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Want to know which college majors are most likely to result in employment? Source: Shutterstock.
Want to know which college majors are most likely to result in employment? Source: Shutterstock.com

‘Will I be employable when I graduate?’

You may have asked yourself this question many times throughout the last few years. Deciding to get a degree is a huge prospect and it is only natural there is an element of fear attached.

Picking a college major can be one of the most crucial elements to your employability. It is important to get it right. How employable you will be is not the only factor to consider when choosing a major but it definitely comes into play.

The Business Insider has compiled a list of the top college majors for landing that all-important graduate job. They used career site Zippia, which collected US census data to compare and ultimately estimate the unemployment rates of graduates aged 22 to 25 years old with different college majors.

The best majors for employment seem to mostly centre on education and science, perhaps due to the niche roles in the often understaffed sector.

You should consider these 11 majors if you are worried about your employment prospects after graduation.

Physics — 4.49 percent unemployment 

There is a gap in the market for graduates who majored in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) subjects. Physics, in particular, is one of the best ‘hard science’ majors for employment prospects. Typically, graduates work at universities or research labs.

Civil Engineering — 4.29 percent unemployment 

Engineering in general is a major with pretty great career prospects. However, out of the six strands of engineering, civil engineering beats them all in terms of employment prospects.

Biochemical Sciences — 4.22 percent unemployment 

Biomedical sciences is just another STEM subject major which boasts low unemployment rates. Similarly to Physics, biochem graduates often work in independent research labs or universities.

Language and Drama Education — 4.11 percent unemployment 

It appears the key to being employable in the education sector lies in your willingness to specialize. The Zippia study found that out of the 146 graduates sampled, only six were struggling to find jobs in teaching foreign languages or theater.

Animal Sciences — 3.97 percent unemployment 

Animal science majors work toward protecting animals and developing therapies, as well as studying their behaviour. Graduates in this field have been estimated to have more than a 96 percent chance of finding suitable employment.

Nursing — 3.81 percent unemployment

Nursing majors rarely struggle to find a job after graduation. Hospitals’ demand for staff is unfaltering. Money Talks News reported in 2013 nursing majors had the lowest unemployment rate in the US.

Elementary Education — 3.63 percent unemployment 

Despite specializing in education being one promising way to find yourself in high demand on the job market, elementary education is the exception. The Business Insider reported that in the Zippia study, of the 799 people surveyed, only 29 were unemployed.

Communication Disorders Sciences And Services — 3.48 percent unemployment 

More commonly referred to as speech therapists, communication disorders sciences and services majors seldom struggle to land a job. They work to improve the lives of those with hearing or language disabilities.

Special Needs Education — 3.11 percent unemployment 

Teachers who are qualified to work specifically with special needs children and adults are essential. These areas are often understaffed and so special needs education majors are unlikely to struggle to find employment.

Natural Resources Management — 2 percent unemployment 

As our world evolves and climate change becomes an ever-increasing threat, those who specialize in natural resources management are more employable than ever. As an end to our use of fossil fuels dawns, it is essential those who want to work toward helping the environment are employed. Jobs are on the increase and as a result graduate unemployment is on the decrease.

Social Science or History Teacher Education — 1 percent unemployment 

Topping the charts, social science and history teacher education comes in at an impressive 99 percent employment rate. This is just another example showing how specializing in education pays. In particular, adult education is an industry which is growing and teachers are in high demand.

Teachers who teach others how to enter into teaching, especially those in social sciences and history, are highly sought after.

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