Rethinking Majors

I've been writing about how critical thinking and communications skills will not be easily replaced by AI. People still prefer to negotiate with humans!

Now, less than two years since Chat-GPT 3 was released, we are already seeing its impact. While Computer Science is still a top major, graduates are finding a tighter job market. Companies are cutting back on hiring people who do repetitive work, including coding. How much will this filter trend down and how quickly?

What we are seeing is an increase in students choosing majors in the health fields. Patients are not ready to be cared for by robots in hospitals and clinics. For students who do not choose the grueling work and long process of becoming MD's, there are many options.

AI is becoming entrenched in hospitals. While it may eventually take over billing, coding, and EHR (electronic health record) maintenance, specialists are still required to manage the process. Telehealth practitioners and coordinators provide more flexible options for care. Nearly 500 US hospitals are owned by private equity firms. The hospital business has grown into an industry that employs administrators and managers in every department on a large scale. More assisted living facilities for the large baby boomer population will continue to be built, and employ more highly trained workers, including speech pathologists, physical and occupational therapists, and mental health therapists specializing in gerontology.

 There is only a slight shift, but notice the difference in the top majors. Students are thinking ahead.