These 7 high-paying career programs students neglect actually power the labour market.
When it comes to choosing a career path, many college and university students often chase after some of the most popular career courses / programs like medical, engineering, and law, overlooking the less glamorous fields. Sometimes, they make these decisions under the influence of their peers, parents, or industry hype, and sweep the secret industry powerhouse under the rug.
The irony is, some of these underrated courses not only offer high-paying career opportunities but also serve as the backbone of the labour market. These careers are in high demand yet remain underexplored by students.
In this article, we explore seven high-paying career courses that students neglect, which actually power the labour market.
7 High-paying Career Programs Students Neglect that Actually Power the Labour Market
Career happiness sometimes doesn’t come from choosing popular and highly competitive courses, but exploring less competitive yet high-demand and high-paying career paths that form the indispensable structure of the global labour market. Below are 10 underexplored career paths students can take advantage of.
1. Business Administration
The global economy, from the beginning to this day, is powered by businesses, whether it’s manufacturing, Services, or sales. These commercial enterprises require professionals to oversee and supervise the overall business operations.
Business Administration is one of the most sought-after career programs in the global labour market. Every business, whether small, medium, or large, relies on strategic planning, critical decision-making, and efficient organization of people and resources for continuous growth.
These professionals don’t only work in an environment that tells them apart but positions them as one of the highest-paid professionals. According to the BLS, the average annual salary for Operations Specialist Managers ranges from $83,000 – $105,000.
2. Accounting
Accounting is one of the career programs that most students overlook. How do industries manage their finances, track income, expenses, and profits? The engine that powers industries and keeps them running in the competitive market is their ability to meticulously manage their finances.
In fact, corporate finance management goes beyond a pen and a calculator. It requires the experience of a professional accountant to manage complex financial reports.
There’s no doubt that this often-neglected career path is one of the engines that power the global labour market. According to an Investopedia report, a professional accountant earns an average annual salary of $199,000.
3. Human Resource Management
Human Resource Management is the effective management of employees in a company to maximize employee performance, which helps companies gain a competitive advantage.
HRM is one of the most sought-after professions in the global labour market, with an over 78% employability rate. This career path has been around for over 3,000 years, yet only a few students consider pursuing a degree.
If you are thinking a choosing a high-paying, yet less competitive career program, then HRM is worth consideration. The annual salary of a professional human resource manager is around $83,000 – $93,000.
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4. Marketing
Every business wants its products and services to get to the right audience or customers as many as possible, and there’s no better way to achieve this than adopting a strategic marketing approach.
Marketers are the backbone of every organization, making them invaluable in the global labour market. Marketing is a versatile skill employable in any industry. Considering a career in marketing could be your first step to landing a high-paying job.
According to Investopedia, the global expenses on marketing will hit $4.7 trillion in 2025.
5. Logistics and Supply Chain Management
According to the Lagos Business School, Logistics and supply chain management have been described as the planning and coordination of the activities necessary to achieve the desired levels of service at the lowest possible cost.
Supply chain professionals are one of the most sought-after employees, especially as industries’ growing demand for cost-effective processing of raw materials to finished products.
This career path, which is often neglected by a lot of students, is a gold mine for those who choose The annual salary of a supply chain manager ranges from $111,000 – $142,000, according to Salary.com.
6. Public Relations
Every organization, whether government or privately owned, needs a public relations officer who oversees the role in shaping the public perception of an organization while maintaining its reputation.
This category of employees is an invaluable part of any organization, making them highly employable in the labour market. Students looking for a high-paying, yet less competitive career path should consider Public Relations as an option.
According to Glassdoor, a work-life platform, the average annual salary of a publicist in the US is $66k – $115k.
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7. Journalism
Journalism is one of the most respected professions in the world, yet only a few students choose to pursue a career in this field. Information dissemination is vital to keep people connected to happenings and trends, but not all information is considered consumable. Journalism bridges this wide gap between the public and fact.
Journalism is one of the most high-paying professions that powers the global labour market. Glassdoor reports that the average annual salary of a journalist is between $53,000 – $82,000.
Conclusion
Students who want to win in the labour market often choose a less competitive, yet high-demand career path. In this article, we have researched and listed the seven most sought-after careers in the global labour market with little competition. Looking to pursue a degree? Then consider one of these career paths that will not only land you a high-paying job, but also a feeling of satisfaction.
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