One day, not very long from now when robots and other androids march into our offices, which jobs do you think they will take away first?rnAlready, accountants, bookkeepers, traders, data-entry operators and even lawyers and medical service professionals are losing their places to machines.rnEmployees in many other sectors are anxiously waiting to see when not whether, algorithms, automation, and artificial intelligence will make them redundant.rnBut there’s hope that jobs will survive and opportunities in many sectors and professions will continue to come.rnIn fact, a few of them will even thrive. But you may need to earn certain degrees as insurance for a well-lit career path.
So what are these “
best degrees for the future”?
The answer lies in which degrees are most in-demand in sectors and disciplines that are growing the fastest. And what are they?rnNo surprises here. The sectors/disciplines of the future are:rnEngineering (the professionals involved are engineers including hardware and software engineers)
1. Information technology (developers to cybersecurity experts)rn2. Finance and business (accountants, financial planners, economists)rn3. Medicine and healthcare (nurses, therapists, healthcare managers)rn4. Environment/sustainability (environment scientist/consultant)
What are the degrees that these fields require? They are, for example, degrees in computer programing, network management, and information science; business, statistics, finance, and math; nursing, therapy, and healthcare management; and environmental scientist/consultant, to name only very few.rnHere we take a look at a few of the best degrees in a few tops career fields. List of the best degrees for the future
Engineering degree
Electrical engineeringrnWhat you learn: Improvement of decides, telecom systems, domestic appliances, computer hardware, maintenance of power grids, power transmissionrnRoles: Design, build, and improve electronic and electrical devices and appliances, assemble and manage power grids, innovate better transmission, improve telecom
Computer engineeringrnWhat you learn: Create and install processors, circuit boards, other computer parts, design and utilize computer programsrnRoles: While hardware engineers design, develop, and improve computer systems and components including circuit boards, routers, and networks, software engineers develop and implement software
Electrical and computer engineeringrnWhat you learn: How to develop future technologies, such as advanced medical equipment and environment-friendly power systemsrnRoles: Research and development of new technologies for a range of sectors
Electronics and communication engineeringrnWhat you learn: Communication technologies, creation and maintenance of devicesrnRoles: Employment in computing, telecommunication, aerospace, electrical engineering industries
Chemical engineeringrnWhat you learn: Manufacturing processes that transform organic materials into products such as artificial fibre and gas; other subjects include biology, mathematics, chemistry, physics, biochemistry, chemical kinetics, and thermodynamicsrnRoles: Careers in nanotechnology, clothing, alternative energy and other industries
Information technology degreernComputer sciencernWhat you learn: Functioning of computer hardware, coding languages, digital system design, artificial intelligence, program designrnRoles: Computer systems analyst, web/app developer
Computer science and engineeringrnWhat you learn: How to build your own computer software/hardwarernRoles: Software/hardware developers, systems and program builders
Computer science and mathematicsrnWhat you learn: How computer science and mathematics intersect, computer tech and mathematical equations on which this tech is basedrnRoles: Those focused on tech and math; statistician and programmer
Computer science and artificial intelligencernWhat you learn: Understanding environments, commands, and responding appropriately using computer intelligencernRole: Implementation of AI in smartphones, computers, robotics, healthcare, manufacturing, transport
Information technologyrnWhat you learn: Designing, implementation, and maintenance of computer systems, tech networks, information securityrnRoles: Network architects, support specialists, research scientists; designing, installation and management of computer systems, networks
Management information systemsrnWhat you learn: Information networks, databases, sociology, psychology, Internet ethics, project managementrnRoles: Information systems manager, computer systems analyst, implement and use databases and systems such that they most fruitfully serve business and customers
Finance/business degree
FinancernWhat you learn: Corporate/individual finance and investment topics such as venture capital and private equity, accounting, management, and economicsrnRoles: Finance and investment manager and consultant, financial analyst, personal financial advisor
EconomicsrnWhat you learn: Management of funds nationally, internationally, how individuals and businesses manage money, the factors that influence the economyrnRoles: Economist, financial manager, financial consultant, risk analyst, expert providing insights into economic models and plans
AccountingrnWhat you learn: Keeping track of income and expenditure of businesses and individuals, allocating employee salary, checking sales figuresrnRoles: Accountant, auditor, budget analyst, risk assessor
International business/financernWhat you learn: International finance regulations and tax laws, traditional areas of business and finance degree coursesrnRoles: Business analytics manager, management analyst, logistics manager, banking manager, marketing manager
Business administrationrnWhat you learn: Sales, finance, marketing, operations, HRrnRoles: Manager/consultant in a variety of business areas
Finance and economicsrnWhat you learn: Theoretical overview of trade in money, economic models, marketing and management skillsrnRoles: Employment in banking and insurance sectors, financial analysts
BusinessrnWhat you learn: Marketing, accounting, negotiation, entrepreneurshiprnRoles: Various careers in marketing, sales, financial services
Medicine/healthcare degree
PharmacologyrnWhat you learn: Drugs and their interactionsrnRoles: Positions in pharmaceutical laboratories, pharmacies, hospitals
Physical therapyrnWhat you learn: Biology, anatomy, other areas of health sciencesrnRoles: Careers in hospitals, rehabilitation centres
NursingrnWhat you learn: Anatomy, biology, microbiology, nutrition, chemistry, nursing practice and theoryrnRoles: Careers in hospitals and clinics, treating the sick, offering emotional support to patients and their families, paperwork, helping doctors diagnose patients, providing advice and follow-up care
Medical technologyrnWhat you learn: Biology, chemistry, clinical laboratory functionsrnRoles: Jobs in hospitals and laboratories
Industrial/organizational psychologyrnWhat you learn: Psychology and human behaviour in work environmentsrnRoles: Specialized psychologists in industrial houses, coaching employees, identifying development needs, optimizing work-life, developing criteria for performance evaluation
Environment degree
Sustainability and renewable energyrnWhat you learn: Conserving energy, developing alternative energy sources, recycling, reducing pollution, energy-saving buildings, manufacturing, and sustainable transportrnRoles: Clean-car engineers, sustainability professionals/builders, renewable project engineers, energy engineer, turbine technicians
Environmental SciencernWhat you learn: Ways to enhance the energy efficiency, implement alternative energy sources, deal with environmental pollution
Roles: Roles in developing and implementing sustainable business practices, water quality scientist, environmental engineer/consultant, marine biologist, nature conservation officer, landscape architect, a toxicologist.