Find a Job You Really Want In
The degree you choose to pursue can significantly impact your career trajectory, making it a crucial decision. For many college freshmen, the primary concern is the demand for their chosen major in the job market, rather than relying on puns.
Indeed, one of the top priorities for college freshmen today is ensuring that their program equips them for future employment. This isn’t just speculation; a 2021 survey indicated that a significant percentage of incoming students prioritize the employability of their college’s alumni after graduation.
So, how should you approach your choice?
That’s where Zippia comes in. We analyze this matter as thoroughly as you do, exploring everything from majors that lead to political careers to the “most eligible” majors for marriage. We even identify the toughest majors for job placement.
However, one of the most telling metrics is the demand for majors in online job postings, which research shows is one of the most effective resources for job seekers today.
While having a bachelor’s degree can often open doors, employers increasingly seek specific skills that vary by major. To provide clarity, we analyzed data from over 681,842 job postings to determine which degrees are the most sought after.
Below, we present the comprehensive list, starting with the top ten most in-demand majors.
How We Identified the Most In-Demand Majors
Our findings stem from a search of over 6 million entry-level job postings that specified a major or multiple majors, resulting in 681,842 quality listings.
We utilized an internal algorithm to standardize various titles into 324 majors, ensuring consistency and avoiding separate results for similar fields like Business, Business Management, and Business Administration.
While we recognize that many institutions offer specialized business degrees, we made a conscious choice to differentiate between related fields, such as Business Finance and Insurance.
What the Results Indicate
Some majors clearly dominate the job market.
The top ten majors account for 42 percent of demand, with the three most in-demand majors comprising 23 percent of all postings.
Fields like Public Relations, Journalism, and Marketing can be grouped into a strong category and have performed surprisingly well, alongside majors in Industrial Equipment Maintenance and Vehicle Repair.
While certain majors are predictably more sought after, the extent to which the top majors capture the online job market is noteworthy.
When we extend our analysis to the next forty majors, we find that the top fifty collectively represent 69 percent of the majors featured in online postings.
The Takeaway – Which Major Is Most In-Demand?
It’s essential to note that a lower frequency of employers seeking a particular major online does not inherently mean that jobs are unavailable. Many positions are filled through networking, internal referrals, and headhunting rather than online postings.
However, a higher frequency of job postings is indicative of greater job availability for those degrees. Studies from reputable organizations show a correlation between the volume of online job postings and higher employability rates within six months of graduation. The most employable majors include:
- 68 percent of Business Majors found employment — whether Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts.
- 59 percent of Communications Majors secured jobs within six months.
- 57 percent of Education Majors were employed.
So Who’s the Winner?
Given that a high percentage of major companies are actively hiring Business Majors, it’s clear that Business remains the most popular major among graduates.
In recent studies, Finance emerged as the most desirable major, with a strong demand indicating its strategic importance in the job market.
Pursue What Fascinates You
It’s crucial to follow your passion when selecting your field of study for what will hopefully be four transformative years. This decision shapes not only your career but also your identity during this pivotal time in your life.
Conversations with peers often begin with questions like: “Where are you from? What dorm are you in? What’s your major?” These inquiries serve as a gateway to building your network.
“My name is _____, and I’m a _____ major from _____” is essentially your first elevator pitch—and by the end of your first year, many students will reconsider their initial choice of major.
The editor for The Chronicle of Education emphasizes the importance of pursuing what you love, provided you do so with determination. Here are some tips:
- Seek Out Passionate Faculty Members
- Engage in In-Depth Research Projects
- Participate in Transformative Global Experiences
- Embrace Creativity. Take Risks. Learn from Failures.
Ultimately, do what you love, and success will follow. It becomes even more convenient if your passion aligns with studying business and finance.
Author
David Luther was the Content Marketing Editor for the Zippia Advice blog. He developed partnerships with external reporting agencies in addition to generating original research and reporting for the Zippia Career Advice blog. David obtained his BA from UNC Chapel Hill.
