Majors; IT, Health Science or Business Management

[Anonymous]

Daughter loves science, but doesn't want to practice (physician, nurse etc.); she's open to the other two majors. Anyone more marketable than the other?

TIA

[Anonymous]

As an undergrad, my suggestion is that science is the best route.

I would favor chemistry over something as broad as health science but it is hard to tell without more information.

Then some type of MBA, most likely at night, to round things out and support a long career doing lots of different things.

I really worry about the long term opportunities in IT. We are just about at the point where machines can build new versions of themselves.

While we are a long way from that being universal in manufacture/design of things, in software, I'm not so sure.

Furthermore, as the baby boom passes, the number of people who don't know enough IT to get by is dropping rapidly, kind of like there are no secretaries to type up things for anyone anymore.

[Anonymous]

Very little science like bio and chemistry in IT degree. If she likes subjects like these how about pharma?

I think health science + IT might be good. I see jobs in biomed industry for IT jobs.

[Anonymous]

I disagree. Many people know how to use an iPhone and Snapchat, but not everybody knows how to code, create an app or website, develop a new idea. People still need to maintain software and websites and develop applications for new products and processes that don't exist yet. And there needs to people to manage those coders and customers. There needs to be business people who understands IT to decide whether or not to invest in the new snapchat or the new drone software. People need to work on self driving cars, trains, airplanes, etc. If she's 20 there no way these things would be obsolete in her lifetime.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As an undergrad, my suggestion is that science is the best route.

I would favor chemistry over something as broad as health science but it is hard to tell without more information.

Then some type of MBA, most likely at night, to round things out and support a long career doing lots of different things.

I really worry about the long term opportunities in IT. We are just about at the point where machines can build new versions of themselves.

While we are a long way from that being universal in manufacture/design of things, in software, I'm not so sure.

Furthermore, as the baby boom passes, the number of people who don't know enough IT to get by is dropping rapidly, kind of like there are no secretaries to type up things for anyone anymore.

There will ALWAYS be a need for IT. Every office needs an IT team to keep their networks and machines running smoothly. Those jobs will never go away.

However, the need for an MBA has already come and gone. When I worked in software development, we used to chuckle at the candidates who came in with MBA degrees. An MBA is probably useful if you are specifically in charge of a business development team and that's fine. Otherwise, it's just three letters without a lot of value. If going into business is not your cup of tea, an MBA is a huge waste of time and money.

[Anonymous]

Most likely her classroom success (or not) will determine it. Chem, Bio, Calc freshmen year and throw-in computer science, she'll have an idea where she stands.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As an undergrad, my suggestion is that science is the best route.

I would favor chemistry over something as broad as health science but it is hard to tell without more information.

Then some type of MBA, most likely at night, to round things out and support a long career doing lots of different things.

I really worry about the long term opportunities in IT. We are just about at the point where machines can build new versions of themselves.

While we are a long way from that being universal in manufacture/design of things, in software, I'm not so sure.

Furthermore, as the baby boom passes, the number of people who don't know enough IT to get by is dropping rapidly, kind of like there are no secretaries to type up things for anyone anymore.

LOL....sorry, I just had to laugh at that statement. That is going to happen, far far into the future. We are nowhere near that point.

[Anonymous]

The more capable that machines become, the more IT will be relied upon. They go hand in hand.

[Anonymous]

Business management is wasted on someone who likes science, and will not make her especially employable.

IT (more formally called Management Information Systems or MIS) is a very employable field if she actually likes it. Many in IT do not have a college degree but rely on specific certifications to boost their education.

Computer Science goes more deeply into systems development, whether it's software and coding, or hardware development and design which frequently employs electrical engineers as well as computer engineers.

A computer science degree can make her highly employable if she obtains a good internship experience. The same is true for an MIS degree.

[Anonymous]

What about engineering? She might really like biological engineering.

[Anonymous]

Can't go wrong with Science. Healthcare entities are here to stay. if it's an option fro your daughter to have a minor, choose IT.

[Anonymous]

If there is any hope that your child will want to do something vaguely connected to healthcare, but doesn't want to work at a clinical job, I would suggest a hard science or engineering discipline...perhaps bio-mechanical engineering, or something else that would demonstrate an aptitude for hard science, but shares tenets of the healthcare world, and offers more employment opportunities.

As an analyst and PM who often hires and manages these graduates, I always prefer someone with a hard science background that stretched to learn how to program, or learned to specialize in analytical tools that suit the task. IT degrees out there tend to be siloed into development, management, or data science and administration. The fact of the matter is, many college grads of comp sci schools are so tightly tracked that they have very little room to move out a track that might not suit them well in the working world. If your child wants to move into computing from either science or engineering, it seems easier to stretch in that way, rather than vice versa. And, certainly, someone who can write complete sentences and is socially functional is becoming a rarer find. You might laugh, but it is true.

In terms of a business degree, if someone wants to move into a management position that moves away from the technical nuts and bolts is likely better off getting an MBA.

[Anonymous]

why not ask her where her interests lie?

[Anonymous]

There have been some really great suggestions. I second the suggestions for pharma and bio engineering. Additionally, the pharmacy profession has a lot of diversity - research, health care sites like hospitals and care centers, community care like a CVS, etc. It is a growing field and there is a ton of flexible work options for women with young families. But you have to get through organic chem first.

[Anonymous]

Computer Science with a concentration in Security (Cybersecurity). The job opportunity is huge and growing. She may be able to qualify for fully funded education through NSF grants. Here is one example: Scholarship for Service program: https://www.sfs.opm.gov