How Student-Athletes Can Choose Majors with the Best Job Prospects in a Tight Job Market

For many student-athletes, the transition from college to career is a daunting one, especially when choosing the right major that aligns with both their interests and their job prospects. Traditionally, fields like finance, engineering, and computer science have been seen as clear paths to well-paying careers, but recent data suggests that some unexpected majors are outperforming others when it comes to employment opportunities.

While finance still offers a strong career trajectory, recent graduates in fields like art history, nutrition, and philosophy are seeing better job prospects than many business and STEM-focused majors. For student-athletes, who often juggle rigorous training schedules with academic pressures, choosing a major that balances passion with practicality could be the key to long-term career success.

Take Rafael Perez, for example. After initially pursuing a creative path, Perez found a sense of stability in the world of finance. His story is a reminder for student-athletes: a degree that feels like a pivot may ultimately provide the stability they need, especially as they look to manage the transition from a life focused on athletics to one centered on career growth.

For student-athletes with a passion for sports but unsure of what to major in, it’s important to consider not only the financial rewards but also the potential for job security. As a competitive job market continues to impact new grads, industries like nutrition and philosophy offer surprisingly strong employment opportunities. In fact, nutrition majors currently enjoy an unemployment rate of just 0.4%, which is considerably lower than their peers in finance and STEM fields.

While the job market remains challenging, the key for student-athletes lies in leveraging their discipline, resilience, and adaptability—traits honed through years of sports training. Choosing a major that sets them up for success, whether in a field like nutrition or philosophy or a more traditional major, can give them an edge in a competitive job market.