15 Best Majors to Help the World

Do you feel as though the world isn’t good enough? That it could be better? Perhaps you aspire to make the world a better place and want to know more about degrees to help change the world.

It's all a matter of perspective and execution. So we’ll be going over a list of some majors that help the world. However, making an impactful change on the world isn’t easy for one person. From Architecture to Zoology, these majors require true determination and dedication.

The best majors to help the world cover a diverse range of topics such as mathematics, science, English, history, and computer engineering, to name only a few. No matter your academic interests, there’s a way to channel your desire to help the world into your degree. Here you’ll learn what to study if you want to change the world.

What to study if you want to change the world

1. Biomedical Sciences

• Why? By studying biomedical sciences, you’ll learn all about human biology along with the illnesses and disabilities that can plague the body. These are some serious problems that can severely bring down a person’s quality of life. You’ll also gain knowledge about operating devices and equipment to help people overcome their ailments.
• By having the ability to help people heal and regain the independence they once had, you will not only improve their lives but the lives of those around them. You’ll help people be free from the burdens of poor health, so a major in Biomedical Science is one of the best majors to help the world and give others the opportunity to help in their own way.
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2. Sustainable Development

• Why? As we steer toward the 22nd century, it is estimated that our global population will likely exceed 9 billion people. Due to climate change and our rapidly growing population, sustainable development is becoming one of the most vital disciplines to study.
• While working toward your sustainable development degree, you will learn innovative ways to adapt to the challenges posed by poverty and global warming and help to preserve important natural resources for ours and future generations. Concentrating on sustainability improves our environment, which has the benefit of improving lives. It just takes one person to make an impact and inspire others to follow suit in the process.
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3. Mathematics

If you have a talent for math, you can put your skills to good use.

• Why? People who truly run the world know how to manage money wisely. Whether you help keep a good company in the black or help people with their investments, the impact of smartly managed money can be enormous. One of the basic subjects that we all learn in school is math, and a major in math opens the door to a wide variety of professions.
• From an aerospace engineer to a statistician, you can do so much with a degree in math. Being able to solve complex problems is a great way to help so many people. This is a dynamic degree that can open many doors and allow you to contribute to making the world a better place. It will be no cakewalk but if you have a knack for algebra, geometry, or calculus, you might want to consider a career in math.
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READ: 11 Best Places to Study Abroad for Math

4. History

• Why? There aren’t many things more important than history. Knowing where we came from and who came before us has always shaped culture and people’s thinking and behavior. This degree can have a positive impact on many people’s lives.
• Not to mention, a degree in history offers a good intellectual challenge and such degrees are well respected by employers. History helps us understand other cultures as well as our own society. Historians can provide unique explanations to phenomena that impact our everyday lives. Thus, a major in history will certainly make the world a better place.
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READ: 8 Best Places to Study Abroad for History Majors

5. Science

• Why? Similar to math, science covers a wide array of different disciplines such as biology, pharmaceuticals, and chemistry. An undergraduate major in science allows students to become experts in a specific scientific area and later move into a specialized career.
• Working in science can lead you to solve many world problems and contribute to maintaining clean oceans, breaking down plastics and other pollutants, space travel, and developing methods to increase food production. Scientists work on creating new medications and cures not only for people but for animals as well, making this one of the best degrees to help change the world.
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6. English

Translate a love of all things English to a career making a difference in the world.

• Why? In a world where English is the universal language, you can take part in careers that involve writing, translating, or teaching it. You can be involved in all types of gigs including writing articles, reviews, novels, proposals, or speeches. By creating the written word, you can pass knowledge and information on to countless people informing them of all sorts of things they need to know so they can improve themselves.
• If your native tongue isn’t English, then you can contribute to a world where more people can better understand and relate to one another by becoming a translator or transcriber. Teaching English as a subject or a language is another popular career that helps many around the globe have their voices heard. Teaching English creates more people who can communicate with one another. With more people using the same language and reducing misunderstandings, life becomes easier for everyone.
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READ: 7 Page-Turnin’ Study Abroad Programs in English Literature

7. Zoology

• Why? If you pursue a degree in the field of zoology, you’ll be able to not only help animals as a veterinarian, but you can also travel the world, researching and studying animals. All animals play important roles in their food chains and ecosystems. If some of these animals are lost then this can cause a breakdown leading to problems for other animals. Since humans make use of animals in several different ways, then their problems can also cause problems for us.
• With a zoology degree you can take an active role in helping to protect and maintain animal life. Your studies can lead to a career as an ecologist, environmental consultant, or even a higher education lecturer. The field of zoology helps us improve animals' lives and later apply that knowledge to human life, making a better world for everyone.
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8. Criminology

• Why? Around the world, there is crime, and there are crime fighters. Gaining a degree in criminal justice while studying abroad will give you a more comprehensive understanding of human nature, enabling you to identify the factors that lead to crime anywhere from the back alleys of a foreign nation to the city streets and suburbs of your own. The work done in criminology is an excellent way to improve conditions for people from all walks of life.
• You’ll get to analyze various data to understand the nature of the modern day criminal. You’ll learn what drives a person to a life of crime to better understand this phenomenon and support the work of crime fighters. You’ll be able to influence policy decisions that can lead to more positive policing. By pioneering new ways to help to enforce the law and prevent crimes, you’ll be playing a pivotal role in improving life for everyone in your community or even country.
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9. Counseling

There’s no doubt counseling is one of the best majors to help the world.

