phanatic

^^^Nice, osucowboys.

Computer science is fairly recession-proof; the same goes for all types of engineering, and health sciences (especially geriatrics).

Beyond that, there isn't much that is going to be a fairly safe guarantee of success. You'd have to put a lot more effort into distinguishing yourself in almost all other fields to get the same "guarantee" that other majors would more easily give you.

lantzk

Actually, I'm going to go a step further: secondary education is ruining our nation. As more and more people earn college degrees the degrees themselves slowly become meaningless and yet required. Aside from that the growth of secondary education is depriving our workforce of those who could make up the backbone of our economy by working in factories and flipping burgers. Universities like Harvard are keeping our young patriots out of the workforce and slowly replacing the firm financial pillars our economy is built on and replacing them with the void of the uneducated.

Damn you education! How dare you ruin our country and cause this current economic crisis! Without highly educated physics majors to repackage mortgages and toxic assets this never would have happened. Damn you Harvard!

bdl108

Who is to define what a "rewarding major" is? This is the kind of question that should be left to the individual.

Majoring in philosophy is going to be much more rewarding to someone interested in philosophy than to someone interested in astrophysics.

applicannot

I've looked at a LOT of schools. Coming from a low-income home, a place where I could be comfortable is a must. However, almost all schools talked about on CC are generally very wealthy or at least very, very middle class. That said, GWU has intense need-based aid (but no guarantees). DC is also not as expensive as a city as it sounds. That said, I would rank GW more financially comfortable for lower-middle and low-income students than some other schools, notably any of the Ivies and almost all of the other very urban schools. But since I love GW, I'm probably biased.

TPL09

I never said business was not affected by the economy, just not as much as many would think. I'm sure that getting a business degree now still is more monetarily more effective than getting a terminal ugrad degree in anthropology for example. I have many friends and family that have found good, high paying jobs after finishing their ugrad business programs. It may be harder to find those jobs, but that's the same for every field. Unemployment is a problem throughout.

schee410

bdl108, the OP specifically meant lucrative majors/careers.

osucowboys

Well that seems kind of misguided, albeit typical CC.

bdl108

schee410: the OP never mentioned anything pertaining to lucrative majors. He was just wondering what the most "rewarding" majors were, but in typical CC fashion, everyone just assumed that meant the most profitable majors.

I agree with hawkette. For those of you not yet in college, once you actually start majoring in something you'll realize that there's more to it than a promise of monetary profit. You've better have a real interest (that is, for reasons other than money) in what you're majoring in. Otherwise, I don't see a point in being in college.

trojanman10101

Alright well all the majors that I am interested in include: American History, Political Science, and Economics/Finances. Out of these majors which one do you guys think would put me in the best situation to live a wealthy life? And not all three are a answer : )

SingDanceRunLife

Nursing.

I'm gonna be a nursing major, but the current economic crisis/outlook have absolutely nothing to do with my reasons for wanting to be a nurse.

Coolbrezze

I would say political science, and second economics/ finances. I also remember posting on this thread and may have mention a few universities. Eventhough I no longer have a top choice due to family issues, and local hospital I'm starting to have increase interest in Michigan State University James Madison College, and seems like it's a good program for political science. I'm still looking at other programs, others that also seem interesting: UM-Ann Arbor, UM-Twin Cities, UW-Madison

schee410

OP said:

That doesn't sound like "rewarding" in the sense of satisfaction. That sounds like lucrative.

trojanman10101

Coolbreeze: Yeah we talked earlier, however, I just came back from San Francisco. Anyways yeah I have always looked at James Madison being a top poli sci school, along with GWU.

bdl108

schee410: High/constant demand doesn't necessarily mean lucrative. But you're right the OP's probably referring to majors that lead to well-paying jobs.

Gordon_Gekko

Don't major in Poli Sci, it's almost totally useless. Political science itself is great, I would certainly recommend studying it on your own but there isn't any point in getting a degree in Poli Sci (unless you want to teach it.) Trust me, I went through undergrad as a social science major and I asked a few friends what they were going to do when they graduate... I got answers like "teacher", "cop", "Realtor", and of course, "lawyer." Law is oversaturated as it is though, and you can do it with any major so major in something business, engineering, or science related.