When the time comes to choose a major, many college students are torn between going with a subject they’re most interested in and choosing a field that will set them up for a plum job after graduation. The good news is that it’s often possible to do both.
In fact, 4 in 5 undergraduates choose a major that is connected to strong job prospects, according to a 2015 report by the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce. Here are eight hot areas you may want to consider.
Mechatronics engineering. Standing at the juncture between mechanical and electrical engineering, mechatronics is an interdisciplinary field that teaches students how to build and control mechanical devices like motors and robots and how to take sensor data and turn it into commands.
“Mechatronics is a huge growth area for modern technology, especially robotics and autonomous driving,” says Jonathan Rogers, an associate professor in the department at Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta who specializes in automation and mechatronics.
Purdue University in Indiana and Middle Tennessee State University are among what is for now a small handful of institutions offering a dedicated mechatronics major; most undergrads specializing in the field do so under the umbrella of mechanical engineering. They typically take courses in 3D modeling, dynamics and control systems.
In general, engineering grads have the highest average starting salary – roughly $66,500 – according to a 2018 survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers. Other engineering fields with strong earnings potential include petroleum engineering, mining and mineral engineering, and chemical engineering, according to the Georgetown report.
[Read: Pros, Cons of Applying to College as an Undecided Major.]
Business. Besides taking courses in accounting, finance, marketing, business law and management, business majors often work on team projects involving real-world case studies and participate in internships or hands-on experiences, including working with industry partners. It’s one of the most popular areas – and for good reason.
At the bachelor’s level, eight of the 10 top majors in demand by employers are in the business category, such as accounting or sales, according to NACE.
“We’ve seen a growth in new business practices, which involves managing more complicated work spaces and processes and juggling telecommuters and interconnectivity with global economies,” says Jeff Strohl, director of research at the Georgetown Center on Education and the Workforce.
International business and finance majors have the highest combination of midcareer median pay, at $112,200, and annual job growth, at 10 percent, according to PayScale, a compensation software and data company.
The reason: “More companies are going global, especially as it’s easier to do so through technology,” says Lydia Frank, vice president of content strategy at PayScale. “It’s important to have someone who can navigate the standard business practices and customs in different locations.”