what engineering or financial degree will guarantee me a job after college?

[Serious]

I work in a high cost high wage area, so you will need to adjust these numbers downwards for your area.


I work in accounting, and I see how much everyone makes because I see payroll records all the time. I am at different companies too. I can tell you starting pay and ending pay for almost all careers


I'll start with my own.

In accounting, you absolutely must start with the big four. If you start next year, you'll start at 55k depending on if you live in a "high cost region" or not. It sounds low because it is. You will get raises based on the firm's economic performance and your own performance rating. I have always been rated a high performer, so I don't know what average person gets. My raises have been from 15-19% annually. 1/10 people perform at my level to be honest, so you probably won't get raises like that. From what I understand average people get 7%-10%. There have been years where the firm didn't give anyone raises because of the economy, and certain years when the firm never gave anyone a higher than average rating because no employee deserved it.

so after a few years you can make around 90-100k in public accounting. Partners make 500k+ depending on their clients, and directors make 400k

Usually people switch to industry after two-to-three busy seasons. When you switch to industry you can usually expect a 20-30% increase in pay plus access to stock options. Options are by far the biggest payoff in an area like mine.

In industry, people make around 80-100k for senior accountant roles. 100-150k for manager roles, and 150-200k for controller positions. CFOs and finance directors make 250-500k for mid-size companies. 1 million plus for big-time firms like google/apple.


About hours:

I have never worked less than 45 hours a week in public accounting. Most often I work 50-60 hours a week. During busy season I can clock in 80-90 hours. The hours don't really bother me.

Even in industry, you can expect to work 50 hour work-weeks. Most people in accounting work secret home shifts as well. I am trying not to do that anymore.



now I can speak on other careers based what I have seen in payroll data at various companies.


Engineers start off very high--- 120k. they don't get significant pay raises throughout their career though. They start to reach a ceiling at around 150-160k. the talented, extroverted guys rise to management and make lots of money. Most engineers don't have masters degrees. But there are certifications and licenses that help your career. Overall, engineering is the best bang for your buck degree. Even guys from the local state school can get paid. They also have very plush work environments ( free food, paid leisure time, etc),and I rarely see them work past 6-7pm.




Scientists get paid well too but..... Don't expect to make much without a phd. I see scientists start off at 70k and eventually get paid 150-200k. However, there are no entry-level scientist positions for people without PhDs. With a Biology degree or "insert science field here" degree. You will be a lab tech and that is about it. Lab techs may have to work graveyard shifts. Lab techs start at 40-50 k and get capped at 70-80k.




so overall this how I see careers in a nutshell.


Accounting/finance. --- Low pay in the beginning, good pay after lots of experience. low education investment (150 semester hours are required for the CPA exam), and classes are very easy. Brutal work hours, and only the strong make it to 150K salaries.

3 stars

Engineering -- low investment in education (only 4 years required) , but the classes are notoriously difficult and made to weed out the mentally weak. Starting pay is great and ending pay is great. Work hours are great, and the work environment is great.

5 stars


Science -- high education cost (PhD required), and the classes can be absolutely brutal depending on the field. Starting pay is so-so, ending pay is great. Plus, being a scientists is probably the most prestigious and respected career.


4.5 stars.


Other careers-- Investment banking and doctors. These are very lucrative careers but access is not granted to everyone like the above fields. most people reach for the stars and fall into the careers above.


Other degrees are basically irrelevant these days, but don't discount HR and sales. Those HR chicks make a lot of money. Quite honestly, being good looking seems to help a lot for HR positions.

Sales is by far the most lucrative field that anyone get into. However, by the time you are 18, you should know if you have the "gifts" for sales or not.

5* posting. My mom is a VP at a financial institution and says the same thing, especially about engineers

She says its not uncommon to see cats overseas raking in 20-40k a month

 

[Serious]

I agree about sales being the most lucrative. If I could pick an area to be talented in it would be sales by far. Unfortunately, I don't have the gift of gab.

