interviews. Navigate real-world learning for real-life success.
Apprenticeship NC: Apprenticeships allow you to get paid an increasing wage as you gain classroom credit. Graduate with a professional certification or two-year college degree debt-free.
Job & Career Tips: From your job search to your resume to your interview, a lot of preparation is needed to stand out & get hired.

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