Experts guide students to choose majors that suit the labor market

Associate Professor of Communication and Media, Dr. Muhammad Kamel Al-Quraan, believes that choosing a university major has become a decision that requires real study, not based on the student's average, family desire, or the attractiveness of the major's name.

Al-Quraan points out that digital and technological majors represent an important trend in light of the changing nature of jobs and the digital economy, but the introduction of the program does not necessarily mean its success, as it depends on the teaching method and the educational environment it provides for the student.

He says in an interview with Al-Rai that modern majors require laboratories, studios, software, training platforms, and applied projects, alongside faculty members who combine academic knowledge and professional experience, and partnerships with labor market institutions.

He gives an example of the digital media major, which he believes cannot remain based on lectures, books, and exams, but the student must be trained in digital content production, filming, editing, platform management, data analysis, use of artificial intelligence tools, information verification, and digital storytelling.

The same applies to digital marketing, according to Al-Quraan, as the student needs to practice digital campaign management, audience and data analysis, performance measurement, and content management, not just studying concepts and theories.

He emphasizes that the question universities should ask when introducing any new program is not 'What have we introduced?', but 'What will the student master upon graduation?'.

For his part, educational expert Aaish Al-Nawaiseh believes that achieving alignment between education outputs and labor market needs represents one of the most prominent challenges facing Jordan, especially in light of rising unemployment rates, which necessitates the development of educational pathways and a focus on technical, digital, professional, and applied skills.

He points out in his interview with Al-Rai that the diversification of educational pathways between academic and professional in school education, alongside the introduction of new majors and programs in universities, reflects a trend towards linking education more closely with labor market needs.

Al-Nawaiseh believes that the expansion of specialized, professional, and applied majors, from intermediate diplomas to postgraduate studies, can contribute to reducing the gap between education outputs and the needs of economic sectors, provided that the introduction is linked to real data on the demand for skills and majors.

He believes that the labor market is witnessing increasing demand for majors related to technology, digital transformation, renewable energy, and modern industries, which provides graduates with opportunities to compete locally, regionally, and internationally, and opens the door to entrepreneurship and freelance work in some applied fields.

At the same time, he stresses that the success of this trend does not depend on universities alone, but requires integration between higher education institutions, the private sector, and entities concerned with the labor market, so that academic programs keep pace with professional and technological developments.

Al-Nawaiseh warns against the continuation of the societal culture that links university success to a specific group of majors, such as medicine, engineering, and pharmacy, pointing out that changing labor market needs require awareness of students and families about new options and the nature of the opportunities they provide.

He emphasizes the importance of the role of universities, the media, and civil society institutions in providing realistic information to students about majors and job opportunities, so that the decision is based on knowledge of the profession's path and required skills, not just the social status of the major alone.

He also believes that the expansion of vocational and technical education represents a fundamental part of rebalancing between academic and applied pathways, highlighting the importance of providing specialized cadres, laboratories, and necessary training environments to ensure that students receive practical education that qualifies them for the labor market.

The list of introduced majors and programs reflects a growing trend towards technology, digital economy, applied industries, energy, and media fields, and includes a number of areas linked to the transformations witnessed by the labor market.

In the field of technology and data, data science and statistics, business intelligence and data analysis, smart systems engineering, smart device applications, financial technology, the Internet of Things, application programming, smart electrical systems technology, nanotechnology and materials science, and semiconductor technology stand out.

In applied technology and engineering, programs include unmanned aerial vehicle technology, advanced materials engineering, biomedical engineering, and sustainable process technology.

Digital economy and business includes e-commerce, supply chain and digital logistics management, logistics management, financial technology, business intelligence and data analysis, tax and customs administration, and forensic accounting.

In media, communication, and creative industries, options include public relations and digital advertising, digital media technology, multimedia, film and multimedia technology, animation and game design, digital media applications, digital content design, game and animation arts, and e-marketing and digital marketing.

The new map also includes majors in energy, sustainability, and vehicles, including green hydrogen, energy technology and solar energy, electric and hybrid vehicle technology, electric and hybrid vehicle engineering, air conditioning and refrigeration technology, and sustainable process technology.

In the aviation and transportation sectors, specialties such as aviation management, aircraft maintenance, unmanned aerial vehicle technology, maritime transport and marine engineering, and logistics and supply chain have emerged.

The expansion is not limited to the bachelor's stage, as it has extended to postgraduate programs, including a master's in green hydrogen, digital media technology, and business intelligence and data analysis, alongside doctorate programs in computer engineering and media philosophy.

Amidst the expansion of this academic map and changing labor market needs, the student's choice remains linked not only to the name of the major, but also to the nature of the program, the quality of training, the skills they will acquire, and their ability to convert academic knowledge into practical skills that are employable and capable of development.