Yep my bro has that gift, and has been eating like a king, duke makes well over 6figures a year....

 

[Sensitive Blake Griffin]

Its difficult because a "guaranteed" job doesn't reallly exist. But Accounting is one with a high demand, but a high GPA is a must, as is massive networking. You have to check and apply for every single accounting position available and find connections with anyone you can. As for giving up Law, good job, no offence but a 3.4 undergrad GPA would've cut you off from a massive number of opportunities. There is always a demand for Computer Science majors, but high GPA, experience, or a prestigious school are usually required for any good positions.
Unfortunately a job straight out of college is a failed dream for a lot of people, where do you live? That may help in deciding what your next move is. There are A LOT of finance positions, but most come from interning. Look out for that, and try to apply everywhere. If you know anybody in the industry , see if they can give you a boost. Find reputable people who can give you excellent recommendations. If you already graduated, then you have what, 6 months before you have to start paying the loans back? Try to get yourself enrolled somewhere, because the gov. will be on your ass

my accounting friends that have graduated and got jobs said their employers never aksed for their GPA or transcripts

 

[unit321]

i have a bachelors in criminal justice. was trying to go into law school with it BUT being that there's lawyers that can't find any jobs after law school and CJ doesn't have anything that i'm interested in. i was thinking about going back to school to do engineering or something else. what engineering field will guarantee me a job in most places in the country or the world where i can travel and move around to wherever if i wanted to? i also am not interested in doing anything where i have to talk a lot of people or customer service related.

i was looking at civil engineering, nuclear, petroleum engineering on the government website. will admit that i'm not all that in math BUT i can learn and put in that work to get good at it. basically, i want to land a job straight out of college. i also have loans to pay back. 25k and i haven't started paying shyt. will any of my credits from CJ be factored into the engineering thing? i graduated with a 3.4 gpa. maybe i could get a scholarship with that perhaps.

and can ya'll please explain to me what is it they do in civil engineering, nuclear engineering, or petroleum engineering. i'm really trying to get out of my parent's house, man, not be broke and struggling like right now.

i'm also looking into a degree into accountable or finances. something where i can work for an office, make money and guarantee me a job out of college. anybody can help me out here?

Get the law degree if you can.
Why did you go into criminal justice if you can't find anything related to that major you like?

Accounting.
Computer engineering.
Computer science.

Civil engineering has to do with building/fixing/designing bridges, tunnels and roads.
Nuclear engineering has to do with engineering nuclear power plants.
Petroleum engineering has to do with extracting oil and/or gas, refining oil, or research in oil and gas extraction and refinement.

Credits from your CJ degree can be used to fulfill the liberal arts requirements. It may take you two years to get another bachelor's degree.

 

[keepemup]

Any engineering degree. But if you really want money, chemical, environmental or petroleum.

 

[PartyHeart]

Petroleum engineering is extremely lucrative. I think after that it is probably mechanical engineering.
As far as finance, accountants are always being hired. People with finance BS's too.

 

[Da King]

Only an MD will guarantee you a job

 

[acri1]

For a four-year degree, best bang for your buck would be -

Engineering (almost any engineering degree is useful)
Comp Sci
Accounting
Finance
Pharmacy Tech/Medical Technology (or something in the Medical Field)

Science degrees can be profitable but you usually need a Masters or higher. Business Administration degrees can be good if you know the right people. Teaching degrees don't pay so well, but it's usually not hard to find a teaching job.


You could also go into IT with any degree, but you'd have to work your way up.

Overall, I'd say if you don't want to do Engineering, either go for something Medical-related or accounting. I know people with 2-year-degrees in Medical-related stuff (Nursing, Emergency Medical Technician, Paramedic, etc.) that are doing pretty well. Pharmacists in particular make good money, though you need a Bachelors for htat.

