Careerbuilder.com released a list of “Hot fields for hiring in 2011.” The list included possible jobs ranging from data communications analysts to medical scientists. Careerbuilder is not the only source where one can come across information like this. CNN, Huffington Post and even the Wall Street Journal frequently publish similar articles, outlining hot beds to find employment.
One thing they all seem to agree on is that an individual fresh out of college with a bachelor’s degree in literature or psychology will likely not qualify for the vast majority of decently paying, degree-required jobs out there. If you happen to be a student who has yet to declare a major, consult these sources and find a field where you have a prayer of finding a job. Otherwise, don’t come crying to mom, dad and or N.C. State when there appear to be no opportunities.
With a lagging economy, comes a harsh dose of realities. Companies that are hiring, in general, are hiring less than they were five years ago. This means that to find a job, one must be steadfast upon graduation—scouring possible places of employment with resumes and leaping to interviews at a moment’s notice.
If you prefer a less cut-throat career placement process and ultimately a better result, it’s time to rethink that international studies major where there would likely be 100 people competing for a single job. This is not to say students should give up something like international studies if they’re passionate about it. But too often someone whose studying a less employable major will say, “I am majoring in (insert impractical major here) because it seems like fun and I can’t think of anything better.”
If you are still relatively new to the college game and have yet to declare, think of it as a blessing. While you might not have immediate direction, at least you aren’t headed in the wrong direction. Speak with a career counselor at the Counseling Center and evaluate your personality internally. Consider factors such as the money you need a job to pay, your competitiveness, being employed right out of college, where you would like to live, etc.
Choosing a major isn’t always easy. If you chose the right one, you could find yourself on your way to prosperity after just four years at the university. Above everything else, it is critical to be practical in your decisions if your main focus is being employed and able to earn a living after obtaining your degree. Don’t become that guy who changed majors numerous times only to find himself with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy six years later with no further ambitions.
