ArtsAutosBooksBusinessEducationEntertainmentFamilyFashionFoodGamesGenderHealthHolidaysHomeHubPagesPersonal FinancePetsPoliticsReligionSportsTechnologyTravel

The 5 Most Versatile Degree Programs of the Next Few Years

Updated on March 21, 2015
Source

As many recent college graduates will tell you, it's tough to find a decent job these days. But did you know that it may be your choice of major and not the economy that's potentially holding you back? It's a fact that many fields of long ago are disappearing to mass outsourcing and technological advancement. In addition to this, many degree program's today offer too narrow of a skill set to give the graduate any real choice about what job's they can get. It's sad to say that many recent graduates have regretfully realized that their choice of major has lead to a field of stiff competition and no decent job prospects. So if you're thinking about going off to college, but aren't sure what to major in, consider the versatility of the following degree programs.

Engineering

Having a bachelor's degree in one of the many disciplines of Engineering will likely open more doors for you than any other degree program will. Engineer's are needed in just about every industry that exists and is something that can be hard to outsource. In addition to this, an engineering degree can be paired with a business or judicial degree to create an even more sought after mix of credentials. Engineer's will find rewarding careers that also tend to pay very well. If you like to help people and have a strong interest in math, science, and technology, then an engineering degree may be for you.

Example Careers:

  • Aerospace Engineer: $62,000/yr
  • Automotive Engineer: $77,000/yr
  • Chemical Engineer: $65,000/yr
  • Construction Manager: $80,000/yr
  • Electrical Engineer: $63,000/yr
  • Energy Engineer: $85,000yr
  • Industrial Designer: $65,000/yr
  • Nuclear Engineer: $65,000/yr
  • Petroleum Engineer: $98,000/yr

Source

Computer Science

It's easy to see why a degree in computer science can be so versatile. We live in the information age where computers and the internet dominate our world. Computer scientists are needed to maintain this system as well as create the developments of the future. The demand for skills computer scientists and information technology specialists is growing, so if you are really passionate about computers, a degree in computer science may be for you.

Example Careers:

  • Business Analyst: $82,000/yr
  • Computer Programmer: $72,000/yr
  • Network Engineer: $84,000/yr
  • Network Administrator: $59,000/yr
  • Software Developer: $82,000/yr
  • Systems Administrator: $63,000/yr
  • Web Developer: $58,000/yr

Mathematics

I bet you didn't think that having a mathematics degree could be very useful did you? A skilled mathematician can work in many fields such as the insurance industry, market research, computer programming, and statistical analysis. Math majors are also needed to fill positions in the finance, biotech, and security industries. You could also decide to use this degree to further our knowledge of the world by supporting research scientists. If you need more reasons why a mathematics degree is a great career move, check out this article: http://www.topuniversities.com/student-info/careers-advice/what-can-you-do-mathematics-degree

Example Careers:

  • Accountant: $59,000/yr
  • Actuary: $88,000/yr
  • Economist: $83,000/yr
  • Market Research Analyst: $62,000/yr
  • Mathematician: $94,000/yr
  • Statistician: $72,000/yr

Criminal Justice

A criminal justice degree will help get your foot in the door to our justice system. When going for this degree you will combine knowledge from many fields including, law, psychology, and science. Graduates of this degree program will find themselves working in a variety of jobs sectors such as the court system, the prison system, law enforcement, crime scene investigation, and even the security industry. So if you like the idea of working as an integral part of the justice system, a degree in criminal justice may be for you.

Example Careers:

  • Correctional Officer: $56,000/yr
  • Crime Scene Investigator: $51,000/yr
  • Detective: $65,000/yr
  • FBI Agent: $114,000/yr
  • Fraud Investigator: $62,000/yr
  • Paralegal Assistant: $52,000/yr
  • Parole Officer: $46,000/yr
  • Police Officer: $61,000/yr
  • Security Specialist: $42,000/yr

Source

Graphic Design

Graphic designers will find career pathways in many different aspects of our world. Graphic designers are needed wherever something's success hinges upon its visual appeal. You will find jobs in many fields such as web design, product design, architecture, and even advertising. So if you have the creative knack for developing and design visually appealing products, then a degree in graphic design may be for you.