 

[El negrito de tejas]

Nothing is guaranteed after graduating.

If anything network your ass off and become apart of several organizations on campus.

 

[Blackout]

In accounting, you absolutely must start with the big four. If you start next year, you'll start at 55k depending on if you live in a "high cost region" or not. It sounds low because it is. You will get raises based on the firm's economic performance and your own performance rating. I have always been rated a high performer, so I don't know what average person gets. My raises have been from 15-19% annually. 1/10 people perform at my level to be honest, so you probably won't get raises like that. From what I understand average people get 7%-10%. There have been years where the firm didn't give anyone raises because of the economy, and certain years when the firm never gave anyone a higher than average rating because no employee deserved it.

so after a few years you can make around 90-100k in public accounting. Partners make 500k+ depending on their clients, and directors make 400k

Usually people switch to industry after two-to-three busy seasons. When you switch to industry you can usually expect a 20-30% increase in pay plus access to stock options. Options are by far the biggest payoff in an area like mine.

In industry, people make around 80-100k for senior accountant roles. 100-150k for manager roles, and 150-200k for controller positions. CFOs and finance directors make 250-500k for mid-size companies. 1 million plus for big-time firms like google/apple.


About hours:

I have never worked less than 45 hours a week in public accounting. Most often I work 50-60 hours a week. During busy season I can clock in 80-90 hours. The hours don't really bother me.

Even in industry, you can expect to work 50 hour work-weeks. Most people in accounting work secret home shifts as well. I am trying not to do that anymore.



now I can speak on other careers based what I have seen in payroll data at various companies.


Engineers start off very high--- 120k. they don't get significant pay raises throughout their career though. They start to reach a ceiling at around 150-160k. the talented, extroverted guys rise to management and make lots of money. Most engineers don't have masters degrees. But there are certifications and licenses that help your career. Overall, engineering is the best bang for your buck degree. Even guys from the local state school can get paid. They also have very plush work environments ( free food, paid leisure time, etc),and I rarely see them work past 6-7pm.




Scientists get paid well too but..... Don't expect to make much without a phd. I see scientists start off at 70k and eventually get paid 150-200k. However, there are no entry-level scientist positions for people without PhDs. With a Biology degree or "insert science field here" degree. You will be a lab tech and that is about it. Lab techs may have to work graveyard shifts. Lab techs start at 40-50 k and get capped at 70-80k.




so overall this how I see careers in a nutshell.


Accounting/finance. --- Low pay in the beginning, good pay after lots of experience. low education investment (150 semester hours are required for the CPA exam), and classes are very easy. Brutal work hours, and only the strong make it to 150K salaries.

3 stars

Engineering -- low investment in education (only 4 years required) , but the classes are notoriously difficult and made to weed out the mentally weak. Starting pay is great and ending pay is great. Work hours are great, and the work environment is great.

5 stars


Science -- high education cost (PhD required), and the classes can be absolutely brutal depending on the field. Starting pay is so-so, ending pay is great. Plus, being a scientists is probably the most prestigious and respected career.


4.5 stars.


Other careers-- Investment banking and doctors. These are very lucrative careers but access is not granted to everyone like the above fields. most people reach for the stars and fall into the careers above.


Other degrees are basically irrelevant these days, but don't discount HR and sales. Those HR chicks make a lot of money. Quite honestly, being good looking seems to help a lot for HR positions.

Sales is by far the most lucrative field that anyone get into. However, by the time you are 18, you should know if you have the "gifts" for sales or not.

I'm thinking about doing accounting.

You said they have brutal hours right?

The job I'm at now is 12 hours a day so I'm already used to brutal hours.

I thought about doing science but Lab Techs schedule is annoying with their graveyard shifts.

