ut to meet tons of new people and get your first taste of independence. You are finally going to live on your own ... even if that means sharing a 12' x 14' space with a roommate. And the best part is? You can stay out as late as you want to -- Even on a school night!With all these exciting things going on, it can be easy to forget other factors that will impact your college career. Like, say choosing a major. I remember going off to college and not really having a clue what I wanted to do. Who can be absolutely sure of the best use of their skill set at the tender age of 18?
I entered my freshman year with a business undecided major with the intention of choosing the details later. The more business classes I took, I realized that I would be best suited for marketing major. But this decision did not come easily. After an internal debate between marketing, communications and the other business majors at my school, I finally made my choice.
It turned out that I made the right decision, but it certainly was not an easy choice. I thought it would be interesting to see what the most searched for college majors were on AOL Search. If I had such a hard time making decisions others have to be in the same boat.
A major in government came up at the top of the list. I thought it was very interesting that people were searching for colleges with dance majors next. There are a lot of music focused programs that people are searching for from songwriting majors to jazz music and commercial music majors. I also think that a having a broadcasting major could be very fun!
Did your major make out list? Try searching for college majors on AOL Search to see what is out there.
Hot College Majors on AOL Search:
1. Major in government
2. Colleges with dance majors
3. Business forensics major
4. Songwriting major
5. Neuroscience major
6. English major
7. Broadcasting major in college
8. Biology major
9. Colleges with jazz music major
10. Colleges with commercial music major
More Sponsored Links For: college majors, accredited colleges, college degree
posted by Allie
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62
comments
COMMENTS
Been there, done that. That's why I got a music ed. degree istaed of a music performance degree. I still got to perform and had my education degree to fall back on. Eventually, I went back to school and got a dgree in my second area of interest, counseling. I've been a school guidance counslor for years AND have had the opportunity to perform.
It's not an easy decision, but try to find that blend of something you like mixed with something you can pay the bills with. Good luck to all.
By counselor on Dec 20th 2007 at 9:59AM
I have spent the last 24 years as a Human Resource hiring manager for (2) large corporations. After reading this list, I was laughing my head off. You'd better marry money or have rich parents who plan to continue to support you - forever - or until you wake up and return to school for a second degree! You'd better research a major that will help you find a JOB.
By Lucille Calvert on Dec 20th 2007 at 10:13AM
"2. They better think twice before going into some of these majors if they want to find a job that pays anything"
Posted at 6:57AM on Dec 20th 2007 by jiapaul
Regarding this comment........you must be one of those kids that couldn't get into college, or took the 'alternative' route you ignorant idiot..... I went to an institution with one of the pre-eminenent neorscience majors (for conversation's sake since it's on the list above), and these kids are going to be making six figures after they complete their residenices.... i'm a '99 graduate... u do the math.
and as for Government Majors....i was a Gov. Major and I work in Consulting.....I'm 25 and am going to make above 100K this year.
think before you speak moron....
By chad on Dec 20th 2007 at 10:36AM
# 18 (Betty) The reason people are cross about poor spelling and grammar are posts JUST LIKE YOURS !! Filled with misspellings (even 'grammer') And this IS in keeping with the topic - higher education, which you obviously didn't have. My hubby and I both had double majors in college, so if one didn't work out, we had the other to fall back on. AND...we finished school in 3 years, so double majors doesn't make it more difficult. My initial major was in voice, but knowing it would be difficult to make a career of that, my 2nd major was in English teaching. As a mother, teaching is the very best job out there, for time, money, and fringe benefits - not to mention job security if you're good at what you do. But that's true of any job - be good at what you do.
By Ann on Dec 20th 2007 at 10:43AM
You can't earn a decent living with an undergraduate degree and an 18 yr old isn't sufficienly experienced with life to decide at that early age what to do with the rest of it. My recco is to use your undergrad experience to get a broad and general overview of various things and acquire a cultural understanding of life; i.e. liberal arts. During undergrad years discuss with lots of people the types of work there are, what skill sets are needed, what the future of that work might be and your it's attractiveness to you. Make a decision on a life career a bit later, like as a junior or senior, and then find a grad school to advantageously prepare you for that work. I recruited college kids for years at my company and found far too many who had an unrealistic idea of what the work was about.
