A college major gives a student direction and builds a foundation of knowledge for his future career. Yet it doesn't always define what field he'll work in post-college. For instance, a journalism major may end up working as a communications director in the health-care industry, or a business major one day may run an art gallery.
As the economy continues to improve, certain fields are bouncing back more quickly than others. Students whose majors give them the flexibility to work in different sectors should pay attention to those that are hiring new college graduates. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers' January 2013 Salary Survey, the following five sectors reported the highest number of new graduates with bachelor's degrees entering the field:
1. Educational services: This sector includes schools, colleges, universities and centers that provide instruction and training in a wide variety of subjects.*
Number of new grad entrants: 444,500
Average starting pay: $39,879
Top major hired into the industry: Biological sciences/life sciences
2. Professional, scientific and technical services: These activities require a high degree of expertise and training. Examples of activities performed in this sector include accounting, bookkeeping, payroll services, architecture, engineering and computer services.
Number of new grad entrants: 289,400
Average starting pay: $48,035
Top major hired into the industry: Business administration/management
3. Health care and social assistance: This field comprises establishments providing health care and social assistance for individuals.
Number of new grad entrants: 269,100
Average starting pay: $42,309
Top major hired into the industry: Nursing
4. Federal, state and local government: This sector consists of federal, state and local government agencies that administer, oversee and manage public programs and have executive, legislative or judicial authority over other institutions within a given area. It excludes state and local schools and hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service.
Number of new grad entrants: 191,900
Average starting pay: $44,863
Top major hired into the industry: Criminal justice and corrections
5. Finance and insurance: This sector includes establishments primarily engaged in conducting or facilitating financial transactions, involving the creation, liquidation or change in ownership of financial assets.
Number of new grad entrants: 96,700
Average starting pay: $52,741
Top major hired into the industry: Business administration/management
Source: careerbuilder