Getting your bachelor’s degree can be one of the most fruitful investments that you can make in yourself—but you’ll get only as much as you input.
An official report by the US Census Bureau explains that over an adult’s working life:
high school graduates can expect, on average, to earn $1.2 million, and those with a bachelor’s degree, $2.1 million.
In other words, an undergraduate education opens up the opportunity to earn twice as much salary as you would with a high school diploma.
But, of course, it’s important to keep in mind that such average statistics are no guarantee.
One of the most important decisions that you will make is choosing your major.
Although your major will not necessarily determine your exact future job, failing to take your college major and courses seriously could end up doing you more harm than good. This can be an unnerving task for someone that is unsure about what he or she wants to ultimately do or become.
The good news is that part of the college experience is to help you figure out just that. General courses are sometimes a great way to help you decide your focus.
If you’re still not sure, consider the following 3 majors and some eclectic job possibilities that can follow.
1. Business Administration
Business is the most popular major among undergrad students. The business curriculum covers the variety of operations that make up a successful business, from human resources to sales to public relations.
In your business curriculum, you will learn the ins and outs of various business models as well as touch on every aspect of a successful business, from sales to public relations to accounting.
The best part about studying business is that you can learn how to turn hobbies/interests into a profitable business. Also, consider adding a master’s degree in your future plans, because, according to multiple studies,
Also, consider adding a master’s degree in your future plans, because, according to multiple studies, business manager is the number one job that pays off most as a result of a post-grad education.
- Event or Club Promoter: Courses like marketing and advertising in the business major directly facilitate an understanding of how to effectively populate an event.
- Fashion Designer/Boutique Owner: If you have a passion or eye for designing, learning about finance and revenue can help you figure out how to run your own fashion store or boutique.
- Real Estate Agent: Many business courses deal heavily with sales as analyzing market trends, which are highly impactful for selling houses and other properties.
- Human Resources (HR) Analyst: Business courses often focus on problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and analytical skills. These apply directly to HR professionals, whose primary responsibility is to ensure smooth function of internal operations.
2. English Literature/Language
Though English and language courses center on historical and contemporary literature, English courses are constantly demanding of analytical, research, comprehension, and written skills. These skills are necessary across industries and are often transferable to many different jobs.
Most importantly, English facilitates communications skills, which is vital to all professions that require any form of collaboration.
- Actor/Actress: Literature and theater often go hand in hand because performance plays are a major genre that English majors usually study in upper division courses. Successful actors and actresses who majored in English in college include John Cuszack and Renee Zellweger.
- Peace Corps Teacher: English courses are divided into regions and cultures as well, so you’ll expand your horizon while bettering your communication skills—both of which is crucial in becoming a teacher in rural countries abroad.
- Lawyer: English literature courses demand a high quantity of quality analytical writing, similar to the way in which lawyers are required to write high volumes of case briefs. English courses also center on comprehension, which is a necessary skill for lawyers who must deduce and break down complicated documents.
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Marketer: Much of SEO and improving website rankings involves a large quantity of quality written, informative content in order to improve credibility. So, practicing writing both large quantity and good quality content directly applies to SEO jobs.
3. Anthropology/Sociology
Anthropology and/or sociology deal heavily on people as a whole—touching on a wide range of aspects, from basic human biology to cultural origins across the world.
One major selling point about a major that deals with a large population is that the curriculum focuses on statistics and structure.
You’ll get a lot of exposure to a variety of fields that deal with having a strong comprehension on how to handle a diverse variety of people.
- Psychologist: Comprehensive knowledge about human behavior via anthropology or sociology classes is a great way to prepare for post-graduate and doctoral schooling. The curriculum involves some challenging theory courses, as well as social psychology classes.
- Researcher: Most upper division courses require lengthy research papers that force you to apply numerous theories to real-world situations. Learning about human behavior is a great preface to independently researching studies and theories as a researcher.
- Public Relations: Understanding people deals with understanding different styles and cultures. Many sociology and anthropology courses zero in on image as well—so this can be immensely beneficial to a public relations specialist who works to project a particular image for clients.
- Statistician: Coupling anthropology or sociology with statistic classes can prepare you well for a profession as a statistician, who helps create surveys and experiments especially regarding specific demographics. You’ll not only be able to analyze data but also predict and understand results.
Earning a higher education degree will empower you with the skills, knowledge, and credibility to improve your career and even overall lifestyle in the long run—however, it’s up to you as a student to get as much value out of your degree as possible.
Choose a major that fits well with your abilities and interests.
Though you won’t necessarily be able to pinpoint your future or ultimate job in the long run, all three majors help you practice key, transferrable skills that will help you succeed and open up more doors in the future.