With the economy as it is, one might think students would be choosing majors that should last tough times, like accounting, computer science and economics. According to a new article from the San Diego Union-Tribune, students actually aren’t.

The most popular majors at California universities have remained virtually unchanged over the past years and the fastest-growing majors don’t match the professions that are projected to grow the most by 2016, according to the Union-Tribune

However, some college counselors reported that students are asking about practical majors or backups. More than half of all students in the California area don’t end up in careers related to their majors. Basically, what you choose may end up not mattering much. The article says that internships and work experience may end up mattering more.

Tom Dalton, director of undergraduate programs at the University of San Diego told the Union-Tribune that students tend to go for majors that they think are more satisfying personally whereas our parents tended to choose majors that were practical or good for a good income and job security.

A survey about to come out by the National Association of College and Employers shows that accounting majors had the best job offers this past spring, with 53.1 percent of graduates being offered positions. Computer science and economics came in second and third. Graphic design and journalism were the two jobs where students had the worst time finding job offers.

At USD, mechanical engineering and communication studies have grown over 15 percent over the past two years, according to the Union-Tribune. If you want to try out the fastest-growing careers, the U.S. Department of Labor says that systems analysts, software engineers, finance advisers and substance-abuse counselors are it. Also, college advisors have been relatively happy that students aren’t just pursuing what majors are popular right now, and doing what they love.

Our Take

I think it’s good for students to do what they love to do.  Why do something just because it’s popular or pays well?  I am a perfect example of this I think.  As much as I love having nice things, I love to write first and foremost, and I’d do it even if it didn’t pay a thing. Of course I’d have to pay the bills though, so I’d work somewhere, but regardless. I would still be writing. So, those freshmen and sophomores out there searching for the right major? Make sure you love what you do.