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hen it comes to the toppaying careers, STEM majors – involving science, technology, engineering or math – are high on the list. In addition to paying well, STEM jobs are also in demand. According to the National Association for College and Employers’ list of academic majors, the top five highest percentage of student applicants who had at least one job offer by the time they graduated majored in computer science (68 percent), economics (61 percent), accounting, (61 percent) engineering (59 percent) and business administration (54 percent). Monica D. Thompson, the University of Houston’s executive director of career services, said there are numerous “high-skill, high-paying Monica Thompson jobs available for college graduates to get the ball rolling.” Below, Thompson shares with the Defender 10 top-paying careers for college grads that are on the rise, along with their average salary, areas of interests, why a career in the field is promising, and the attributes and skills it takes to succeed.
w APPLIED MATHEMATICIAN
Average salary: $54,300 to $96,500 Areas of interest: Actuary, systems biology and computational pharmacology, data mining and data privacy, computer animation and digital imaging, finance and economics, ecology, epidemiology, environment and climatology Why it’s promising: The demand for professionals with a deep mathematical knowledge is growing in many industries. Attributes/skills: • Problem-solving • Sharp analytic skills with the ability to listen effectively • Creativity and perseverance • Observational and investigative skills
w BUSINESS FINANCE
Average Salary: $56,000 Areas of interest: Financial and risk management analyst, underwriting manager, corporate and public finance, banking, insurance, personal financial planning, real estate, investment banking, money management, accounting and financial reporting. Why it’s promising: It takes money to make money, so the proverbial saying goes. Business finance careers are in demand because businesses have to consider their finances for many purposes, ranging from survival in bad times to bolstering the next success in good ones.
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DEFENDER | DECEMBER 7 | 2017
Attributes/skills: • Quantitative skills • Strong computer skills including spreadsheets, databases and presentation software • Good interpersonal skills and an effective listener • Sharp analytical skills • Innate problemsolver
BUSINESS MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Average salary: $58,000 Areas of interest: Network administration, database administration, web administration, systems development, technical support, education training and consulting Why it’s promising: As everevolving computers and technologies continue to change the way the world does business, the demand for careers in business management information systems continues to grow. Attributes/skills: • Effective analytical and problem-solving skills • Knowledge in a variety of computer areas including minor programming, software and hardware • Stay abreast of the latest technologies • Excellent interpersonal skills for effective communication with technical and non-technical colleagues and clients • Knowledge of industries, business areas or government agencies of interest • Excellent listening, verbal and written communication skills and patience
top-paying for colleg
By JASEMINE Defen
w COMPUTER SCIENCE
Average Salary: $60,000 Areas of Interest: Hardware and software development and design, programming, systems development, computer systems analyst and or engineer, computer programmer and web developer Why it’s promising: The field of computer science is used in every industry. Attributes/Skills: • Detailed-oriented • Logical • Works well under pressure • Strong interpersonal skills and able to communicates effectively with technical and non-technical colleagues
w CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT
Average salary: $54,000 to $89,000 Areas of interest: Commercial, residential, industrial, agricultural construction, heavy civil construction, field engineer, estimator, construction, project management,
budgeting, administration and management, engineering and technology, public safety and security Why it’s promising: As the nation’s existing infrastructure begins to disintegrate, and as regions all over the world continue to modernize, construction managers almost never have a shortage of work. Attributes/skills: • Excellent communication • Leadership and team management • Ability to negotiate, listen, think critically and solve problems • Ability to delegate tasks
w ELECTRICAL/COMPUTER/INDUSTRIAL/ SOFTWARE ENGINEERING
Average salary: $68,000 to $125,000 Areas of interest: Electrical/computer power electronics, power systems, control systems, digital signal processing,
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