For years, students have been encouraged to choose college majors based on interest, academic strengths and expected salary outcomes. Engineering and computer science have often been viewed as safer bets because of strong demand and higher starting pay, while humanities and social science degrees have faced questions about career prospects. However, as the job market changes, a new factor is becoming increasingly important: how many different career paths a degree can open.With hiring for fresh graduates slowing across industries, the value of a college degree may no longer depend only on the first job it leads to, but also on how easily graduates can move between sectors. New data from LinkedIn suggests that versatility — the ability to apply skills across multiple industries — is emerging as a key advantage for young professionals entering a challenging employment landscape.According to LinkedIn data shared exclusively with Forbes, overall hiring has declined from pre-pandemic levels, putting pressure on graduates across academic backgrounds. Forbes reported that LinkedIn analysed the most common majors among recent bachelor’s degree graduates on its platform and examined both the hiring outlook in fields directly connected to those degrees and the ability of graduates to transition into other industries.The findings point to an unexpected trend: some social science and humanities graduates are finding opportunities because their skills, including communication, research, analysis and problem-solving, can be applied across sectors. Meanwhile, some specialised fields, including engineering and technology-related majors, have faced sharper declines in hiring connected to their traditional career paths.
Versatility becomes a major factor in a slower job market
The changing employment landscape means graduates may increasingly need to look beyond the traditional career route associated with their degree. A business graduate, for example, may move into marketing, consulting, operations or technology roles, while a social sciences graduate may find opportunities in research, policy, human resources, communications or business strategy.Forbes noted that while certain technical fields continue to offer strong career opportunities, graduates with more specialised skill sets may have fewer immediate options when hiring slows in their core industries.The LinkedIn analysis found that hiring of new college graduates for entry-level roles related to their majors declined across the 15 most common majors on the platform between December 2019 and April 2026.
The majors that saw the biggest decline in graduate hiring
Source: LinkedIn data cited by Forbes
Why humanities and social science degrees are gaining attention
The data highlights a shift in how employers evaluate graduate skills. Degrees that develop transferable abilities — such as writing, communication, critical thinking and understanding human behaviour — can provide pathways into multiple industries.Social sciences, psychology, communication and related fields may allow graduates to compete for roles beyond their traditional academic areas. As companies adapt to changing technologies and business models, employees who can analyse information, communicate effectively and work across functions are increasingly valued.This does not mean technical degrees have lost their importance. Fields such as engineering and computer science continue to play a major role in industries driven by technology and innovation. However, the LinkedIn findings suggest that graduates may benefit from building additional skills that allow them to adapt when hiring conditions change.
What students should consider while choosing a major
Career experts have increasingly advised students to think beyond the first job after graduation. A degree’s long-term value may depend on whether it provides a foundation for continuous learning and movement across industries.Students choosing majors today may need to consider questions beyond salary expectations: Can this degree help me build skills that employers value across sectors? Can I combine it with digital skills, internships or practical experience? Does it give me flexibility if one industry slows down?As the graduate job market becomes more competitive, adaptability could become just as important as the subject a student chooses to study.
