From the tried-and-true political science major to a more elusive degree in puppet arts, there really is a degree for everyone. But if you’re not sure exactly what your future career path holds, maybe you’re interested in a major that lends itself to diverse career possibilities. After all, one day you might feel passionate about becoming an investigative journalist. Next month, your dream job could morph into the exciting role of social media coordinator. 

From communication to psychology, today we’re diving into five of the most versatile degrees for undergraduate students who want flexibility in their future. 

#1 Communication 

As the title would suggest, a communication degree concentrates on giving students the skills needed to effectively communicate in a variety of roles, from marketing to media and everything in between. Some of the hard skills you’ll gain from a communication degree include: 

  • Written and oral communication 
  • Public speaking 
  • Interpersonal communication 
  • Media production (e.g., audiovisual production, graphic design) 
  • Public relations (e.g., managing an organization’s reputation, handling crisis communications, and developing media relations) 

Because the skills associated with this degree are so broadly applicable, they’re highly sought after in many industries. Some of the career paths commonly chosen by communication graduates include: 

  • Public relations 
  • Journalism 
  • Advertising 
  • Marketing 
  • Corporate communications 
  • Event planning 
  • Social media management 
  • Human resources 

#2 English 

An English degree is a steadfast choice for lovers of books and the written word—not to mention those who appreciate having a wide selection of job opportunities to choose from. This major provides the opportunity to master many covetable work skills: 

  • Communication 
  • Critical thinking 
  • Reading comprehension 
  • Research 
  • Literary analysis 
  • Cultural awareness 
  • Presentation skills 

With such a wide range of aptitudes, English graduates set themselves up for countless job opportunities, including: 

  • Writing and editing 
  • Education 
  • Publishing 
  • Public relations 
  • Marketing 
  • Communications 
  • Law 
  • Human resources 

#3 Marketing 

Whether you dream of becoming the biggest brand manager in the industry or the go-to event manager for the most well-known clients in the business, a marketing degree delivers a diverse set of skills that you can apply across various industries, like: 

  • Market research and analysis 
  • Branding and positioning 
  • Digital marketing 
  • Creative problem-solving 
  • Customer relationship management (CRM) 
  • Project management 
  • Data analysis 

After earning a marketing degree, you’ll afford yourself a flexible list of career choices to choose from, including: 

  • Market research 
  • Social media management 
  • Public relations 
  • Marketing analytics 
  • Sales and business development 
  • Product marketing 

#4 Finance 

While finance students are often deeply immersed in numbers and figures, that doesn’t mean a finance program isn’t a worthwhile contender in the realm of the most versatile degrees. To the contrary! This flexible degree prepares students for numerous roles with a broad set of skills, such as: 

  • Risk management 
  • Financial compliance 
  • Quantitative skills 
  • Financial planning 
  • Problem-solving 
  • Business acumen (e.g., accounting, economics, and investment) 

Within the wide world of finance, there are a wealth of careers to choose from. Potential roles include: 

  • Financial consultant 
  • Treasury analyst 
  • Commercial banker 
  • Risk manager 
  • Insurance underwriter 
  • Private equity analyst 
  • Investment banker 

#5 Psychology 

An undergraduate major known for its ability to give students a deep understanding of human behavior and cognitive processes, psychology also offers a wide-ranging set of skills that students can apply to most any current or future role, including: 

  • Research 
  • Critical thinking 
  • Empathy and listening 
  • Ethical guidelines 
  • Data analysis 
  • Cognitive and behavioral assessment 

While people often associate psychology with careers in counseling or therapy, there are plenty of other career paths to choose from for students who aren’t yet sure where their passions lie. Graduates often pursue roles in: 

  • Human resources 
  • Sales and marketing 
  • Forensic psychology 
  • Data analysis and research 
  • Social services 
  • User experience (UX) research 

Visualizing the Value of Versatile Degrees 

Each of these degrees opens doors to a wide range of industries and career paths. Use the chart below to explore how core skills connect to professional opportunities, so you can choose a major that matches your goals and grows with you. 

FAQs: Choosing a Versatile Degree 

Thinking about a major that offers long-term flexibility? Below are five quick questions to help you better understand what makes a degree versatile and how to choose the right one for your goals. 

  • What makes a degree “versatile”? 
    A versatile degree provides a broad set of transferable skills that can be applied across multiple industries and job roles. 
  • Are versatile degrees less valuable than specialized ones? 
    Not at all. Versatile degrees offer flexibility, making them especially valuable for students who want to explore different fields or pivot later in their careers. 
  • Can I go to graduate school with one of these degrees? 
    Yes! Degrees like psychology, English, and communication are great foundations for graduate programs in business, law, education, and more. 
  • What kinds of jobs can I get with a versatile degree? 
    Graduates commonly pursue roles in marketing, human resources, publishing, research, communications, finance, and more, depending on their interests. 
  • Does UTPB offer these degrees online? 
    Yes! UTPB offers fully online undergraduate programs in all five of these versatile areas—designed with flexibility and accessibility in mind. 

Choose the Program That’s Right for You at UTPB 

We understand that life can be hectic, but even with a personal and professional life vying for your time, it is possible to obtain the education and career you deserve. With a degree and a broad set of skills in hand, your professional opportunities will abound. 

The University of Texas Permian Basin offers 17 entirely online undergraduate degrees to choose from (including the five listed above) to help you gain the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in whichever career you choose. 

Still not sure? Check out some of the benefits of our online programs: 

  • Flexibility  
    Courses are asynchronous, so you can complete coursework at your own pace. 
  • Accessibility  
    Not located near our campus? Not a problem! With a Wi-Fi connection, you can do your work from almost anywhere in the world. 
  • Accreditation  
    UTPB is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to ensure all our online programs meet rigorous standards that are widely recognized and transferable. 
  • Convenience  
    Complete your work anytime, anywhere without ever traveling to campus. 

Join the Falcon family and discover all the perks of a top-tier online education. Apply to UTPB today!