Contrary to recent theories, no college degree is “worthless,” and a college education is valuable no matter what you major in. Unfortunately, many college students view school as a means to an end. They enter the world of higher education with a mind-set only of landing a lucrative career and being financially secure, but experts believe this mentality ultimately fails students who could otherwise take the pivotal college years to learn, grow, and apply what they have learned in the real world. Having a money-oriented attitude through college not only sets millennials up for disappointment when they enter the workforce and creates a selfish desire for success at the expense of others who are less privileged.
Anyone can get good grades. Not everyone can shake the competitive mind-set once they graduate and enter the real world, where compassion, adaptability, and creativity are more likely to lead to a positive reputation in a company. If you are like many members of the forward-thinking new group of college students known as Generation Z, you probably watched your older siblings in the millennial cohort get burned by student loan debt and high rates of unemployment. If you are afraid of how you can succeed in school and change the world, here are three degrees you can obtain that might help you get on the fast track.
Finance and Economics
With the country still recovering from the Great Recession and most of the world’s wealth now in the hands of the elite, many people are concerned what the future holds for the 99 percent. A background in finance and a clear understanding of how economics works is a valuable asset that provides a potential game-changer with the background necessary to create true and meaningful altruistic change.
Money is not the root of all evil, but in the hands of the wrong people it certainly can seem that way. The world belongs to the young, and most of today’s college students are passionate about creating a better world for their generation and the next. Rather than fearing money, financiers with noble goals can utilize the knowledge gained from this degree lay the groundwork for a more equitable future.
Allied Health
Do you want to work in health care but don’t want to go to medical school? Recent facts about colon cancer indicate the great need for empathetic individuals with a background in allied health. Many areas of the medical field are occupied by these types of people. Doctors make up only one part of a very large structure that works to provide health care in the United States. Examples of allied health science jobs include medical technologists, dental hygienists, pathologists, physical therapists, and radiographers.
These types of careers are perfect for students who can’t rationalize eight years of schooling or who are eager to start getting hands-on experience in a rewarding career that combines altruism and medical technology. Plenty of allied health degree programs can help them move swiftly from the classroom to a well-paying job.
Computer Science
Computer science programs are becoming some of the most popular among young people hoping to secure gainful employment and a wealth of knowledge about a timely subject. Computer science grads stand on the forefront of a brave new world in which their knowledge will be useful in most areas of life. We all use computers, but only those with a background in programming have learned the type of specialist skills that are attractive to employers.
Job prospects are good, there is little competition, and the Silicon Valley tech community is moving in a progressive direction. Careers in computer science are challenging intellectually and tend to be highly lucrative. Software developers typically make $106,000 per year. Computer science allows students to wield immense power over their own futures and the future of the world at large.