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Jadon’s Playbook
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Majors & Careers

This is the fun page: where can all of this lead? You have years before any of it matters, so think of it as exploring the doors a strong degree can open.

The basics

What a major and a minor are

Your majorMajorYour main field of study in college, the subject most of your classes are in and the one your degree is named after. is the main field your degree is named after, the subject most of your college classes are in (for example, a major in Computer Science). A minorMinorA smaller, secondary focus, fewer classes than a major, for going deeper in a second interest. is a smaller second focus, fewer classes than a major, that lets you go a little deeper in a second interest (say, majoring in Economics with a minor in Statistics).

That is really all they are. You do not have to know yours yet, and picking one is a few years away.

When the time comes

How to choose

A simple way to think about it. Picture three overlapping circles, and aim for the spot in the middle.

What you are good at and enjoy

The subjects where you do well and lose track of time. You will work hardest at the thing you actually like.

What opens doors you care about

Some paths you find exciting need a certain major. Pick something that points toward where you want to go.

What the world needs

Fields with real, growing demand mean more options and better pay when you graduate.

The best major sits right where those three overlap: something you enjoy, that opens doors you care about, and that the world wants more of. 21

Where this can lead

Careers worth getting excited about

A look at high-paying, high-growth careers that graduates of strong schools aim for. Money is not the only reason to pick a path, but these are exciting places to point yourself.

#1

Investment Banking to Private Equity / Hedge Funds

FINANCE
Entry pay1820
$110-150k+
What you’d do
Advise companies on huge deals (mergers, raising money), then move to the 'buy side' investing money for funds.
Typical majors
Finance, Economics, Mathematics, Business
Long-term
Private equity and hedge funds lead to high six and seven figures.
What it takes
A top school, a high GPA, finance internships, and recruiting that starts early.

#2

Quantitative Trading and Research ("Quant")

QUANT
Entry pay1819
$300-500k+
What you’d do
Build mathematical models and algorithms that trade financial markets.
Typical majors
Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, Statistics, Electrical Engineering
Long-term
Among the highest-paying careers that exist, straight out of school.
What it takes
Elite quantitative ability and top performance in math-heavy coursework.

#3

Software Engineering at Big Tech

TECH
Entry pay1918
$120-200k+
What you’d do
Build the software, systems, and products that run the modern world.
Typical majors
Computer Science, Computer Engineering
Long-term
Steady raises, and a path to engineering management or product leadership.
What it takes
Strong coding ability, internships, and good projects.

#4

AI and Machine Learning Engineering / Research

AI
Entry pay1918
~60% over tech
What you’d do
Build and train the artificial intelligence systems reshaping every industry.
Typical majors
Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics
Long-term
One of the fastest-growing and best-paid fields right now.
What it takes
Deep CS and math, and increasingly, research experience.

#5

Management Consulting

STRATEGY
Entry pay1819
$100-130k+
What you’d do
Advise companies on strategy and big decisions, working across many industries.
Typical majors
Economics, Business, Engineering, Any analytical major
Long-term
Strong pay and exceptional 'exit options' into business leadership.
What it takes
A top school, sharp problem-solving, and strong communication.

#6

Medicine (Physician)

MEDICINE
Entry pay19
$250-500k+ (after training)
What you’d do
Diagnose and treat patients; specialize in an area of medicine.
Typical majors
Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Neuroscience (any major + pre-med courses)
Long-term
High pay, high job security, and deep meaning.
What it takes
Top grades, the MCAT, clinical and research experience, and years of commitment.

#7

Law (Corporate / "BigLaw")

LAW
Entry pay19
~$225k base
What you’d do
Advise companies, handle deals, or litigate cases.
Typical majors
Political Science, Economics, History, Philosophy (any major + JD)
Long-term
Partnership and senior in-house roles pay very well.
What it takes
A strong GPA, the LSAT, and a top law school.

#8

Product Management (Tech)

PRODUCT
Entry pay1819
$150k+
What you’d do
Own the vision and roadmap for a product, the bridge between engineering, design, and business.
Typical majors
Computer Science, Engineering, Business, Economics
Long-term
A direct path to senior tech leadership.
What it takes
Technical fluency, communication, and judgment.

#9

Data Science / Quantitative Analytics

DATA
Entry pay1918
Six figures
What you’d do
Turn large amounts of data into decisions and models.
Typical majors
Statistics, Computer Science, Mathematics, Economics
Long-term
In demand across every industry, with a path into AI and leadership.
What it takes
Statistics, coding, and clear thinking.

#10

High-Paying Engineering

ENGINEERING
Entry pay1821
~$130k+ start
What you’d do
Design the systems, products, and processes across energy, tech, aerospace, and manufacturing.
Typical majors
Chemical Eng (~$135k start), Computer Eng (~$131k), Aerospace (~$130k), Electrical, Mechanical, Petroleum
Long-term
Steady raises and a clear path into management.
What it takes
Strong math and science, internships, and hands-on projects.

#11

Cybersecurity & Information Security

SECURITY
Entry pay1918
$75-110k
What you’d do
Protect companies, governments, and people from hackers and data breaches by finding the weak spots before attackers do.
Typical majors
Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Computer Engineering, Information Systems
Long-term
One of the fastest-growing fields, with senior and CISO roles paying well into six figures.
What it takes
Strong CS fundamentals, curiosity, and hands-on practice (labs, competitions, certifications).

#12

Healthcare Professional (Dentist, Pharmacist, PA)

HEALTHCARE
Entry pay19
$120-170k+
What you’d do
Care for patients as a dentist, pharmacist, or physician assistant. High-impact, high-stability roles beyond becoming a doctor.
Typical majors
Biology, Chemistry, Health Sciences (then a professional program)
Long-term
Steady demand, strong pay, and meaningful work, with room to specialize or own a practice.
What it takes
Solid science grades, the right professional school, and clinical experience.

#13

Enterprise & Tech Sales

SALES
Entry pay1819
$80-120k+
What you’d do
Help companies choose the software and technology they need. You build relationships, solve problems, and close big deals.
Typical majors
Any major, Business, Communications, Economics
Long-term
One of the most accessible high-earning paths, with top reps and sales leaders making multiple six figures.
What it takes
Strong communication, persistence, and genuine curiosity about people and products.

#14

Accounting & Corporate Finance

FINANCE
Entry pay1819
$60-80k
What you’d do
Keep companies financially healthy through auditing, financial planning, and corporate strategy. The backbone of every business.
Typical majors
Accounting, Finance, Economics
Long-term
Very stable, in demand everywhere, with paths to controller, CFO, or partner.
What it takes
Comfort with numbers, attention to detail, and often a CPA license.

#15

UX & Product Design

DESIGN
Entry pay1819
$85-120k
What you’d do
Design how apps and products look, feel, and work, blending creativity with problem-solving for the people who use them.
Typical majors
Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, Psychology
Long-term
A creative-meets-technical path with senior and design-leadership roles.
What it takes
A strong portfolio, an eye for detail, and empathy for the people who use what you build.

Two more worth a look

Honorable mentions

Actuarial Science

Stable, high pay, great for analytical introverts. You pass exams to level up.

Entrepreneurship

Founding a company: the highest ceiling and the highest risk of any path here.

Keep exploring

Why CollegeThe honest, optimistic case for going, and what college is actually like.
Your 4-Year PlanA calm, year-by-year roadmap from freshman to senior. No stress, just a rhythm.
Grades & ClassesWhat GPA and course rigor really mean, and what strong schools like to see.
The SAT & ACTWhat recently changed, which test to pick, and the scores to aim for over time.