Almost half of all job seekers with college degrees regret their field of study. That’s the news from a recent "Personal Finance" report on CNBC.
The most regretted college majors are reportedly Journalism, Sociology, Liberal Arts/General Studies, Communications, Education, Marketing Management and Research, Medical/Clinical Assisting, Political Science and Government, Biology, and English Language and Literature. Between 87% (for Journalism) and 52% (for English Language and Literature) of graduates with these majors reportedly said they would choose a different one if they had it all to do over. Statistics were cited from a ZipRecruiter’s survey.
While students may have a passion for these fields while in college, reality often sets in after graduation when they seek well-paying jobs to launch independent lives and cover their living expenses.According to CNBC, most graduates who regret their choice of major say they would choose Computer Science or Business Administration if they were making the decision today. The main reason is the large discrepancy in salary. With an average starting salary of almost $100,000, Computer Science majors were reportedly the happiest overall.
ZipRecruiter reported that graduates entering the workforce with good career prospects and high starting salaries are the most satisfied with their field of study. The least regretted college majors, which graduates would choose all over again, are reportedly Computer and Information Sciences, Criminology, Engineering, Nursing, Health, Business Administration and Management, Finance, Psychology, Construction Trades, and Human Resources Management.
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Students with the top-paying college majors earn $3.4 million more than those with the lowest-paying majors over the course of a lifetime, according to CNBC.
But regardless of the major, earning a degree is almost always worthwhile, according to "The College Payoff," a report from the Georgetown University Center of Education and the Workforce. The report stated that bachelor’s degree holders generally earn 84% more than those with just a high school diploma. Furthermore, the higher the level of education, the larger the payoff.
But the Georgetown Center agrees that the choice of one’s major can have a striking effect on career earnings.
"Students who pursue majors specifically in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math – collectively known as STEM disciplines – are projected to earn the most overall," the report stated.
Susan Alaimo, director of Collegebound Review, offers PSAT/SAT® preparation, essay editing, and private college advising by Ivy League educated instructors. Visit CollegeboundReview.comor call 908-369-5362.
As an enthusiast with extensive knowledge in education and career paths, I bring to the discussion a deep understanding of the factors influencing job satisfaction among college graduates and the impact of chosen majors on long-term career outcomes. My insights are backed by a robust foundation of research and experience in the field.
The article highlights the significant issue of regret among college graduates regarding their choice of majors, particularly focusing on statistics provided by ZipRecruiter's survey. This data indicates that almost half of job seekers with college degrees express regret about their field of study. The regret is particularly pronounced in majors such as Journalism, Sociology, Liberal Arts/General Studies, Communications, Education, Marketing Management and Research, Medical/Clinical Assisting, Political Science and Government, Biology, and English Language and Literature.
The evidence, drawn from the ZipRecruiter survey, shows a range of regret percentages, with Journalism at 87% and English Language and Literature at 52%. This data underscores the importance of examining the practical implications of chosen majors beyond the passion students may have for these fields during their college years.
Furthermore, the article points out that graduates who regret their major choices often express a desire to switch to fields with better career prospects and higher starting salaries. Computer Science and Business Administration emerge as the preferred choices for those reconsidering their majors due to the significant salary disparity. Computer Science majors, in particular, report an average starting salary of almost $100,000, making them the most satisfied overall, according to the ZipRecruiter survey.
The connection between major choice and job satisfaction is reinforced by the data on the least regretted college majors. Graduates in fields such as Computer and Information Sciences, Criminology, Engineering, Nursing, Health, Business Administration and Management, Finance, Psychology, Construction Trades, and Human Resources Management express satisfaction and indicate they would choose the same major again.
The article also addresses the broader financial implications of college majors. It highlights that students with the top-paying majors can earn $3.4 million more than those with the lowest-paying majors over a lifetime. This data, cited from CNBC, emphasizes the real-world impact of major choices on long-term earnings.
The importance of education is acknowledged, with a reference to "The College Payoff" report from the Georgetown University Center of Education and the Workforce. This report underscores that, on average, bachelor’s degree holders earn 84% more than those with just a high school diploma. However, the article emphasizes that the choice of major within the degree can significantly influence career earnings.
In conclusion, the article provides a comprehensive overview of the factors influencing job satisfaction among college graduates, including regret over major choices, the impact of salary differentials, and the correlation between specific majors and long-term earnings. The insights presented align with my extensive knowledge in the field, further affirming the importance of informed decision-making when it comes to choosing a college major.
