Programs POLL for Most useful 4 year degree

[mathwonk]

some people feel majoring in math is useful in many jobs for its training in reasoning.

i majored in math and became a math prof, my wife majored in math and became a physician, our older son majored in math and is an internet business professional, our younger son had the only 800 SAT score in math among us, so majored in fine arts and is a high school dean.

i agree about the universal demand for nurses, an important job that needs training, and is not very high paying.

 

[usahockey]

If you are solely talking about the monetary value of an undergrad degree...

I believe a degree in engineering is, on average, worth more than any other bachelor's UPON GRADUATION...

If you look at the average salary of graduates several years down the road however, then those with a bachelor's in business will have the highest salaries. Of course there are also a higher percentage of these graduates that go on to law school or business school...not that you can't do that after engineering. If you just want the most valuable (in $$ terms- average starting salary, and ease of finding a position), engineering would be good.

I agree that a math degree is "useful". It shows that you have quantitative skills, and that you would be successful in many positions. Two of my uncles majored in math, one went into computer science and engineering, the other went to harvard business and is now a successful CEO of his own technology company. Really, you can't go wrong with anything that is based more on math or science.

 

[mathwonk]

since the word useful has many meanings, i suggest most people would be glad to have had some courses in music and art appreciation in college, when it comes time to spend the money they make in business.

 

[huckmank]

If you look at the average salary of graduates several years down the road however, then those with a bachelor's in business will have the highest salaries.

Back that up with sources, please. And include data for B.S. degrees, not MBAs. An engineer can get an MBA just as easily as a business student.

And your assertion that engineering undergrads take in the highest initial earnings is incorrect. Pharmacy majors start at an average of 85k.

http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Pharmacist/Salary/by_Years_Experience"

 

[usahockey]

Back that up with sources, please. And include data for B.S. degrees, not MBAs. An engineer can get an MBA just as easily as a business student.

And your assertion that engineering undergrads take in the highest initial earnings is incorrect. Pharmacy majors start at an average of 85k.

http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Pharmacist/Salary/by_Years_Experience"

I never said a business student had any easier time getting an MBA...obviously though, if you look at the average salaries of those with undergrad business degrees several years down the road, there will naturally be a higher percentage of those who have gone through an MBA program and would thus be making more money compared to people with other majors. That doesn't mean it is easier for them to get MBAs.

A "pharmacy major" on its own is not enough education now to become a pharmacist. You need a doctor of pharmacy degree. That link you sent is the pay for "pharmacists", not "pharmacy majors". Which means they have completed their PharmD, and are thus earning the extra money due to a level of education beyond a bachelor's degree. So, your assertion is incorrect.

If you actually look at the market value of a BS immediately after graduation, I believe engineering commands the highest average salary, at least according to all of the data I have read...if you want sources, ask google, not me. I'm basing this on what comes to mind and not trying to write a paper on the subject.

 

[Howers]

Engineering.

Pharmacy.

Economics/Commerce.

Actuarial/Statistics.

 

[wolftolstoy]

Can anyone speak to the value of a straight forward vanilla flavored degree in the following;
Mathematics
Statistics
Physics.
Math Education for Secondary Schools
I am on disability and getting ready to go through vocational rehab and hope they will pay my way to a Bachelors degree. (I have enough credits to start as a Junior) but undoubtedly will have to pick up some of the 200 level classes as these all will be a change from my previous work a respiratory therapist.
In addition, I am on disability due to a couple head injuries exacerbating a mood disorder I already had so I am apprehensive about my abilities to comprehend any of this stuff and may opt for something a little less cerebral like special education.
Fire away
Wolf

 

[wolftolstoy]

Quote from above, not sure how to do this, I joined 2 hours ago.

"i agree about the universal demand for nurses, an important job that needs training, and is not very high paying.[/QUOTE]"


PS regarding a comment way up the page re: nurse in demand and not good pay. My former wife is an RN in the Portland, OR area and made 86 K last year without any overtime to speak of and working three 12 hours shifts a week. If she had worked nights she would have picked up a $5.00/hour shift differential. However the ironic thing is the fact that she comes home dead tired and wishes she could stay home and make cookies and sell Mary Kay for a living. So although the income potential is definitely there the saying "You get what you pay for" definitely applies. Or should it be "You pay for what you get" or "You pay for what you are paid", or...

 

[danielandpenn]

How about a double major: English literature and Art History.


To be serious for a moment. If I wanted to get a job I would major in Statistics or Engineering.

What can you do with a four year degree in say, physical or chemical engineering? I guess I thought it would take longer than four years for engineering.

 

[avant-garde]

To get hired as a financial analyst or an accountant: stats or economics?

 

[ParisAsta]

... some people enjoy sitting in the freezing cold at night waiting for a solitary glimpse of Saturn's F ring...

Where do I sign up??

I'm with everyone else do something that you like. If you don't like it it will totally be a huge bummer on the rest of your day. Granted everyone must work jobs that they don't like, but when you get the chance do something that you love.

 

[avant-garde]

How exactly do you know that a passion is going to remain a passion?

Let me give you a quick example. My friend used to think that artificial intelligence would be the most exciting thing to work on. He always obsessed over the concepts and what the future would look like. However, when he directly began to work with programming and design, he couldn't stand it and said he'd rather be doing something else. The bottom line is, there probably isn't the perfect career out there just waiting for you; if it's anything that pays decently and leads to a stable life it will require some degree of struggle and patience. A suitable analogy would be marriage. Many people desire good/great traits in their future spouse. However, they themselves are not willing to change if their spouse were to expect the same traits from them. Every job can be romanticized but when it comes to working at it 8+ hours a day, it won't be what you expected it to be. Nothing in life is easy, and not all is fun and games. Patience is the only way to get through life.

Bottom line: I think human can always rationalize anything to be a passion, for the same reason that they can rationalize anything to be a drudge. But then again, I have yet to go to college. lol

 

[avant-garde]

Did anybody vote Computer Science?