Deciding on a major is tough enough without having the added stress of today’s failing economy casting doubt on chosen career paths. To help smooth those creases of concern, The Seahawk set out to find the top majors in the current job market where security, industry growth and demand are high.

A Forbes article published earlier this summer indicated that within the current economic climate, several industries are experiencing growth. Those graduating with degrees in education, biological sciences, computer and information systems, communications and the health industry (especially nursing) are more likely to find jobs.

Perhaps the most surprising of these results is the trending education major. While this profession has seen its ups and downs within the past few years, new job growth is in the technical and trade school industry, which according to Forbes has grown 17 percent in the last year.

However, while Forbes reports on the latest findings of job growth on a national trend, North Carolina is exempt from that particular result, according to the dean of the Watson School of Education, Dr. Kenneth Teitelbaum.

“Unlike many states, North Carolina’s teacher education programs have historically produced only about half of the teachers needed in the state annually, which has proven to be very helpful to our graduates,” said Teitelbaum. “When the economy turns around and large numbers of teachers feel confident to retire, there will probably be a high demand for teachers in the state and our graduates should be in strong demand again.”

Education is the only exemption in the results for North Carolina students. The Forbes article highlighted the specific need for health care professionals and the nursing field as demand for them is constantly expanding. According to the latest poll taken by the school of nursing, 94.49 percent of alumni between 2001 and 2009 found jobs, the highest employment rate of any major offered at UNCW.

Fortunately for all UNCW students, all of the top five majors decided by the Forbes analysis of the current job market are available as undergraduate degrees. With a degree in any one of these majors, Forbes reports that, “Recent graduates with these majors who are now applying for employment enter a job market that has higher net profit margins—and higher likelihood to add employees—than other industries during these tough economic times.”