What Are the Best Degrees and Jobs for College Graduates?

Many college students enter college clueless on what they want to do with their lives. Unfortunately for them, their colleagues and co-students have already decided on a career that will basically guarantee a high paying job. So what jobs are recommended according to the current job market? As you may have guessed, engineering is still listed as one of the highest paying and best careers on the job market.

According to a recent article posted on CNN Money, the highest paying and most readily available job market includes Information sciences and systems, with a starting income of $47,182. Economics and finance is next in line with a starting income of $44,588. The third most readily available and highest likelihood of finding a job path to take is Civil Engineering with an average starting income of $46,084. Chemical Engineering also has a fairly high starting income at $56,269, although the job market is slightly less favorable in that category.

Accountants are also needed and there are lots of jobs out there starting at $44,928 a year. Business administration and management starts at an average of $41,155. A less common career path is History which offers jobs of $33,071 a year.
Other careers listed which are also very available on the current job market are mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science (all averaging above $50,000 a year starting income), as well as Psychology and Political science and government. English majors have gone down two tenths of a percent with an initial salary of $31,385 and Sociology is also down with a starting income of $31,096 a year.

It is also important to consider which companies offer the most entry-level jobs for college graduates.

Companies with the highest number of entry-level positions available include Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Lockheed Martin, Walgreen Company, Pricewaterhouse Coopers and Deloitte& Touche USA. College graduates who majored in marketing, business, management, accounting, and computer science are among the most highly sought after.

There is also good news for liberal arts grads. Half the companies seem to be recruiting for sales and marketing stress excellent interpersonal and communication skills as well as the ability to work. Liberal art majors tend to do well in positions where communication skills are highly valued.

Small companies are also doing a majority of the hiring of recent college graduates. Small companies may in fact be the best place to find employment.

It was also recently noted in an article by Rob Kelley, that adults with a bachelor's degree earn an average of $51,554 compared to the amount of $28,645 of those with only a high school diploma.

It is also important to consider some of the best jobs in America. These include software engineers, college professor, financial adviser, human resources manager, physician assistant, market research analyst, computer IT analyst, Real Estate Appraiser, Pharmacist, and Psychologist. These jobs are based on income and stress level, as well as work environment, hours, creativity, and ease of entry and advancement in the field.

The number one job of software engineer is especially great because they are needed all over America. Skills needed are designing, developing and testing computer programs, advanced math skills, and creative problem-solving ability.

Number two is to be a college professor. Higher demand for faculty is the result of increased enrollment in colleges and technical schools. Professors are often hired at entry level of a master's and professional experience. Demands are especially high for health, science and business fields.

Financial advisors are also in the demand category as a well paying and people-friendly profession. Financial planning is no longer just for the rich due to the fact that more and more people are planning their own retirement savings.

Number four on the list of America's best jobs is a Human Resources Manager. This job requires strategic planning and employee programs that will benefit the bottom line. International HR experience is especially valuable and the goal of Human Resource Managers is to make work more rewarding for workers. Education required is a Bachelor's degree, often followed by master's level work or professional certification.

The fifth best job in America, according to CNN Money.com is a physician assistant. This job requires four years of college plus 2-3 years of training in an accredited program, plus national exam for certification. Perks include a doctor's salary and banker's hours. PA's can work part or full time in a variety of setting and they do not have to do with the ultimate pressure of being the last decision maker.

For more great jobs, check out CNNMoney.com