Students often gravitate towards similar majors when they apply to college. Oftentimes, these majors are popular because students have been exposed to them in some way in high school. While popular majors can seem like the “safe” choice, they aren’t always the best fit for students. Alternate majors can offer more opportunity, less competition, and a better match for a student’s interests and goals. By thinking beyond the most common options, students can think creatively about ways to combine their interests.
We started with the top 10 most popular majors that the University of California, Irvine delivered at the UC Conference in 2024. Then, the College Calm team worked together to come up with alternative majors that students should consider. Although most colleges do not admit students to a particular major, applying to a very popular or oversubscribed major can make admission more competitive. The US Department of Education estimates that college students, on average, change their major TWO times during the course of their undergraduate education. This is a list of ideas to get students and families to think more deeply about different concentrations/majors/pathways offered in college. This is NOT a comprehensive list; there are many other careers, majors, and skills for students to explore.
Psychology
| Skills & Aptitudes | Curiosity About Human Behavior, Empathy and Emotional Intelligence, Critical Thinking, Strong Communication Skills, Patience and Perseverance |
| Careers | Clinical Psychologist, Counselor or Therapist, School Psychologist, Academic Advisor, User Experience (UX) Researcher, Cognitive Science Researcher, Human Resources Specialist, Industrial-Organizational Psychologist, Market Research Analyst, AI Ethics Consultant, Forensic Psychologist, Social Worker, Public Relations Specialist |
| Alternate Majors | Sociology, Social Work, Neuroscience, Communication Disorders, Forensics, Criminology, Cultural Anthropology, Consumer Behavior, Behavioral Economics, Biopsychology, Cognitive Science, Human Resources, Organizational Leadership/Psychology, Human Development, Educational Psychology |
Business & Economics
| Skills & Aptitudes | Strategic Thinking, Leadership, Communication Skills, Project Management skills, Analytical skills, Problem-solving, Technical and Digital Skills, Relationship Building |
| Careers | Management/Executive, Project Manager, Supply Chain Manager, Financial Analyst, Accountant, Auditor, Investment Banker, Content Strategist, SEO/SEM Specialist, Marketing Analyst, Public Relations Specialist/Manager, Sales Representative, Customer Success Manager, Management Consultant, Data Analyst, Business Systems Analyst, IT Project Manager, Business Intelligence Analyst, HR Manager/Coordinator, Recruiter/Talent Acquisition, Customer Experience Manager |
| Alternate Majors | Global Studies, Legal Studies, Political Science, Accounting, Marketing, Supply Chain Management, Industrial Technology & Packaging, Agricultural Business, Data Analytics/Data Science, Strategic Communications, Real Estate, Math, Financial Statistics, Communication, Politics-Philosophy-Economics (PPE), Information Science, Entrepreneurship, Artificial Intelligence, Sports Management, Human Organization,Hospitality Management, Recreation & Tourism, Psychology, Sociology |
Biology
| Skills & Aptitudes | Curiosity about Living Things, Observation and Attention to Detail, Logical and Analytical Thinking, Strong Memory and Retention, Patience and Precision, Problem-Solving, Data Analysis and Interpretation |
| Careers | Physician / Surgeon, Genetic Counselor, Clinical Research Coordinator, Nurse, Biotech Research Associate, Pharmaceutical Sales Representative, Marine Biologist, Environmental Consultant, Molecular Biologist, Bioinformatics Specialist, Scientific/Medical Writer, Biostatistician, Museum or Science Center Educator, Health Policy Researcher, Nutritionist / Dietitian |
| Alternate Majors | Public Health, Physical Sciences (Chemistry, Biochem, Cognitive Science, Marine Biology, Anthropology) Natural Resources, Global Health, Environmental Science, Health Sciences, Microbiology, Nutrition, Human Ecology, Forestry/Fire Science, Animal Science |
Political Science
