As high school students gear up for their senior year and start preparing for college, they are taking an open-minded approach as to what career path may be right for them. 

For generations, college-bound high school students have been faced with many decisions regarding the next chapter of their academic journey. What school is the best fit for your individual desires? Should you stay close to home or seek the freedom of living on your own for the first time? Do you prefer a large campus or a smaller school? What is the cost of attendance beyond tuition?

But perhaps one of the biggest things for these prospective students to settle on is what field of study they would like to make their major. Although some have a firm idea while still in high school, many others opt to wait until they have some classes under their belt to decide which career path suits them best.

We spoke with officials from Orange County Public Schools, Full Sail University and Rollins College to get a better sense of what students are looking for these days when it comes to higher education.

Have you noticed any trends with prospective college students gravitating toward any specific majors?

“Many of our students have chosen to pursue STEM-related majors (biology, biomedical sciences, computer science, engineering, nursing) or business-related majors (accounting, finance, management, marketing). Specifically, there has been a noticeable uptick in the number of students interested in cybersecurity and real estate as major pathways.”
—Orange County Public Schools spokesperson

“We find that students, regardless of their degree program, are increasingly focused on developing professional skills that will make them more competitive in the job market. This is great news for us because career readiness is an area we are focused on. … We continue to see an interest in established programs including music production, film, recording arts, entertainment business, and digital art and design, but we’ve been delighted by the growing interest in our emerging technologies degree programs. The more recent peak in emerging technologies is of interest to employers, allowing Full Sail to serve as a talent pipeline for the region and beyond through degree program focus areas in cybersecurity, information technology, simulation, visualization and more.”
—Dr. Dave Franko, vice president of academic affairs, Full Sail University

Has the pandemic had a big influence on any of the latest trends you are seeing?

“The COVID-19 pandemic has indeed influenced trends in higher education and career aspirations. One interesting change is that students are increasingly interested in expanding their skill sets and gaining knowledge across multiple fields. This may indicate their awareness that a major does not necessarily confine career choices. Rollins teaches students that, ultimately, the arsenal of skills they gain through their college experience is what ensures their readiness for their next steps after college.”
—Valerie Mandel, executive director for the Center for Career and Life Planning, Rollins College

“Staff has observed that among our college-bound students, they have become less decisive in a specific major they want to pursue. This tends to create difficulties as they progress throughout their high school career as much of the coursework they take may award college credit. The goal would be to use these courses to be competitive for admission and also gain exposure to the content that you will see in your major.”
—OCPS

Do you find more high school students are choosing a particular major earlier on these days or not necessarily?

“Many of our students who are college-bound are selecting accelerated coursework as early as middle school that aligns with a cluster of majors (e.g. business, law, STEM) without necessarily selecting a specific major until they determine colleges they plan to apply to, which is typically toward the end of their junior year.”
—OCPS

With not every student taking the traditional four-year path to graduation these days, do you find that students are looking for majors that allow them flexibility to learn while also gaining some real-world experience to better prepare them for their career of choice?

“Students are increasingly seeking hands-on experiences that complement their academic learning and prepare them for their future careers. Rollins College offers a broad variety of ways to easily infuse these experiences into their college journey. Some examples include our robust academic internship program, where students can earn credit while gaining practical experience in their field of interest. Additionally, we have a 16-year partnership with AdventHealth, providing students with a pre-med observership program for those interested in health-related careers. This fall, the Center for Career and Life Planning is launching a job shadow program, allowing students to immerse themselves in a company for a day to explore career options and understand company culture. These initiatives provide the flexibility and real-world experience that today’s students desire.”
—Valerie Mandel

“Real-world, hands-on learning has been at the cornerstone of who we are throughout our 45 years of operation. Our accelerated degree programs give our students relevant learning opportunities to build their résumé. For example, our students have engaged in expanded learning opportunities with notable industry professionals like Aoife O’Donovan, Elvis Costello and Dan Patrick among others, as well as entities such as Echelon Fit, Orlando Health, AdventHealth University, CECO, Orlando City Soccer and more.”
—Dr. Dave Franko

How vital is it for school counselors to have that relationship with a student so they can help them choose a major that is best for them?

“It is crucial for students and school counselors to cultivate a connection as counselors are integral to the entire college admissions process. Beyond the role of supporting students in exploring what careers they may have an interest in and the majors that would help them reach their intended career path, conversations on how to align their high school coursework with an intended major is a key component. This is in addition to providing students with the information they need to successfully navigate the college admissions process.”
—OCPS

Has your school expanded its offerings in recent years to better meet the desires of today’s student?

“In addition to today’s students’ desire for awareness into the intricacies of emerging technologies, we’ve also noticed with prospective students, whether they are in high school, in a career they are passionate about, or looking to switch careers, is an increased interest in short-form education. Through an online platform we call Full Sail DC3, we have found new ways to meet the learner where they are in their educational journey. Much like Full Sail University, Full Sail DC3 is a hyper-focused platform that educates students in focus areas including entertainment, media, art and emerging technologies.”
—Dr. Dave Franko

“Rollins College is committed to educating students for global citizenship and responsible leadership, preparing them for meaningful lives and productive careers. Our liberal arts education emphasizes the holistic development of students, both inside and outside the classroom. In recent years, we have enhanced our offerings through the Rollins Gateway program, which provides experiential education opportunities. This includes mentoring, global learning, scholarly pursuits, campus involvement, community impact, and career and life planning. These initiatives ensure that our students receive a comprehensive education that aligns with their interests and prepares them for the future.”
—Valerie Mandel