A college degree is still your best bet for earning top dollar.
Yet with more Americans graduating from college, having a degree is no longer enough to stand out. To make the most of that degree in an economy filled with college grads, choosing the right degree is that much more important. Here are some tips for finding the right college major.
Research more than just income
Before he retired, I knew few people more content with their job than my uncle. He was a power plant operator.
He had Homer Simpsons job.
Doughnut gags aside, it was a rough job. Alternating between days and nights on 12-hour shifts was normal. Constant monitoring of computer screens permanently damaged his eyes.
But those painful shifts were balanced by long, uninterrupted stretches of vacation. That gave him the freedom to do what he loves be outdoors and travel the country.
Just as important as the pay was that the job fit my uncles lifestyle.
The much-pursued work-life balance isnt one-size fits all. A steady nine-to-five is not what my uncle wanted. Yet for many people, no amount of days off could make up for the exhausting hours he worked.
Students should look at job growth and the size of paychecks for different careers. But they should also consider work environment and schedule. The Bureau of Labor Statistics is one of the best resources for learning not just what workers in a field earn but what the day-to-day of the job looks like.
It all comes down to self, said Jared Meitler, the senior assistant director at Kansas State Universitys career center. Youve got to know yourself in order to make sure you can make informed career decisions.
Take a test ride
I bounced around the communication department during my first few months in college. Performing in the universitys black box made it clear I wasnt spinning acting into a career. I had little patience for all the time spent on lighting in TV and film. Radio was only a passing interest until I had my first on-air shift at my college radio station. Thats when I knew what my career would be (despite my live nosebleed during that radio show).