| Skills & Aptitudes | Critical Thinking, Communication Skills, Research Skills, Data and Policy Analysis, Communication (written and oral), Understanding of Political Systems, Ethical Reasoning, Negotiation & Diplomacy, Organization, Management |
| Careers | Policy Analyst, Legislative Assistance, Public Affairs Specialist, City Planner, Foreign Services Officer, Civil Service Administrator, Lawyer, Paralegal, Investigative Journalist, Foreign Services Officer, Human Rights Advocate, International Development Specialist, Policy Advisor, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, Government Relations Manager, Campaign Manager, Political Consultant, Fundraising Manager, Grassroots Organizer, Lobbyist, |
| Alternate Majors | Sociology, Public Policy, Political Economics, International Relations, Public Health, Public Administration, History, Government, American Studies, Philosophy, Military Science, Urban Studies, Politics, Asian/African/Gender/Chicano/ Indiginous/Queer Studies |
Engineering
| Skills & Aptitudes | Interest in Math and Ccience, Analytical Skills, Problem Solving, Teamwork and Collaboration, Attention to Detail, Data Analysis, Innovation and Creativity, Ethics |
| Careers/Types of Engineering Majors | Aerospace, Architectural, Biochemical, Bioengineering, Biomedical, Chemical, Civil, Computer, Construction, Electrical, Environmental, Industrial, Manufacturing, Marine, Materials, Mechanical, Nuclear, Petroleum, Robotics, Structural |
| Alternate Majors* *Some of these majors may need further education to secure a job as an engineer |
Applied Mathematics, Astrophysics, Chemistry, Construction Management, Engineering Physics, Engineering Science, Engineering Technology, Human Centered Engineering, Product Design, Materials Science, Math, Mechatronics, Physics, Product Development, Robotics |
Nursing
| Skills & Aptitudes | Clinical Skills, Time Management, Empathy, Mastering New Healthcare Technology, Communication, Attention to Detail, Teamwork, Compassion, Physical Strength, Endurance |
| Careers/ Areas of Nursing | Geriatrics, Neurology, Pediatrics, Oncology, Obstetrics, Labor & Delivery, Neonatal, Midwifery, Emergency Care, Cardiac, Dermatology, Surgery, Home and/or Hospice Care, Public Health, EMT, Anesthesiology, School Nurse, Nurse Educator, Travel Nurse, Radiology, Rehabilitation, Mental Health |
| Alternate Majors | Health Sciences, Medical Technology, Psychology, Pharmacy, Public Health, Global Health, Kinesiology, Exercise Sciences, Social Work, Food Systems/Nutrition, Health Informatics, Occupational Therapy, Human Biology, Neuroscience, Community Health |
Computer Science
| Skills & Aptitudes | Critical Thinking, Logic, Programming, Computation and Analysis, Communication, Creativity, Problem Solving, Time Management, Teamwork, Adaptability, Continuous Learning |
| Careers | AI Researcher, App Developer, Cloud Architect, Computer Hardware Engineer, Computer Scientist, Cybersecurity Engineer, Database Administrator, Data Scientist, Embedded Systems Architect, Game Designer, IT Analyst, Software Development Engineer, Systems Engineer, Systems Integrator, Technical Writer, UX Designer, Web Developer |
| Alternate Majors | Artificial Intelligence, Bioinformatics, Cognitive Sciences, Computational Sciences, Computer Science and Engineering, Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, Data Science, Digital Technology, Game Design, Informatics, Information Systems, Linguistics and CS, Math, Robotics, Statistics |
English
| Skills & Aptitudes | Imagination and Creativity, Love of Reading and Language, Curiosity about Culture and Ideas, Strong Writing Ability, Critical Thinking, Reading and Analysis, Communication (verbal and written), Research skills |
| Careers | Author, Editor, Copywriter, Technical Writer, Journalist/Reporter, News Editor/Broadcast Journalist, Fact-Checker, Podcast Producer/Writer, Marketing Coordinator, Public Relations Specialist, Social Media Manager, Communications Specialist, Human Resources Specialist, English Teacher, Curriculum Developer, Academic Advisor, Paralegal, Policy Analyst, Playwright/Script Writer, Literary Agent, Book Publicist, UX Writer, Information Architect, Digital Marketing Specialist, Librarian, Archivist |
| Alternate Majors | Journalism, Communication, History, Linguistics, Comparative Literature, Philosophy, Theology, Ethnic Studies, Digital Media |
