What College Degree is Best for your Child?

If your child loves science, you’ve probably wondered: What degree should they pursue to give them the best chance of finding a great job after college? With so many options, it can be overwhelming to know which path to guide them toward.

The good news is that science and engineering fields offer some of the most stable and high-paying careers—and there’s clear data to help narrow the choices.

According to Forbes, engineering fields dominate the job market for science and technology graduates. Here’s how they rank in terms of job availability in the U.S. (according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2020):

• Mechanical Engineers: Approximately 293,960 employed.
• Civil Engineers: Approximately 318,300 employed.
• Industrial Engineers: Approximately 308,400 employed.
• Electrical Engineers: Approximately 185,220 employed.

Together, these four fields account for in the workforce. If your child is drawn to problem-solving, building, or designing, these degrees are worth considering.

One of the most practical questions to ask when exploring college degrees is: What will the return on investment look like? Engineering degrees offer strong earning potential right out of college.

Graduates in these fields can expect starting salaries between $45,000 and $65,000 per year. And with experience, those numbers only go up!

As of May 2020, the median annual wages for each of these professions were: 

• Mechanical Engineers: $90,160
• Civil Engineers: $88,570
• Industrial Engineers: $88,950
• Electrical Engineers: $100,830

Remember, this list above isn't fresh-from-college grads... these are salaries of trained professionals who have been working in their field for 1-40 years.

If you want to help your child prepare for a degree in science or engineering, it’s never too early to start. Here are a few tips to set them up for success:

Encourage STEM Activities:

• Robotics, coding, and science projects can spark interest and build skills.
• Hands-on learning is key to developing problem-solving abilities.

• Math is the foundation for all engineering fields. Encourage mastery of algebra, geometry, and calculus.
• Help them explore physics and chemistry to see how science connects to real-world problems.

• Look into the different types of engineering and what they involve. Does your child enjoy building things (civil engineering) or working with systems (industrial engineering)?
• Shadowing professionals or attending career fairs can provide valuable insight.

• Understanding the cost of college and the earning potential of different careers helps kids make informed decisions.
• Engage their help in planning for their college time by mapping out a saving plan ahead of time, tracking it on a monthly and yearly basis.

Choosing the right degree isn’t just about finding a good-paying job—it’s about giving your child the tools to thrive in a field they’re passionate about.

If your child loves science and problem-solving, engineering could be the perfect fit. And with such high demand in these fields, you can feel confident that their education will be a worthwhile investment in their future.

The choices you make now to encourage their curiosity and skill development can set the stage for a lifetime of success.

What degree do you think would be the best match for your child? Let’s start the conversation - did you know that Aurora teaches engineering courses in her online science program, rotating to a different engineering field each month so kids get a taste of what each one is like? Click for a sample class here.