Some Ventura College faculty members believe that students may be changing majors to adapt to the current economic situation. But many students are continuing to follow their dreams.
The top majors at Ventura College for spring 2009 are nursing science, general studies, business and psychology, according to Ramiro Sanchez, the executive vice president for student learning.
Forbes.com recently published a list of the “10 Most Recession-
Proof Jobs.”
The list of the top recession-proof professions included sales, software designs and development, nursing, accounting, networking and systems administration, administrative assistant, business analysis and research, software implementation and finance.
Some students are switching majors in reaction to the current economic situation.
“I used to be a business major but I switched to international business,” said Alfredo Rivera, 18, business major.
Although the current state of the economy has not directly affected his career choice, Rivera said, this switch provided more money and career options.
Blanca Deluna, 20, psychology major, has considered switching to a major involving marketing and sales as a result of the shifting economy.
“It has definitely crossed my mind,” Deluna said.
On the other hand, Jaye AcuÅa, 19, nursing major, is pursuing a nursing career because she loves helping people and Jonathan Marrufo, 22, biology major, is planning to study stem-cell research and find cures for diseases.
Marrufo said he has a friend with fibromyalgia, a syndrome that affects muscle tissue. This is an impacting factor in Marrufo’s decision to major in biology.
Jeff Stauffer, Business Department chair, said that the current economy could be one of the key factors impacting a student’s decision for choosing a major.
“Business is like a draw card. Anything you get into is like business,” Stauffer said, adding that there is currently an opportunity for small businesses as they make up 50 percent of the economy.
In her State of the College address on Feb. 5, Ventura College President Robin Calote, Ph.D., said there will be a $3 million cut for the next year, and Ventura College will start to focus on core classes rather than electives.
Stauffer does not believe the expected class cuts will affect the Business Department.
No business classes have been cut yet, he said, in fact, the department will hire a new full-time business instructor for the fall.