A starting point for the question “what can I do with this major?” These are common examples, not a complete or personal list: most majors lead to far more careers than any table can show, especially with internships, extra skills, or a graduate degree.
Majors and Common Careers
| Major | Common career paths |
|---|---|
| Accounting | Accountant, auditor, tax specialist |
| Biology | Lab technician, research assistant; pre-med and pre-vet tracks |
| Business Administration | Operations, marketing, sales, management trainee |
| Chemistry | Lab analyst, quality control, pharmaceutical research |
| Communications / English | Writing, editing, marketing, public relations |
| Computer Science | Software developer, data analyst, IT and systems administration |
| Economics | Financial analyst, consulting, policy research |
| Education | K–12 teaching, curriculum and instructional design |
| Graphic Design | UI/UX design, marketing design, freelance design |
| Mechanical Engineering | Product design, manufacturing, automotive and aerospace |
| Nursing | Registered nurse and other clinical roles (licensing exam required) |
| Psychology | Human resources, UX research, counseling (with a graduate degree and license) |
What a Skills Gap Is
A skills gap is the difference between what your major teaches and what a specific job expects. A communications major aiming for a data-heavy marketing role, for example, may need spreadsheet or analytics skills that the degree doesn’t fully cover. Spotting a gap early, while you still have electives and time for projects, is much easier than closing it after graduation.
How to Close a Gap
- Read real job postings for roles you want, and list the skills that keep showing up.
- Compare that list with your courses, and mark what’s missing.
- Fill the gap on purpose: an elective, a minor, a certificate, an internship, or a project you can show.
- Show it on your résumé, in a portfolio, or in a short project write-up.
Where to Get Real Guidance
- Your school’s career center: counselors, résumé reviews, and often alumni contacts.
- Alumni from your program, who can tell you what actually happened after graduation.
- O*NET OnLine and the Occupational Outlook Handbook (linked under Sources): free US government guides to what a job involves, the skills it needs, pay, and outlook.