| If you're a new or soon to be college student, it's | | | | candidates are often in short supply... meaning the |
| quite likely that you're having a hard time finding a | | | | average starting salaries need to be higher just to |
| major program. Good news - you aren't alone. Every | | | | compete. What Things Should I Look For When |
| year millions of U.S college students are faced with | | | | Choosing A Degree Program? |
| one of the most stressful decisions they'll have to | | | | Look for something you can be passionate about... to |
| make in their entire college career: what to major in. | | | | an extent. Many graduates get degrees in subjects |
| Although it's important to find a program that you're | | | | like sociology or a foreign language, and they're often |
| passionate about, this ezine article is about lucrative | | | | disappointed to find that they have a harder time |
| majors and finding degrees that pay well. | | | | finding a high paying entry level job than their fellow |
| What Makes Some Degrees Payback Students More | | | | alumni. Some things to consider: |
| Than Others? | | | | - Although teaching is not a notoriously high paying |
| There are several factors that determine this: | | | | career, the benefits are wonderful and it's an |
| - Supply and demand. This might be the most | | | | extremely important job. So even if you are set on a |
| important single factor. Simply put, career areas that | | | | degree in philosophy, you might consider going on to |
| have a shortage of qualified candidates are typically | | | | earn a teaching certificate or pursuing a Master's in |
| willing to pay more than areas that have a surplus of | | | | education. Find ways to make your degree work for |
| new graduates. | | | | you. |
| - Location of the job. Don't forget that many jobs | | | | - If you're unsure about a particular program, take an |
| require graduates to live in a certain geographical | | | | entry level elective course and feel it out. Or speak |
| area: for instance, Petroleum Engineering is rated as | | | | with a professor and ask what they think - chances |
| the highest paying major for 2010 (according to | | | | are they'd love to tell you! |
| Money Magazine), but students will need to live in an | | | | - Consider minors. Often they can be completed |
| area where these jobs are available like the gulf | | | | without too much additional work, and they'll increase |
| coast (the degree program seems to be regional as | | | | your employability greatly. Conclusion |
| well). | | | | There are many sites that offer a considerable |
| - Specialized degrees. Degrees that require more | | | | amount of information about degrees that pay well |
| specialized knowledge (like computer science or | | | | for students right out of school. Look around and |
| nursing for instance) mean that they're simply not as | | | | feel it out - and don't stress! Find something you're |
| easy for students to complete. Likewise, these | | | | passionate about and you'll head in the right direction. |