Its a Matter of Degree

Georgetown University recently published a report that examined the median salaries and career paths of college graduates from the last 40 years.  While college graduates on average make 84% more over their lifetime than individuals with only a high school diploma, almost every college major tends to be worth it in the end, regardless of the program.  For example, business management and administration majors had a median salary of $58,000, general business majors had a median salary of $60,000, and the median accounting salary was $63,000.  

Also, surveys routinely find that employers want their employees to not only have a deep knowledge of their topic but also a broad range of skills that can be developed into managerial responsibilities.  

What does this mean for the Berkeley College student?  Students choose majors based on a variety of reasons: interest, salary, job titles, location, industry, familiarity or interest in field, etc. And as students take their course work, it is crucial they also develop appropriate job skills in their part-time jobs, refine their career interests in their internship, and then market themselves to employers as viable and appropriate potential employees.  

Not all career paths will lead to job satisfaction, but developing transferable job skills and knowledge will help students better refine their career interests that can lead to better opportunities and hopefully, the commensurate salary.

Thomas L. Thomas, Ph.D.
Senior Vice President for Student Success