DegreeGo Blog

Let’s face reality: the economy is bleak. For the first time, college graduates and high school graduates face similar challenges with unemployment. It used to be that a bachelor’s degree guaranteed work; now, only certain college degrees are making the cut. College grads that studied in fields that do not have proper application in the workforce are searching just as desperately through the riddled mess of unemployment as high school grads; even people holding master’s degrees are occasionally taking the brunt of the economic crisis’ unemployment.

Fortunately, there is a light at the end of the dismal tunnel.

There are college degrees still thriving even in today’s market. Those that are not still provide the foundation needed for when the economy picks back up and still retain their creditability, but let’s say you are after more than training–you are after stability during a crisis such as the here-and-now.

For prospective students turning to college for training during the economic lull, DegreeGo has taken the time to compile together some research on what college degrees are staying afloat:

1. Accounting. In an article released today by Fastweb, the stories of college graduates from 2008 struggling for employment rings a reality check on the college graduates of 2009. The article claims outside of the cesspool of graduates applying for over 350 positions and landing a spot as a GED-level customer service representative, accounting majors are still holding strong and landing their ideal positions.

2. Engineering. The above article also praises engineering majors, claiming they are not having issues with employment.Environmental engineering is today’s highlight.

3. Healthcare. National Payday reports that while 2009 College Graduates Face a Tough Road, those in healthcare will not have nearly as much of a problem as other graduates. The healthcare industry was the largest in 2006 and is still expanding.

4. Nursing. Nursing is related to the healthcare field but deserves unique mention; it is highlighted by Infrastructurist‘s article on the four majors thriving in the economy.

5. Criminal Justice. CBS News brought up a valid point during their discussion of the downward spiral of the economy: the government is still hiring strong. A degree in criminal justice is ideal for government work and is guaranteed to have jobs opening for it every year.

6. Finance. Personal Finance Advisors made the list on, “What Careers Are Best in a Bad Economy.” The benefit of a finance degree is that it is not just limited in Personal Finance Advisor, but can branch out to other exciting fields, such as banking and brokerage, when the economy picks back up; it brings the advantage of versatility. It is also attractive to large corporations.

7. Medical Equipment Service. The New York Times reports a successful story about a 2-year medical equipment service program in the article, “Jobs That Recession May Never Touch.” Vocational degrees like Medical Equipment Service that center around thriving areas (i.e., the healthcare industry) have room for expansion even when everything else seems to be going downhill. The story in the article also develops into the prospect of entrepreneurship.

8. Energy Commerce. Infrastructurist’s suggestion in, “You’re Hired! Four College Majors That Will Still Get You a Job, Even in Today’s Economy,” was to pursue an Energy Commerce degree, or a field of study related to alternative energy solutions. With the green reform occuring in the United States, this field is a sure-doer. 

9. Environmental Science. The above article from Infrasctructurist also looks into environmental science due to its prevalent influence on the decision to go green in the United States. The article quotes, “Some schools focus on specific areas within the field such as EPA regulations, waste management, and environmental technology.”

10. Network Systems and Data Communication Analysts. Forbes wrote in January 2009, “Best Jobs for New College Graduates Now,” that network systems and data communication analysts are fairing well; this field is holding the top position on the recently updated 200 Best Jobs for College Graduates list.

What’s the verdict? Go to college and pick your area of study wisely. Ultimately, your degree choice should be centered around your dream career–after all, the recession is part of the roller coaster ride of the economy and will pick up–but also pick your degree wisely. If you are unsure what you want to do, accounting might be more beneficial than liberal arts.

If you doubt whether college is the right choice, remember that the growth of education was one of the determining factors that caused the economy to pull itself out of the Great Depression, and all the struggling recessions between now and then. A college degree has almost turned into a standard: there is a record 27.5% adults over 25 with a bachelor’s degree, versus the 7.7% average in 1960.