Common College Majors in 2022: Trends, Challenges, and Future Outlook
The academic world is ever-evolving, and student preferences and career demands shape the most popular college and university majors. Despite a plethora of studies and options available, choosing the right major is not just about personal interest but also about future job market trends and employability. In this article, we will explore the most common majors in 2022, the challenges faced by graduates from these fields, and the future outlook for these careers.
The Most Common Majors
According to data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), business and medical sciences occupy the top positions in terms of popularity. These trends are consistent across the board and show no signs of waning.
Business: The Business Administration and Management (BBA) is still one of the most popular majors. However, graduates from this field are often faced with a saturated job market, making it difficult to find decent-paying jobs. This saturation often leads to increased competition, especially for entry-level positions, which can further exacerbate the challenges.
Medical Sciences: The healthcare industry continues to grow, leading to a high demand for professionals in medical sciences. Fields such as healthcare administration, nursing, and healthcare informatics are particularly popular. However, the glut in these areas can also lead to similar job market challenges as seen in business majors.
The Dilemma of Popular Majors
While it might seem tempting to choose a popular major, doing so can come with its own set of challenges. For instance, Criminal Justice, which is often perceived as a pathway to law enforcement or law careers, is frequently distributed into sub-disciplines such as chemistry, psychology, and sociology at the undergraduate level. However, these sub-disciplines can provide a broader educational foundation, which can be beneficial for future career prospects.
According to the NCES, while full 2022 data is not yet available, the trends show a steady rise in these areas, indicating that these popular majors are here to stay. Therefore, students must carefully consider the potential oversaturation in their chosen field.
Regret and Career Adjustments
A recent case in point is that of a local college student who graduated with a BBA with an emphasis on Human Resources Management (HRM). Despite having graduated, she is facing significant challenges in finding a job. The issue lies in the saturated job market, where companies often require three years of experience despite her recent graduation. This situation has left her feeling disheartened and regretful of her choice.
My recommendation for her and other students would be to consider careers in fields with high demand and fewer saturations, such as Computer Science (CS) or Management Information Systems (MIS). These fields offer lucrative and expanding job opportunities, making them more attractive in the long run.
The statistics from the college graduation ceremony were particularly eye-opening. Out of every five graduates, four had a BBA degree. The remaining were CS graduates, which is a stark contrast and reinforces the need for students to consider career demand and job market trends seriously.
Future Outlook and Career Planning
For students considering a major in 2022, following the trends and job market demands can significantly impact their future career paths. Some majors, such as Human Resources Management, while initially appealing, can lead to a slow and painful climb up the corporate ladder. On the other hand, majors in fields like Computer Science and Management Information Systems offer more immediate and rewarding job prospects.
It is crucial for students to carefully evaluate the potential job market challenges and consider the following steps:
Research and understand the specific job market trends in different fields. Consider the demand for different roles and the industry's future growth. Seek advice from career counselors, alumni, and professionals in the field. Keep an open mind and be prepared to adapt to the changing job market demands.In conclusion, while popular majors such as Business and Medical Sciences offer many benefits, they also come with their own set of challenges. Students should carefully weigh their options and plan their careers according to the current and future job market trends.