Example Careers:

  • Advertisement Designer: $48,000/yr
  • Architectural Drafter: $45,000/yr
  • Book Illustrator: $43,000/yr
  • Fashion Designer: $65,000/yr
  • Package Designer: $45,000/yr
  • Photographic Editor: $40,000/yr
  • Motion Picture Editor: $49,000/yr

working

This website uses cookies

As a user in the EEA, your approval is needed on a few things. To provide a better website experience, hubpages.com uses cookies (and other similar technologies) and may collect, process, and share personal data. Please choose which areas of our service you consent to our doing so.

For more information on managing or withdrawing consents and how we handle data, visit our Privacy Policy at: https://corp.maven.io/privacy-policy

Show Details
Necessary
HubPages Device IDThis is used to identify particular browsers or devices when the access the service, and is used for security reasons.
LoginThis is necessary to sign in to the HubPages Service.
Google RecaptchaThis is used to prevent bots and spam. (Privacy Policy)
AkismetThis is used to detect comment spam. (Privacy Policy)
HubPages Google AnalyticsThis is used to provide data on traffic to our website, all personally identifyable data is anonymized. (Privacy Policy)
HubPages Traffic PixelThis is used to collect data on traffic to articles and other pages on our site. Unless you are signed in to a HubPages account, all personally identifiable information is anonymized.
Amazon Web ServicesThis is a cloud services platform that we used to host our service. (Privacy Policy)
CloudflareThis is a cloud CDN service that we use to efficiently deliver files required for our service to operate such as javascript, cascading style sheets, images, and videos. (Privacy Policy)
Google Hosted LibrariesJavascript software libraries such as jQuery are loaded at endpoints on the googleapis.com or gstatic.com domains, for performance and efficiency reasons. (Privacy Policy)
Features
Google Custom SearchThis is feature allows you to search the site. (Privacy Policy)
Google MapsSome articles have Google Maps embedded in them. (Privacy Policy)
Google ChartsThis is used to display charts and graphs on articles and the author center. (Privacy Policy)
Google AdSense Host APIThis service allows you to sign up for or associate a Google AdSense account with HubPages, so that you can earn money from ads on your articles. No data is shared unless you engage with this feature. (Privacy Policy)
Google YouTubeSome articles have YouTube videos embedded in them. (Privacy Policy)
VimeoSome articles have Vimeo videos embedded in them. (Privacy Policy)
PaypalThis is used for a registered author who enrolls in the HubPages Earnings program and requests to be paid via PayPal. No data is shared with Paypal unless you engage with this feature. (Privacy Policy)
Facebook LoginYou can use this to streamline signing up for, or signing in to your Hubpages account. No data is shared with Facebook unless you engage with this feature. (Privacy Policy)
MavenThis supports the Maven widget and search functionality. (Privacy Policy)
Marketing
Google AdSenseThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
Google DoubleClickGoogle provides ad serving technology and runs an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
Index ExchangeThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
SovrnThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
Facebook AdsThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
Amazon Unified Ad MarketplaceThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
AppNexusThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
OpenxThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
Rubicon ProjectThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
TripleLiftThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
Say MediaWe partner with Say Media to deliver ad campaigns on our sites. (Privacy Policy)
Remarketing PixelsWe may use remarketing pixels from advertising networks such as Google AdWords, Bing Ads, and Facebook in order to advertise the HubPages Service to people that have visited our sites.
Conversion Tracking PixelsWe may use conversion tracking pixels from advertising networks such as Google AdWords, Bing Ads, and Facebook in order to identify when an advertisement has successfully resulted in the desired action, such as signing up for the HubPages Service or publishing an article on the HubPages Service.
Statistics
Author Google AnalyticsThis is used to provide traffic data and reports to the authors of articles on the HubPages Service. (Privacy Policy)
ComscoreComScore is a media measurement and analytics company providing marketing data and analytics to enterprises, media and advertising agencies, and publishers. Non-consent will result in ComScore only processing obfuscated personal data. (Privacy Policy)
Amazon Tracking PixelSome articles display amazon products as part of the Amazon Affiliate program, this pixel provides traffic statistics for those products (Privacy Policy)
ClickscoThis is a data management platform studying reader behavior (Privacy Policy)