Studying to Get Ahead
Once upon a time, a college degree was the key that opened the door when opportunity knocked. For today’s graduates, sometimes the door is closed. And locked.
After competing for fewer and fewer job openings against a growing pool of experienced workers displaced by layoffs, many graduates admit that their starry-eyed dreams of becoming an engineer or an artist are being shelved in favor of more practical career objectives.
Yet despite the uncertainty produced by California’s stalled economy, students are generally urged to select careers based on their interests, while at the same time they are reminded to be flexible in their goals.
Below are the most popular degrees awarded during the 1992-93 academic year at colleges in the San Fernando, Antelope and Santa Clarita valleys and the top fields of study at area vocational schools.
Top five bachelor degrees awarded at Cal State Northridge:
1. Business
2. Liberal studies
3. Psychology
4. Speech communication
5. Engineering
Top five associate degrees awarded at Antelope Valley College:
1. Letters, arts and sciences
2. General business
3. Registered nursing
4. Natural science
5. Electronics and electric technology
Top five associate degrees awarded at College of the Canyons:
1. Social sciences
2. Mathematics
3. Business and management
4. Interdisciplinary studies
5. Health
(tie) Public affairs and services
Top five associate degrees awarded at Mission College:
1. Liberal arts
2. General studies
3. Humanities
4. Business
5. Legal assistance
Top five associate degrees awarded at Pierce College:
1. Liberal arts
2. Nursing
3. Pre-engineering
(tie) Electronics
4. Accounting
5. Computer programming
Top five associate degrees awarded at Valley College:
1. Liberal arts and sciences
2. Economics
3. Nursing
4. Office administration
5. Administration of justice
Top five fields of study at North Valley Occupational Center/Pacoima Skills Center:
1. Aircraft maintenance
2. Office occupations
3. Automotive training
4. Welding
5. Health careers
Top five fields of study at West Valley Occupational Center:
1. Automotive training
2. Office occupations
3. Computer literacy
4. Cosmetology
5. Health careers
Career fields recommended by San Fernando Valley career counselors and job training center officials:
* Physical therapy
* Bilingual education
* Special education
* Occupational health and safety
* Environmental technology
* Vocational nursing
* Automotive repair
* Office jobs
* Electronics
* Aircraft maintenance
* Landscaping