 

[Audemar]

I'd recommend Chemical Engineering to an undecided engineering major, but I'm biased towards it so it may not be for you. As for a major that guarantees a job, I wouldn't recommend a single one. Sure you have the majors that have a higher employment possibilities directly out of college, but in today's world, you need to network before leaving college, which where most people mess up. Just getting the degree doesn't mean a job is on reserve for you; the post-graduation job search is easier for certain majors though. I can only speak on engineering, but, with that said, Nuclear and Petroleum Engineering are sort of specializations and both are high paying, especially Petroleum.However, I can't think of too many colleges that have dedicated programs for those, hence specialization. A good "general" engineering field would be Mechanical since there is much less restriction on which industry you can work in; Chemical also falls into this category to some degree. MechE's also constitute a significant portion of the engineering workforce so it may very well be what you're looking for.

You should also know that choosing a major based on things like job prospects or base salary is not recommended. You want to have somewhat of an affinity (a high level of affinity is even better) for what you're planning to do. I have several friends who chose engineering based on the prospects/salary and they're no longer engineering majors; I'm talking after going through only 1-2 semesters of the coursework. Do some research to make sure that it's something that you really want to do and not just because of the high job prospects. You said you aren't really good at Math, but that shouldn't be a problem as long as you're willing to put in the extra effort. Besides, engineering majors typically only take about 16 credits of Math or 4 Math classes in a 120-130 credit program. On the subject of credits, since Criminal Justice falls more of the social/behavioral science side of things, probably the only transferable credits are those of general education type courses.

 

[Camile.Bidan]

I'm thinking about doing accounting.

You said they have brutal hours right?

The job I'm at now is 12 hours a day so I'm already used to brutal hours.

I thought about doing science but Lab Techs schedule is annoying with their graveyard shifts.

This is all public accounting....

On a typical busy season client I would work 12-15 hours on a weekdays and then 8 hours on Saturday.

One night we stayed until 2am on a Friday because our senior manager needed something done by Saturday morning. It was our choice to stay and the senior manager was actually upset that we "overworked" ourselves.



On an IPO client it.... It can easily get into 100+ Hours a week. I try to avoid IPOs. I was on one for 3 weeks after busy season this year. My typical work hours were like this: I got in at 9am and stayed until 11pm to 12 midnight everyday. Then I worked from 9 to 7 on Saturday, and I even worked on a random sunday！ there is so much work get done, and the client's expectations were completely unrealistic. They told me they wanted me as permanent team member, and I told them flat-out "no!"


Some people will have a 12/31 client (fiscal year end), then have another client with a 6/30 or 3/31 fiscal. That basically means a non-stop busy season.

 

[CrimsonTider]

This is all public accounting....

On a typical busy season client I would work 12-15 hours on a weekdays and then 8 hours on Saturday.

One night we stayed until 2am on a Friday because our senior manager needed something done by Saturday morning. It was our choice to stay and the senior manager was actually upset that we "overworked" ourselves.



On an IPO client it.... It can easily get into 100+ Hours a week. I try to avoid IPOs. I was on one for 3 weeks after busy season this year. My typical work hours were like this: I got in at 9am and stayed until 11pm to 12 midnight everyday. Then I worked from 9 to 7 on Saturday, and I even worked on a random sunday！ there is so much work get done, and the client's expectations were completely unrealistic. They told me they wanted me as permanent team member, and I told them flat-out "no!"


Some people will have a 12/31 client (fiscal year end), then have another client with a 6/30 or 3/31 fiscal. That basically means a non-stop busy season.

You forgot to add that all the work you do most of it amounts to nothing.

Especially audit.

You work all the longs hours and your work never means anything ultimately aside from documentation

 

[superunknown23]

Aerospace Engineering: You can work as an aero engineer or mechanical engineer in all kinds of industries

 

[Camile.Bidan]

You forgot to add that all the work you do most of it amounts to nothing.

Especially audit.

You work all the longs hours and your work never means anything ultimately aside from documentation

I wouldn't say that. After being inspected by the PCOAB, I can tell you that all work matters.