Six Degrees that Employers Demand Most
Higher Education Articles November 13, 2012During graduation, all graduates who majored in business, English, history, and computer look alike in their caps and gowns, but where they distinguish themselves are their career market outlook. A 2010 study of one hundred human resource professionals by corporate consultants, Challenger, Gray & Christmas, revealed who were the most employable graduates. In this article, we will look at six degrees that recruiters demanded most according to the survey.
Health Care
The survey found that health care graduates topped the list of employable degree holders. More than twenty-five percent of the human resource professionals chose health care as the best program for those seeking job security with nurses identified as most likely to receive job offers within the category. Nursing attracts an average starting salary of $52,178 while a degree holder in health related sciences starting salary is $35,869.
Business Administration
Graduates with a business degree are highly employable according to the survey study, second only to health care graduates. A business degree is by far the most popular bachelor degree in the United States. Apart from business, the courses include specialization in business administration and business administration assistance. A degree in Business Administration attracts an average annual starting salary of $44,171.
Computer Science
Third in the employability list are computer science graduates. According to the survey findings, computers are essential to the economic growth. Computer graduates are not far behind in terms of importance in the job market growth and human resource managers who took part in the survey underscored this point. Apart from computer science, the graduate courses include specialization in technology support and information technology and systems. A computer science graduate is expected to earn an average annual salary of $61, 783 while a graduate in information sciences and systems starting annual salary is around $49,318.
Accounting/Finance
Graduates in accounting/financing were the fourth most likely to land a job as shown by the survey study. Any improvement in the economy is traditionally favorable to the career prospects of accounting/finance graduates, as shown by growth in employment on Wall Street that tends to pick up rapidly in a stable economy. An economic graduate average annual starting salary are around $53,453 while a finance graduate average annual earnings are around $50,535. The starting salary for an accounting graduate are estimated at $49,022.
Engineering
Engineering degree holders employability might seem small, but they are among the highest paid according to a study done by the National Association of Colleges and Employers. Engineering graduates can specialize in any of the following streams: programming and software, network engineering and administration, mechanical, electrical, civil and biomedical, among a host of other concentrations.
A degree holder in petroleum engineering can earn an average annual starting salary of $90,000 while a computer engineering graduate takes home around $59,298 annually, and a degree in mechanical engineering attracts a starting salary of $60,598.
Marketing
While there are a strong demand for marketing graduates, the broader appeal of a business administration degree ensures that the holder of the degree has the edge in terms of employment. A marketing graduate can earn an average annual salary of $41,948.
