International Students: Choosing The Right Major For Success

International students often face the challenge of choosing a major that will lead to success during their academic journey abroad. While personal interests and passions are important, future career prospects and work permit privileges are also key factors to consider. In the United States, for instance, STEM-related fields are extremely popular among international students, particularly those from China and India. In 2022, computer science was the most common primary major for international students, with over half of the top 20 most popular majors being STEM-related. Other popular majors include business, engineering, liberal arts, health professions, and mathematics.

Computer science

Secondly, computer science graduates are in high demand and are among the highest-paid majors. Most computer science departments have graduate job placement rates above 80%, and most of these entry-level jobs have attractive starting salaries. The high demand for computer science majors can be attributed to the ever-increasing number of diverse jobs requiring a degree in this field. The major's focus on programming skills prepares students for various positions, including data analytics, web development, and consulting, with jobs available in companies ranging from small startups to large corporations.

Thirdly, computer science as a major offers flexibility in terms of specialisations and career paths. Students can combine computer science with other disciplines, such as architecture, electrical engineering, or molecular biology. Additionally, computer science has applications in multiple industries, including transportation, entertainment, and medicine, allowing students to find their niche.

Lastly, the availability of funding and financial assistance for international students pursuing computer science degrees is a significant factor. With the majority of colleges offering computer science programmes, students can find a variety of tuition rates and financial aid options to fit their budgets.

Business and management

International business degrees offer a broad foundation that prepares graduates for a variety of careers in the business field. Students can specialize in areas such as management accounting, international economics, entrepreneurship, human resources management, or supply chain management. They may also take courses in intercultural communication, international finance, information systems, marketing, and microeconomics, among others.

A key benefit of this major is the opportunity to gain a global perspective and enhance cultural awareness by interacting with people from diverse backgrounds. This first-hand training is invaluable to employers, especially those operating in a global business landscape. It also opens up doors to international management job opportunities and helps graduates stand out in a competitive job market.

Pursuing a business and management degree can lead to various career paths, including accounting, human resources management, marketing, financial auditing, advertising, foreign exchange trade, investment banking, and business consulting. These careers can span both the private and public sectors, as well as non-profit agencies.

With the increasing globalization of businesses, international business management strategies are becoming crucial for companies' growth. This major equips graduates with the skills and knowledge to navigate the complexities of the international business landscape, making them highly sought-after by employers.

Engineering

One of the main advantages of choosing an engineering major as an international student is the high demand for qualified engineers in the US. This means that employers are more likely to sponsor foreign workers for visas. Additionally, engineering is a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) field, so engineering majors qualify for STEM OPT work authorization, which grants an extra two years to work in the US after graduation.

Another benefit of studying engineering is the broad scope of career options it provides. While some engineering majors, such as computer engineering, prepare students for more specific career paths, general engineering programs offer a solid foundation in engineering principles and an introduction to various subfields. This flexibility allows graduates to work in different areas, including business or public policy related to engineering.

The skills acquired during an engineering degree are also highly transferable and sought-after by employers. Engineering students develop strong mathematical and scientific skills, as well as competence with technology, design, and computing software. They also learn critical thinking, analysis, problem-solving, teamwork, and leadership skills, which are valuable in any sector.

Finally, engineering is a rewarding field that allows professionals to positively contribute to society. Whether it's designing a new bridge or creating a simple "like" button on a website, engineers take pride in their work and the impact it has on the world.

Health professions

However, it is important to note that most medical schools will not accept prerequisites taken abroad, and pre-medical prerequisite science courses typically require grades reported on a US transcript. Therefore, early and proactive planning is critical for navigating prerequisite and major courses for international students interested in health professions.

The health professions major attracts students seeking a career that blends practical skills with a meaningful impact on global health. With the ongoing expansion in the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors, professionals with training in these areas are in high demand. This major offers diverse career paths, including government, international agencies, NGOs, or academia, providing a wide range of options for graduates.

Overall, the health professions is a rewarding and successful major for international students, offering both job security and the chance to make a significant contribution to global health improvement.

Liberal arts

Through a liberal arts education, international students can develop skills such as problem-solving and critical thinking, focusing on how to think rather than what to think. This is in contrast to the style of education in many other countries, which is often very knowledge- and fact-based.

International and global studies are popular majors at liberal arts colleges. These programmes often offer a range of specialisations, including regional or thematic focuses. For example, International Global Studies (IGS) at Middlebury offers areas of specialisation in African, East Asian, European, Global Gender and Sexuality, Global Security, Latin American, Middle East, Russian and East European, and South Asian Studies.

Other popular majors for international students at liberal arts colleges include transnational relations, which can be studied at Macalester, and global studies, which can be studied at Swarthmore.

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