Students pursue higher education for many reasons, but one of the most important is future work. Numerous reports and studies link college or university education with higher pay, better job security, and even healthier behaviours. Based on 2016 data, Statistics Canada reports the average earnings of Canadian university graduates were higher than high school, trades, or college graduates.
Of course, there are pros and cons to each path. Picking university programs based only on the kind of job they will get you may not be the right choice for every student. However, many students expect their program of study to prepare them for successful and rewarding careers, so it’s important they make an informed choice.
Which Programs Lead to Related Employment?
While there is a lot of data showing which degrees lead to high-paying careers, it’s also worth looking at what students think about their future career paths. Maclean’s recently asked 23,000 students across Canada if their university programs were preparing them for work.
Unsurprisingly, programs like Nursing, Engineering, and Medicine had the highest confidence levels. Next, Business, Education, and Law were tied for fourth place. These programs are focused on teaching hard skills, so it makes sense that these students are optimistic. Pharmacy, Music, Drama, Design, and Math rounded out the rest of the list.
While some may believe Arts programs don’t prepare students to work in their field, it’s worth noting that Music, Drama, and Design all made the top 10. Moreover, the job outlook for Arts degrees is much better than stereotypes might suggest. In fact, a recent Maclean’s article discusses the increasing popularity of Arts graduates among employers. It notes that Arts programs’ focus on communication, critical thinking, and problem solving means these grads have the interpersonal skills to succeed in a variety of fields, making them compelling hires.
Curious about which hard skills and interpersonal (soft) skills are most valued by employers? Read our blogs to find out!
What Do These Results Mean?
While STEM programs are still the most stable source of future employment, they aren’t the only good option. What’s most important is that international students get a valuable education in a program they enjoy. Students may believe Nursing is the program that best prepares them for the job market. However, this doesn’t mean every student should study it! Do your research and find the program that fits your goals and budget.
At ApplyBoard, it’s our mission to empower people around the world to access the best education. If you’d like to know more about what programs are available, here are links to some of the most popular Canadian university programs:
Nursing
- Brock University: Bachelor of Science – Nursing
- University of Prince Edward Island: Bachelor of Science – Nursing
- Thompson Rivers University: Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Engineering
- University of Saskatchewan: Bachelor of Science in Engineering – Environmental Engineering
- University of Waterloo: Bachelor of Applied Science – Computer Engineering (Co-op)
- Lakehead University: Bachelor of Engineering – Software Engineering
Medicine
- University of Regina: Bachelor of Health Studies
- Trent University: Bachelor of Science – Biomedical Sciences (RBS)
- University of Northern British Columbia: Bachelor of Health Science – Biomedical Studies
Business
- Yorkville University Toronto: Bachelor of Business Administration – Project Management
- University of the Fraser Valley: Bachelor of Business Administration
- Wilfrid Laurier University: Bachelor of Business Administration (Optional Co-op)
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