“What do you want to be when you grow up?”
Such a question is often asked to children as young as kindergarten, when schools host events that encourage students to wear a costume of the job they wish to have as an adult.
Later in their secondary education, middle and high school students are often given the opportunity to listen to speakers at career fairs or panels. Regardless, some approach graduation with continued uncertainty – which is expected: roughly one third of undergraduate students changed their major, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.
However, students aren’t often fully aware of the broad range of options available to them, and if they are, they often hold misconceptions about the viability of employment in those fields. Here, Felicity Falcon outlines four potential career pathways that students may consider giving a second thought to.
Computational biology and bioinformatics
As interests and advancements in computing technologies expand, they are increasingly used as tools to drive inquiry and develop treatments for chronic and severe illnesses. For those who are interested in the medical field, but don’t wish to practice or work in a hospital, computational biology offers an alternative as a research-centered track. Often focused around pharmaceutical development, computational biologists develop and evaluate models of living systems, analyze large datasets and help create new drugs that effectively target pathogens.
The Triangle area offers ample opportunity for aspiring bioinformaticians to find employment. Research universities, such as the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Duke University, have track records of contributing to medical advancements using emerging technology. Note that while bioinformatics is more focused on improving current understandings of living organisms, computational biology tends to focus on answering research questions through simulations and experimental methods. However, both work at the intersection of technology and the life sciences.
Actuarial science
Actuaries are essential in assessing risk for business and corporations, including insurance providers and regulatory agencies. While some universities, like Appalachian State University, offer specialized majors in actuarial science, many institutions lack such programs. Instead, aspiring actuaries can major in statistics or mathematics with a relevant concentration such as applied mathematics. Actuaries are also expected to have a solid grasp of economics concepts in order to effectively quantify uncertainty for their employers.
In May 2023, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics noted the annual salary for actuaries was $120,000. Beyond the wages, the projected growth for this occupation is 22 percent from 2023 to 2033, with 2,200 new openings estimated annually.
Physics
While the majority of high school students are not introduced to physics until later in their education, physics plays an integral role in various fields, spanning computer science to finance. Physics majors are able to take courses that span across classical mechanics, thermodynamics and optics. Although this field of study foreshadows pathways to highly technical and theoretical applications, physics majors can pursue postgraduate education in medical and law school – while able to gain an advantage by differentiating themselves from more conventional majors in their area of interest.
For engineers, physics and math build the foundation for nearly any specialty – regardless of whether it is aerospace, environmental, mechanical or another engineering focus. Technological universities specialize in research in these areas, and students interested in entering academia can also consider research in theoretical physics and astrophysics.
Environmental engineering and environmental science
Common misconceptions regarding environmental science degrees include poor career prospects and low-paying salaries. However, a geological science degree can open pathways into geological engineering and policy positions. Environmental science majors also have the liberty to take classes that span chemistry, biology, physics and statistics to address the interdisciplinary challenges they face in their area of interest. Many environmental-related majors can also enhance their skill set through qualifications with geographic information systems (GIS), which can be valuable in the job market.
Many majors in this area can go on to join biotechnology companies, such as agricultural companies like Syngenta or Bayer, while others can pursue careers in journalism, policy making or education. Students interested in laboratory work can consider pursuing academia, where organizations like the National Science Foundation (NSF) and private donors are increasingly interested in funding research that addresses the effects of climate change.