• Why? Studying counseling overseas will expose you to fresh perspectives, theories, and techniques that will broaden your understanding of this human-centered profession. You will learn about the various challenges people experience on a personal and cultural level as a result of a nation's historical backdrop, social structure, and environment when you study counseling abroad.
• Today, there are a wide variety of settings and counseling degrees available to aspiring counselors. A counseling degree is unquestionably a choice worth considering if you're seeking a degree that will provide you with both demanding and gratifying possibilities to learn and assist others throughout your career. You can’t miss it if you’re looking for majors that help the world.
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10. Computer Engineering

• Why? It's no secret that computers and technology have permanently changed the world we live in. A degree in computer engineering will not only make for a lucrative career, it will also teach you how computers work and what can be done to make them smarter, faster, and more efficient. In this day and age, almost every human on earth carries a handheld computer with them in order to function in our new normal society, so why not continue to improve such technology?
• Although the World Wide Web may provide an enormous amount of information, there is no alternative for really going out and experiencing the world while studying computer engineering. Step away from your computer and experience a new culture while earning your degree overseas.
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READ: 5 Best Study Abroad Programs for Computer Science Majors

11. International Relations

• Why? A challenging first step in beginning a prosperous international career is earning a degree in international relations overseas. Aside from improving the world, you can improve your analytical, logical, and interpersonal skills by studying international relations. This degree greatly expands your grasp of society, individuals, globalization, and transnational marketplaces.
• Leading employers in the public and commercial sectors need this skill set. Studying international relations overseas will educate you on the finer nuances of cross-cultural interaction and diplomacy needed to succeed in the profession, regardless of whether your interests lie in public policy, economic growth, or simply wanting to travel and see the globe.
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READ: 8 Best Study Abroad Programs for International Relations

12. Architecture

Get up close and personal with historic architecture by taking your studies overseas.

• Why? Those who have studied architecture have helped create innumerable new and inventive structures that have shaped humanity. Future societies where people and their environment thrive are made possible by architecture's capacity to foster innovation. Without architecture, civilization would lack innovative and useful building constructions.
• In our daily lives, the impact of architecture on society may appear insignificant. But that's only because we've never known life without it. By creating unique living places that promote our health, safety, and comfort, architecture has contributed to the shaping of civilization. It also gives prominent buildings all over the world a sense of wonder and mystery.
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READ: 9 Best Countries to Study Architecture and Build Your Future

13. Music

• Why? Contrary to common opinion, having a degree in music does not limit you to a profession in singing or performing. You can work in media creation, musical journalism, studio administration, music recording development, and other fields. The choices are wide and nearly endless.
• Without a doubt, the majority of the world are fans of music. Since antiquity, music has touched the lives of people around the globe. Additionally, people with music degrees frequently give private classes or provide one-on-one coaching sessions. No matter where you go, music degree programs often have a similar curriculum, thus studying abroad has many benefits.
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14. Cybersecurity

Studying cybersecurity positions you to make a difference in a rapidly changing technological landscape.

• Why? Systems need to be protected for both commercial and governmental organizations. Information theft can be disastrous, and a computer worm or virus might cost money and cause delays. Cybersecurity specialists are in charge of ensuring data integrity and recovery if an organization's data center is breached.
• Human mistakes, system failures, software flaws or viruses, and even natural disasters like floods or fires can damage data. The knowledge is valuable regardless of the size of the organization and must be recovered whenever possible. This can be done using backup programs or specialized software solutions that can recover data from corrupted multimedia, which those specialized in cybersecurity can recover.
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15. Conflict Studies

• Why? Logic tells us that if everyone could get along in this world then there wouldn't be any wars, prisons, or bullies in the schoolyard, thus making the world a better place. Students majoring in conflict studies are aware that despite the existence of disputes and wars, understanding them and locating their causes are the first steps in finding solutions.
• Finding solutions to conflict involves more than sending folks to timeout. Gaining a degree in conflict studies can enable you to put practical solutions to use and contribute to the spread of a little more peace, love, and understanding.
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Choosing what to study in college is a huge decision—why not do something to change the world?

Don’t be afraid to pursue a major that fits your interests AND helps the world.

It's critical to remember that as the globe changes, today's students will become tomorrow's leaders. Students can improve their knowledge and experience to address the difficulties and issues of the future through education. While some students look for degree programs with the biggest earning potential, others are looking for something with greater intrinsic value. Studying abroad, especially for a predetermined cause, will provide you with irreplaceable experience that will benefit you for the rest of your career.