This is the first of two blogs relating to the topic of best jobs in 2015. This one lists the top jobs for college graduates and the second the top jobs not requiring a college degree.
No, I am not a specialist on this – just a reformed former college prof that seems to be a dust magnet for parents looking for advice for their unemployed and soon-to-be graduating or recently graduated offspring.
As we approach the second most active college graduation season of the year, as an economist, I contemplate the success (and failures) of people obtaining jobs who are just completing their undergrad or graduate degrees. And not a just job, but a good job that pays well and has a high probability of success.
I have already received three inquiries from parents of soon-to-be grads asking how I can help in the search process or what to recommend as they have yet to find a job. Of course my first question was “What was their major?” One is a Sociology major, another an English major and the third a Kinesiology major that, “Cannot afford to live on a school teacher’s salary,” according to their dad. Wished we could have talked four years ago if you know what I mean.
It leads to the question of what are the best majors for college graduates in today’s employment space. The market answers that question daily: just compare the supply and demand of people with skill sets and those seeking to hire them.
Fortunately, CareerBuilder does track these metrics, and they partnered with Economic Modeling Specialists International (EMSI) to analyze the supply and demand for more than 700 occupations. This list was developed from the comparison of the number of monthly job postings and the average number hired per month, spanning the period from January 2013 to August 2014. Those with the largest gap between the two factors (and there are almost 70 occupations in that space) were further analyzed. Note: This methodology does not necessarily equate to the highest paid, just the greatest availability.
So what were the top-10 occupations where demand far outstripped supply?
First a few caveats. These salaries do not necessarily represent those that upcoming college graduates should anticipate at the outset, but they do show the potential in these occupations. Regardless, these jobs look to have a good return on investment for college graduates. Second, just because a person has a degree that qualifies them for a position in no way assures that they will be successful in that job. Or that they will even get a job in the first place. Work ethic plays an essential component in employment success, as do people skills and attitudes.
To read the entire article click http://www.careerbuilder.com/share/aboutus/pressreleasesdetail.aspx?sd=11%2f20%2f2014&id=pr852&ed=12%2f31%2f2014
Should people only major in degrees that have high demand? No, not at all. But they should be honest in their selections when potentially faced with limited opportunities upon graduation. Everyone needs to know how to read and write effectively – so I believe that English and writing are very important in our lives, but not necessarily as a core study for tens of thousands of graduates annually.
Some of the most successful and intelligent people I have met have no degrees, rather their own skill sets set them apart from the rest.
Good news for all is that the U.S. has created 220,000 net new jobs per month average for the prior 12-months.
For all of the new soon-to-be college grads out there: Good hunting.
Ted