By michael dane on Dec 20th 2007 at 10:44AM
If the goal from going to college is to learn a skill and to get a job, then one needs to look at advertised jobs to see what kind of skills are in demand. It is not fair to give advice to young people by showing them one or two success stories.
By beatignorance on Dec 22nd 2007 at 12:02PM
Well . . . I'll bet they ALL can make more than I can with a masters in secondary math ed! Nobody seems to appreciate teachers. Even though I love what I do, if I didn't have my husband to depend on, I would have to quit what I love and go make money at something else! Something's very wrong with that . . .
By Joanne Beebe on Dec 20th 2007 at 10:53AM
[snip #24]
"so double majors doesn't make it more difficult."
Ouch. And you're an English teacher. Now I see where the problem originates.
By lucy on Dec 20th 2007 at 10:56AM
I am currently at a University studying as an English major. It is my "dream" major and I do worry about job prospects when I get out of school. However, just because you pick a humanities major does not mean you will be a bum on the street. Having great communication skills for instance is something that a lot of companies are looking for in an employee. You just have to know how to market yourself well and look for internships in fields that interest you. Not everyone measures their success by having the same bank account as a doctor or lawyer. I won't be making oodles of money, but that's fine with me.
By Lucyfan1121 on Dec 20th 2007 at 11:16AM
I graduated with a biology degree, couldn't even get a job at Long John Silvers ('you're overqualified') and luckily got picked up by a professional school after 2 scary (and jobless) months! whew!
By jilly on Dec 20th 2007 at 11:15AM
PERSONALLY,
I'd rather be fulfilled career-wise by doing a job I love, over a job I hate that pays well.
And no matter how cliche, I stand by that.
By Em on Dec 20th 2007 at 11:14AM
The Biology majors probably are pre-med and anyone with any sense does not go into teaching anymore or if they do, they don't last. Teaching always paid poorly but the teachers were treated with respect. Now with that gone andmore and more CRAP piled on them, only the ones that have been in the system so long stay there. The rest leave while they are still young enough to get a job that pays and treats you decently.
By michelle on Dec 20th 2007 at 11:21AM
I was one of those kids who followed her heart and got the dream degree, in music, only to find out there is a low ceiling on what my profession will pay, and the only way to get benefits is to go into public education, which pays poorly also. I love what I do with a passion, and as a divorced woman, if I could get benefits and insurance, it would be perfect, and worth the pay ceiling. Unfortunately, at the age of 47, the prospect of going back to school to get a degree in something I can support myself on and retire while still working full-time is daunting. My advice to my own 4 kids, and those "dreaming," is to get that business degree, or "fallback" degree, and pursue your dream as a hobby which may or may not contribute to your living.
By Karen on Dec 21st 2007 at 12:18PM
College is a scam, it's just another business trying to make money teaching people how to scam society farther, like doctors prescribing useless drugs that just supress your body functions, and factory farming that only has 2 goals, make money & make sales and does it without regards to the damage. Same with engineers that work for war suppliers and sales and marketing who just brainwash people into wasting their money. God forbid we allow this to continue in America.
By kevinbeair on Dec 20th 2007 at 11:30AM
Dance, songwriting, various music and even broadcasting majors...what an incredibly self indulgent waste of time and money. If this AOL user list reflects overall reality, then not only are this kids in for a rude awakening, the world will end up with a boatload of poor, probably for the most part talentless, musical, entertainment wannabes and losers. To spend a college education on careers that are this popular, over-crowded, competitive, filed with clueless dreamers, and I'm sorry to say - as much as I love music, media and the arts - flat out useless, is an insult to all the people who could have benefitted from the money and time who will never have such luxuries. The music industry alone has never been in a worse state. The number of artists who were ever able to even modestly support themselves in music and even moreso in dance, is like a stone on a beach compared to the numbers who think they have it and take a run at it. At the very least, have some self respect for the process if you want to make music...you don't need to go to college to do it, you need to practice and play...period.
