Top Careers For College Students To Consider

In fact, it is understood that those with at least a bachelor’s degree enjoy higher salries (Highest Paying, 2001). While attending college does present individuals with the opportunity to earn more money, it is also important that they chose the right major in college, so they have the skills to be competitive in an unstable job market.
Certain college majors, such as fine arts and women’s studies, for example, may not provide students with the education they need to find a job in a struggling economy. However, certain fields are showing promise, and by making the right choices when deciding on a college major, students can set themselves up for a successful future.
Fields With the Greatest Number of Employment Opportunities
Recent studies have suggested that the following job fields will experience growth and demand for workers, despite the state of the economy: healthcare, education, and technology (Rauf, 2008). College students would be wise to conduct personal research regarding jobs in these fields, and find an area that is of interest to them. Each field offers a diverse group of potential jobs.
Careers in Healthcare
Even in a recession, healthcare services are still in demand, and the field offers a range of jobs that require varying levels of education and interests.
If a student wishes to pursue only 2 years of education and obtain an associate’s degree, the field of medical assisting may be a viable option. Employees in the field assist in the day-to-day operations of medical practices, clinics, and hospitals, and perform of variety of tasks, including taking patients’ vital signs, recording medical histories, and preparing patients for examinations. The median annual salary for medical assistants is $28,429 (Salary Wizard, 2009).
Students who commit to obtaining a bachelor’s degree enjoy an even wider variety of career paths from which to choose. A popular option is the field of nursing, which is currently one of the fastest growing occupations in the country (Large occupations, 2009).
Registered nurses earn a median annual salary of $62,450 (Largest occupations, 2009), and provide treatment to patients in a healthcare setting. They perform a variety of tasks, including administering medication, collaborating with doctors and other professionals to plan treatment, and educating patients about treatment procedures and preventative measures.
The highest-paying jobs in the field of healthcare are obviously found in the areas requiring the most education. The field of pharmacy is increasingly presenting demand for new workers, and while 8 years of schooling and a Doctorate of Pharmacy are necessary to be employed as a pharmacist, the financial payoff is worth the time and effort.
Pharmacists earn a median salary of $106, 410 a year, and the highest-paid pharmacists can earn in excess of $131,000 a year (Occupational Outlook, Pharmacists, 2009). These professionals are responsible for dispensing medicine, informing patients of possible side effects, ensuring that patients will experience no dangerous interactions if taking more than one medication, and collaborating with doctors to provide a treatment plan that is most beneficial to the patient.
Technology Careers
In an age of advanced technological development, it is no surprise that jobs are opening up in the field of technology. Perhaps one of the most popular areas in the technology field is computer software engineering. Computer software engineers design software and test its functionality, and they enjoy median yearly earnings of $74,980 (Crosby & Moncarz, 2006).
In addition to computer software engineering, information systems management has become a popular area in the technology field. Information systems managers oversee the technological operations of their organizations, often supervising and directing the work of the other technology professionals with whom they work. They help their organizations to use technology to create and reach goals, and they oversee software design and internet use and security. The median salary in this field is $112,210 a year (Occupational Outlook, Computer and Information Systems Managers, 2009).
Both software engineering and information systems management jobs require at least a bachelor’s degree, but a master’s degree is required for some jobs and will lead to better job prospects and increased earnings.
Careers in Education
College instructors are among the highest-paid professionals in the area of teaching, and they enjoy median yearly earnings of $51,800 (Crosby & Moncarz, 2006). Typically, at least a master’s degree is required to teach college courses, but many universities require a PhD for more advanced teaching positions.
Education administration is also a growing field. School administrators, such as principals and athletic directors, earn a median annual salary of $83,880 (Occupational Outlook, Education Administrators, 2009). These professionals typically hold at least a master’s degree and have extensive experience in the field of education. Some may even hold doctoral degrees.
With a wide variety of positions available in the fields of healthcare, technology, and education, college students should be able to follow a career path that suits both their needs and interests. While the job market may not be as strong as it has been in the past, students can rest assured that there are high-paying jobs available; they simply need to make wise decisions when choosing a major/specialization in college.

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