Engineering

• Engineers are often in high demand, with biomedical and petroleum engineers topping the list. Biomedical engineers design artificial organs and prosthetics for medical and health management companies, while petroleum engineers create ways to extract processing oil and gas. According to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salaries for biomedical and petroleum engineers are $74,000 and $98,380, respectively. Employment in all engineering areas demands the highest pay among those with a bachelor's degree, and the field is expected to grow in the coming years. However, many English-speaking workers outside the U.S. who will work for lower salaries can "dampen" domestic employment, the bureau states.
  
  

Finance

• Jobs in finance are possible career paths for those with a bachelor's degree. Successful financial advisers often earn the highest salaries in the finance field -- with a median salary of $73,150 -- by helping clients maintain their investment portfolios. Accountants and auditors -- who earn median salaries of $59,430 -- help businesses run efficiently by keeping accurate financial records and analyzing them. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, positions in accounting and auditing are expected to grow 22 percent through 2018 -- much faster than the average employment growth rate. Accountants and auditors who have a professional certification, especially CPAs, should have the best prospects.
  
  

Computers

• Computer software is important to every business that needs data entry and accounting performed, among other office tasks such as word processing and Web authoring. The field is abundant with positions such as software engineers, with a median salary of $85,740, who construct and maintain software programs; network systems and data analysts, with a median salary of $66,310, who evaluate local area networks and the Internet; and database administrators, with the same salary, who store the company's data. There is also a demand for information technology positions, such as help-desk analysts, with a median salary of $49,016; IT managers, with a median salary of $73,000; and project managers, with a median salary of $84,649. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 24 percent employment growth in these areas through 2021.
  
  

Marketing, Communications

• Creative minds may want to focus on the marketing and communications field. Some positions include copywriters, with a median salary of $37,000; market researchers, with a median salary of $36,220; account managers, with a median salary of $82,774; public relations specialists, with a median salary of $45,493; and graphic designers, with a median salary of $47,234. These positions help a company maintain its brand image and effectively reach its target audience so it can sell a service or product.
  
  

Health Care

• Just as the computer industry is critical to business, the health-care industry is critical to society, and filling health-care jobs will always be a priority. Aside from doctors and nurses who need additional education after obtaining a bachelor's degree, open positions include physician assistants, with a median salary of $92,000; physical therapists, with a median salary of $75,000; pharmacy technicians, with a median salary of $32,227; laboratory technicians, with a median salary of $41,370; and health educators, with a median salary of $96,000.