I had careers related to all these fields back in the day when there were better chances than today and the audience for music was larger and more passionate about it than they will ever be in the foreseeable future and the chances of "making it," were depressingly small even then. I worked with independent bands, singers, songwriters, promoters, major labels and their artists, in radio and later in television and I can tell you firsthand, the passion of music doesn't happen in a classroom, it happens in basements, garages, apartments, houses, clubs and concert halls. And then only for the privledged few, or even more sadly, the connected few. Talent alone is rarely enough.
As for broadcasting...to spend a college career to get a illustrious career in media is about as worthwhile and useful as having a down winter coat in Florida. Just what we need, more assholes clogging the airwaves with their pontifications and prognostications. Here in the internet age where anyone, everyone and their dog can have their "report" available and broadcast to the world in less time than the average bowel movement it's really important to have more talking heads telling us what to think as they spread their bias through any and all outlets available. Like squishing mayonaise through slices of swiss cheese.
And the number one choice...government! My God, what will the world become! We will be stuffed full of more corrupt, useless bureaucrats wasting tax dollars trying to support the millions of talentless deluded dancers and music people out there and a whole new crop of mindless broadcasters telling us how great life is and why any of it matters. We're doomed.
College age people should do the world a favor and major in something that will have some real value to humankind and the planet. Where are the green scientists and engineers? Where are the doctors? Where are those studying global politics and international relations? Why not take a few years before college and volunteer for Vista or the Peace Corp and learn something about the world and some of the poor people in it before you self indulgently waste your parents hard earned or the publics student loan money on becoming dancers, musicians, government drones and otherwise wastes of time and space?
By Sammy C on Dec 20th 2007 at 11:35AM
Hmmmmm, Tom is a Dork!
By Jerry Bryant on Dec 20th 2007 at 11:39AM
A balance can be had. I've told my children to study for a career that they are interested in "working" in, and save the "passion" for your hobbie. Example, for the musically passionate there are community bands/orchestras, theater companies that need musicians, etc. By being a dentist (or whatever) during the day allows you the financial freedoms to play with your passion in your off time. Besides once the passion becomes work, then is it really fun anymore? It becomes "work". My brother loves sailing, thought at one time of owning a marina. Even looked at one to buy, then realized his love of boats would now become work. He looked elsewhere for a job and saved sailing for evenings, weekends and vacations ... it is still his true love.
By Awg on Dec 20th 2007 at 11:43AM
"Why are we paying so much to teachers who turn out kids handicapped in their own language?"
Obviously, you are a little delusional about how much a teacher makes especially since you also commented that people should put 1/2 of the income away and need $100,000 to survive and be happy. As a teacher, I will NEVER make a salary even close to that. Heck, I'd be happy to make 1/2 of that! (I’ve been teaching 14 years.) Regardless and as far as students’ language is concerned, it is a continuous battle in the classroom which is plagued by students whose parents don't speak properly or even speak English at home. Furthermore in today’s society of political correctness and giving every student an equal opportunity for social growth, classrooms have such a mixture of students with special needs, behavioral problems, gifted and talented, as well as your average student - that it’s a miracle that teachers get students prepared for the abundant number of state mandated and benchmark tests that are forced upon us. In addition most teachers have extracurricular activates that are “built into their contacts under additional duties” to attend (virtually with little or no pay) during the evenings and after school.
Finally, (back to the language problem) students are bombarded with music, television, and friends where slang language
“rules.”
By tctfwt on Dec 20th 2007 at 2:42PM
Sammy C
well said, your right on...
God forbid if we let this continue in America. The purpose of founding america was not to make money, it was to be free from tyrany of others, free to speak, to be free of others trying to control and scam and brainwash you. Today that freedom is all about gone as most the world worships nothing more than the all mighty dollar and corporations make the rules. And college and Public education? That's how they brainwash you into believing this is still american life.
By kevinbeair on Dec 20th 2007 at 12:00PM
yea...just drop out of college and go work. You will find your dream job if you work towards it...and youll make money along the way
By kastonie on Dec 20th 2007 at 12:06PM