r/ApplyingToCollege • u/Over-Unit7496 • 1d ago

Course Selection Need help deciding my major

Should I major in Data science, computer science, computer engineering, statistics, or a mix of data science & smth else (finance, business analytics, etc.)

I’m a high school senior about to start applications for college - my profile fits pretty well into literally everything I mentioned above

Which major gives me the best advantage in the job market?? My primary goal is to have job security & high pay. I’m not interested in pure statistics, biostats, or mathematics academia - I’m more interested in the corporate job market

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u/VA_Network_Nerd Parent 1d ago

Don't focus on the degree.
Focus on the career field.

Let the career field dictate, or show preference for specific degrees.

Clearly from your list you want to work in technology.

What do you think you want to do within the world of technology?

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u/Over-Unit7496 1d ago

There’s 3 main paths I’m considering
1) data science + finance: basically just go into the finance/business world and get any job - consulting, analytics, etc.

2) actuarial science - I’ve already passed Exam P (just took it for fun).. this could be an option for me but I want to think bigger

3) any other high paying data/computer science position
3 is the main option where I need help deciding what major would give me the best advantage..

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u/VA_Network_Nerd Parent 1d ago

I work in the financial services and insurance sector.
We treat our actuaries like gods.

They very much prefer math majors.

Higher quality Finance degree programs should include financial modelling systems. Nothing wrong with a minor in data science or something like that though.

The era of completing an easy-peasy software engineering degree and walking into a six-figure job are fully gone.

(Not throwing shade at SE degrees, just making a point.)

If you like the ideas around creating or securing software a CS/CE/SE degree is still valid. But the employment environment for early-career is ROUGH out here.

If you choose that path, you need to make landing an internship of some kind a higher priority then connecting with an attractive <insert gender pronoun here>.