原文发表于 2005-1-13
Article provided by The Princeton Review
If you're currently pondering what to settle on as your major--or even if you're just curious what tomorrow's job applicants are majoring in today--here's a top 10 list for you. Not that this should sway you. In fact, the popularity of majors has little to do with actual demand for related fields in the workplace. The career fields with the most opportunities do not always appeal to the student masses. And the majors that sound most exciting to students do not always lead to equally snazzy-sounding jobs.
Nonetheless, here we've included the ten most popular majors. You'll also find advice on what to expect in the program and where this major might lead in the job market.
1) Psychology. Psychology is the study of the way humans and animals interact and respond to their environment; in essence, it's the study of behavior and the thoughts and motivations behind it. Cool thing about this major: analyzing your friends and family. Not so cool thing: you pretty much have to go to grad school to do anything at all related to this, which is perfectly fine, if you understand and commit to that path from the get-go. Just don't expect four years of college alone to get you your own private practice where people lie on a couch and tell you their troubles for $95 an hour. You'll need an extra five to seven years of schooling and a Ph.D. or Psy.D. before you can do that.
2) English. You'll find English majors in countless types of jobs. Many of these jobs are the communications-based careers you'd expect--author, reporter, journalist, editor, radio broadcaster, advertising, and public relations executives--but plenty of them aren't quite so obvious. English majors also become teachers, lawyers (after law school, of course), film directors, politicians, actors, you name it. Why is an English major so versatile? Probably because English programs focus on the liberal arts, in addition to literature, language, and writing. As a result, they produce well-rounded, well-read individuals who have studied life in words across the globe. Sound good? Be prepared to read, think, write, discuss, and then read a whole lot more.
3) Mathematics. Math majors--such an interesting breed! Analytical, precise, and often quite quirky. As a mathematics major you're in for--you guessed it--tons and tons of math. Some schools offer degree programs that can be combined with a major in business, economics, physics, or computer science. Some popular math-oriented careers include actuary, economist, businessperson, professor, physicist, statistician, and auditor. If courses in Abstract Algebra, Complex Variables, History of Math, Number Theory, and Vector Analysis appeal to you, you and your amazing brain will feel right at home.
4) Business Administration and Management. Did you save your allowance instead of blowing it each week? Did you start your own lawn-mowing business when you were still in grade school? They always said you had a mind for business, and now you're ready to prove it. Business majors often find success in the field of their choice, working their way up the ladder to become managers, executives, and vice presidents in a company. A major in business offers focused training in accounting, finance, marketing, economics, human resources, and decision making. You'll learn to budget, organize, plan, hire, direct, control, and manage an organization. And you'll find even more chances for career growth if you go on to business school and earn your MBA.
5) Biology. Biology majors focus on the living world, meaning everything from microscopic organisms to the human body. In addition to being a stepping stone for med school, a major in biology can lead to a job in such growing fields as genetics, biotechnology, or medical research. Veterinarians, optometrists, ecologists, biochemists, and environmentalists all may have majored in biology.
6) Chemistry. As you know from your class in high school, chemistry examines the composition, structure, properties, and reactions of matter, the stuff of the universe. The skills you gather as a chemistry major can be applied to any number of fields, from pharmaceuticals to biotechnology to environmentalism. Chemistry majors gain a strong background in the sciences, spend some quality time in the lab, and often work as chemists or chemical engineers in a wide variety of companies.
7) History. Not only will a history major prepare you to be an impressive contestant on Jeopardy!, it will also make a fine foundation for a career in politics, activism, law, or journalism. Many students find the stories of the past--whether they involve ancient Greece or modern Africa--to be an exciting field of study. If that's you, be prepared for lots of critical thinking and a great deal of reading and writing. History majors may wind up in any number of careers--from teaching to research--because they're good at digging up information, remembering it, and finding patterns.
Political Science. Has there ever been a better time to sign on for the academic study of politics and government? This major breaks down everything from revolutions to political parties to voting behavior and public policy all across the world. It's a pretty broad subject involving heavy doses of reading and writing, even statistical analysis. Many schools will want you to choose a concentration, such as Comparative Politics, American Politics, or even Political Economics. Post-graduation options include: politics, campaign work, journalism, diplomacy, lobbying, and, of course, law school.
9) Accounting. Here's a straightforward but fairly technical and numbers-oriented major, combining economics, the interpretation of financial data, and management skills. If you want to go beyond the general title of "accountant," you might consider specializing in auditing, taxes, or consulting. Pass a challenging exam after graduation and you can earn the title of CPA (certified public accountant), CMA (certified management accountant), or CIA (certified internal auditor). It's a major for those who love math and business, and don't mind snuggling up to a computer.
10) Sociology. This major--in which you study collective human behavior and the social forces that influence it--often leads to careers in social work or within non-profit organizations serving specific (and often underserved) segments of the population. You may also find your niche as a teacher, career counselor, writer, politician, or criminologist. Fascinating college courses will include the study of crime and violence, sex and gender, family, race and ethnic relations, health and illness, social classes, religion, community, and public policies. Sociology majors are often compassionate folks who are driven to help the people in society who need it most.
整理时间：2007年04月05日
