What’s on employer wish lists? Based on the
latest job-offer facts and findings, the most in-demand bachelor’s
degrees may surprise you, or even have you reconsider your chosen field
of study.

The following list highlights the top five in-demand bachelor’s degrees
according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE)
Spring 2008 Salary Survey, with starting salaries. Job descriptions are
based on details provided by the Bureau of Labor and Statistics.

1. Mechanical Engineering ($57,821)

Mechanical engineers
are curious about how things operate. Professionals in this broad
discipline research, design, develop, and test tools, machines, and
mechanical devices. Along with a knack for science and math, engineers
need strong oral and written communication skills.

While most entry-level mechanical engineering
positions require a bachelor’s degree, continuing education is critical
– protecting engineers from potential layoffs or cutbacks.

Job outlook: As more engineers retire, and many professionals transfer to managerial positions, job opportunities are good.

2. Accounting ($47,429)

For those who delight in number crunching, a bachelor’s degree in accounting
can lead to occupations in financial and investment planning, budget
analysis, tax preparation, bookkeeping, payroll services, and auditing.
Opportunities are often best for CPAs, MBAs, or professionals
proficient with accounting software.

Accountants ensure that a firm is run efficiently and records are kept accurately. Expect long hours — especially around tax season.

Job outlook:
Thanks to retirees and a faster-than-average job growth due to new
business and changing financial laws and regulations, accountants can
enjoy favorable job opportunities.

3. Finance ($48,616)

Financial analysts and personal financial advisors
gather and analyze financials and provide investment guidance to
businesses and individuals. They must feel comfortable with money
markets, tax laws, and the workings of the economy, and have good
communication skills to explain complex strategies and concepts.

A bachelor’s degree will get your foot in the door, but additional certifications or an MBA
is a plus. Many finance professionals opt to open their own business;
almost a third of personal financial advisors are self-employed.

Job outlook:
Personal financial advisors are projected to be among the 10
fastest-growing occupations. Though job growth is strong across the
board, competition is still keen for finance positions.

4. Business Administration/Management ($44,195)

Business
administration professionals may work as contract administrators,
facility managers, or administrative services managers in the private
industry and government, where they keep offices running efficiently,
conducting records management to administration to telecommunications
to support services.

Leadership and
communication skills are as valuable as flexibility, and being
detail-oriented, and decisive. Experience can get business
administration professionals promoted in smaller organizations, while
formal education credentials — including advanced degrees — are
beneficial to advancement in larger organizations.

Job outlook: Jobs
are projected to grow as quickly as average among all occupations.
Competition for top-level business administration management jobs will
be high while more opportunities will exist for lower-level management
jobs and facility managers.

5. Civil Engineering ($50,940)

Civil engineering is considered one of the oldest engineering disciplines, attracting those who are analytical by nature. Civil engineers
design and supervise the construction of highways and byways — from
roads and bridges to tunnels and dams — and work in fields such as
water resources and structural concerns.

These
professionals must simultaneously be inquisitive, detail-oriented, and
interested in the big picture. In their designs, civil engineers must
consider potential environmental hazards, construction costs, and
government regulations that can affect their creations. Bachelor’s degrees are required for most entry-level jobs and continuing education is critical as new technologies emerge.

Job outlook: Employment growth for civil engineers is expected to move at a pace that is faster than the average for all occupations.

Elizabeth
Weiss McGolerick is a freelance writer and editor specializing in
features on education, relationships, parenting, and health. Her work
has appeared on MSN, AOL, and Yahoo! HotJobs, and she is a regular
contributor to ClassesUSA.