That age-old tug of war – follow your heart or follow your head – is playing out sharply this year as a record-setting collection of college-bound students faces a life-shaping decision:
Which major to choose?
The economy is shaky. Employers want more people with degrees in science, math, technology and engineering. Parents are hovering as the cost of college rises. For many students, getting into college was a tough enough hurdle as the largest high school graduating class in the nation's history competed for admission to top-tier universities.
The pressures and uncertainties have left many feeling torn.
"My future's kind of cloudy," said Aaron Gasper of San Leandro, who could have been speaking for college freshmen everywhere as he pondered a major during a recent orientation session at California State University, Sacramento.
Psychology was on his mind. So were criminal justice and journalism. So was making a good living. But as the football recruit mulled things over with his parents, he found confusion the strongest pull of all:
"I'm not really sure what to do. It kind of has me worried."
Such worries are common. Choosing a degree is so confounding that half of all college students change majors at least once, said Clifford Adelman, senior associate at the Institute for Higher Education Policy in Washington, D.C.
"It's part of the journey," he said.
In recent years, that journey has brought some new twists and turns, including a changing job landscape and shifting ideals among young people.
This year, U.S. high schools produced a record 3.3 million graduates. For those headed for college, it created a logjam at the nation's most prestigious universities, with more students than ever turned down during admission season.
As the population bubble ripples forward, the nation's labor force will grow by 12.8 million, or 8.5 percent, between 2006 and 2016, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Plenty of jobs out there
Despite the current economic slump, plenty of new jobs will open up or be created, the statistics show. Those not going to college will find an abundance of low-skilled jobs, such as retail sales, food service and home health care, as well as medical and technology jobs requiring some training.
Those pausing for college will enter an economy that increasingly puts a premium on science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
National data show the fastest growing occupation between 2006 and 2016 will be network systems and data communications analysts. These computer-oriented jobs, which require a bachelor's degree, are projected to grow from 262,000 to 402,000, a 53.4 percent increase.
Computer software engineers will spike from 507,000 to 733,000, or 44.6 percent.
Notable job growth also will come in other fields requiring postsecondary education, including teachers, accountants, financial analysts, veterinarians, mental health counselors, substance abuse social workers, database administrators, physical therapists, physician assistants and registered nurses.
Anxieties about the future
With college bills rising, many parents are nudging their sons and daughters toward occupations with plentiful openings or higher pay. In the past five years, college tuition and fees have risen from 6 to 10 percent each year, according to the Consumer Price Index.
"A lot of times, the parents are the ones pressing the kids: 'What are you going to do? How are you going to make money?' " said Chris Dito, project manager of the internship and career center at University of California, Davis.
"Often it can be overwhelming," she said, adding that the pressure at times is self-inflicted. "I once had a student come in crying and telling me, 'I want to be a doctor, but I don't like blood.' "
As worries grow about the environment, college and career counselors have seen more students pursue "green technology" and other environmentally oriented disciplines. They also have seen a growing number of students interested in community service careers.
Call The Bee's Deb Kollars, (916) 321-1090.
