It goes without saying that there are underrated college majors that are valued more than others. At least, there is a consensus that they have more earning potential and career advancement opportunities. These majors primarily revolve around business, marketing, medicine, law, mass communication, and engineering.
On the other end of the spectrum lie underrated majors. They are perceived to be of lower value than their actual standing. As a result, they are often overlooked or frowned upon by students and parents. In reality, these majors offer just as much value as their popular counterparts.
Here’s a list of five underrated majors you should consider studying in college.
Table of Contents
English
You will review literature from all over the world and study its relation to culture, history, and similar fields. The course is intense in terms of reading and writing. Students are taught critical and creative thinking, effective written and oral communication, and analytical assessment of complex information.
As an English major, you might get a few requests that sound like this: “can you please write my essays?” which might push you to get into freelance writing. The latter may enable you to earn while you complete your degree. Undoubtedly, it’s a win-win situation.
With an English major, you can work as a copywriter, author, and public relations manager, among others. An English major is also beneficial as it acts as a supplementary course that can help you get into other professions like law, journalism, and advertising.
According to ZipRecruiter, the average annual pay for English major jobs is $49,220. Top earners make as much as $102,500 annually. The good thing is the career paths have a lot of room for advancement, meaning the earning potential is high.
Mathematics
A math degree is generally for students who are capable of handling advanced mathematical concepts. But, not everyone is a math genius, so if you’re struggling with your math homework, you can follow this link (https://essayservice.com/do-my-math-homework) to get help with the assignment.
Math majors learn about the connection between numbers, forms and sequences. In addition, students learn various concepts like geometry, topology, logic, algebra, and calculus. By the end of their studies, students develop abstract thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
Among the job positions available to mathematics majors are actuary, data scientist, and math professor. According to ZipRecruiter, the average annual pay for mathematics jobs is $57,720. Top earners make as much as $123,500 annually.
Philosophy
Philosophy is considered a course that challenges students to examine questions that have no right answers. Thus, students study the fundamental nature of free will, consciousness, and morality, among other facets.
The course equips you with the skills needed to adequately construct and evaluate chains of reasoning. In addition, you develop clear communication skills on complex topics. Also, the ability to seek out and consider different perspectives and develop critical thinking skills.
Philosophy graduates can apply their knowledge in law, medicine, software engineering, and business. According to Payscale, the average annual pay for job holders with a philosophy degree is $72,000. The highest-paid individuals earn upwards of $142,000 annually.
Geology
Geology involves applying the fundamental principles of chemistry and physics to study the earth and its history. It is taught by focusing on the three states of matter: solids, liquids, and gases. In addition, students learn about rocks and minerals, rock-forming and deformation processes, natural resources, and the interconnectedness of ecosystems and water.
Geology majors will develop the skills to identify and mitigate geological hazards such as flooding, earthquakes, and landslides. Students will also be able to deploy various methods to search for mineral deposits, groundwater resources, natural gas, and petroleum.
Career paths include:
- Geologist
- Environmental scientist
- Petroleum geologist
- Hydrogeologist
- Mine geologist
According to Payscale, the average annual pay for geology jobs is $64,000. However, the highest-paid individuals earn upwards of $124,000.
Food Science
Food science involves studying the structural, biological, and chemical composition of food. In addition, students learn about the process of making food safe for consumption, whether from farm to shelf or from a manufacturing plant.
They also learn about food preservation and how to increase the shelf life of food products without causing harm to consumers. Possible career paths for a food science major include quality assurance manager, food scientist, food technologist, and product development specialist.
According to the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), the median salary for professionals in the food science industry is $92,000. Entry-level positions start at $52,000.
Conclusion
What you choose to study should always be influenced by your interests and not the career opportunities. It’s easy to go for a popular major favoring a specific career path and forget that there are plenty of options with similar outcomes. So why not consider going for one of these underrated college majors if you have a genuine interest in them? You might like it.
