We live in a fast-paced world, and the economy is constantly in flux. It’s a safe bet that during your career, you’ll need to tap into job skills that may not yet exist. Think about social media marketing. Ten years ago, no one could have predicted its rise as an important skill across so many industries. So the question is: If you’re a student, how can you make sure your college major stands the test of time? The answer: Choose a university that frequently takes the pulse of the market.

What to Look for in a University

1. Choose an institution that maintains strong connections with employers and understands the skills which businesses will demand in the future.
2. When evaluating academic offerings, look for a solid menu of tried and true majors (think business, liberal arts, and sciences), and a core curriculum that provides you with must-have “soft skills” like communication, collaboration, and critical thinking.
3. A university should also offer new academic programs and concentrations that address emerging market needs.

Why Choose Centenary

Here at Centenary University, we keep abreast of rapid changes in the job market. It’s a big reason 97-percent of Centenary graduates have jobs or are attending graduate school within one year of graduation – and are exceeding the national rate by 28-percent.

In response to direct input from employers, we’ve instituted a number of innovative new programs to ensure that your degree grows with the marketplace. For instance, Centenary’s 4+1 MBA allows you to earn a bachelor’s degree in business, along with an MBA, in just five years. That’s a smart move. According to a recent report by The Financial Times, since 2014, MBA graduates at least doubled their salaries within three years of completing their degree.

Industries to Consider

Medical Lab Science and Data Analytics are two of the nation’s fastest growing fields, and Centenary has responded with new academic programs to meet demand. In fact, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of medical lab scientists will grow 13-percent by 2026. That’s why Centenary University has partnered with Atlantic Health System to allow students to complete their clinicals at labs which include some of the world’s most cutting-edge technology, making it the only program of its kind in northwestern New Jersey.

Centenary has also launched a new program in Sustainable Practices, reflecting the impact that ethical decisions have on the bottom line. According to a McKinsey survey, 43-percent of executives say their companies seek to align sustainability with their overall business goals – up 30-percent from the previous year.

Another innovative and popular field of study recently added to the Centenary curriculum is Social Media Marketing. This program helps students integrate traditional marketing and communication with social media strategies and introduces them to the analytics that drive successful marketing campaigns.

Of course, while it’s great to be aware of market trends, the best advice is to begin by choosing a major you love. From there, your academic advisor will guide you toward minors, concentrations, and internships that translate into a career that’s fulfilling and can evolve with the marketplace.