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Top 10 Current Jobs that Fit Southeastern Students
Discover the top ten high-demand career paths that Southeastern Louisiana University degrees prepare graduates to step into tomorrow.
By: Brock Sanders
What was your first thought after walking across the stage, grabbing your bachelor’s degree? For many, including me, it was deciding where to eat once my family and I cleared post-graduation traffic. The second was, “When do the jobs start rolling in?”
The assumption that jobs grow on trees isn’t entirely false, but if you don’t know where those trees were planted, you may get lost looking for them. A good university prepares you for the job market. A great university helps you attack the job market where it’s heading and pushes students to meet employers at the proverbial headquarters.
Since 1925, Southeastern has excelled at building a community with students and using those connections to help students get ahead in today’s career landscape. From data centers to hospitals and offices to classrooms, the Lion Family gives students at all levels opportunities to start careers in the top echelon of open jobs within the next four years.
Almost all Southeastern graduates leave the university with a job, and a high-paying one at that. Within the first year after graduation, 95% of alumni are employed and making 25% more than the state average. For upcoming graduates, the future looks even brighter.
The top ten jobs will see an average increase of 23.45% in job openings over the next four years, driven by baby boomer retirements and a surge in Generation Z graduation rates. These occupations vary in educational requirements and areas of interest, depending on your preferences. Southeastern can provide the education required for all ten.
Below are the top ten projected job openings in the next four years and their median salaries, based on current United States Labor Statistics.
1-5
- Mental Health Counselors – $59,350
- Epidemiologists – $87,220
- Health Specialties Teachers – $107,310
- Data Scientists – $120,230
- Medical and Health Service Managers – $123,860
6-10
- Information Security Analysts – $129,180
- Nurse Practitioners – $132,300
- Physician Assistants – $135,880
- Computer and Information Research Scientists – $140,300
- Computer and Information Systems Managers – $175,140
Although each job would require, at minimum, a bachelor’s degree in the related field, Southeastern remains committed to offering students not only the opportunity to study any number of courses related to these careers but also the ability to succeed and meet the expectations of their future employers in the job market. Learn about how Southeastern can help you get a career in the developing market.
Data Scientist
Computer Science Bachelor’s with a Concentration in Data Science.
Data runs the modern world, but it’s useless if nobody knows how to read it. Southeastern’s data science track gives you the exact tools needed to turn raw, chaotic datasets into clear, actionable business strategies. Through hands-on experience with machine learning, statistics, and data visualization, you won’t just study theory—you’ll build real-world projects that catch the eye of recruiters in tech, finance, and healthcare. When you walk across the stage, you’ll be ready to step right into high-demand roles as a data analyst, machine learning engineer, or business intelligence specialist.
Information Systems Manager or Analyst
Bachelor’s in Information Technology.
If you want to solve actual tech problems without drowning in heavy theoretical math, the IT program at Southeastern is built for you. We focus heavily on the practical side of tech: systems administration, network infrastructure, database management, and operational security. You get the same core computing foundation as a traditional CS degree, but with a sharp focus on the real-world skills that keep modern businesses running smoothly. You’ll graduate ready to manage systems, protect data, and fill the massive demand for IT analysts and managers across every industry.
Mental Health Counselor
Master’s in Counseling with a Concentration in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
The need for compassionate, skilled mental health professionals has never been higher, and Southeastern prepares you to meet that demand head-on. Our Clinical Mental Health Counseling master’s program skips the fluff and focuses on the real work: assessing, diagnosing, and walking alongside individuals through life’s toughest challenges. Through intensive practical experience and expert guidance, you’ll master the therapeutic skills required to step straight into private practices, community agencies, and health centers as a trusted advocate and care provider.
Health Specialty Teacher
Master’s in Health and Kinesiology with a Concentration in Health Promotion.
Improving public health starts with leaders who know how to engage communities and drive real behavior change. With a master’s in Health and Kinesiology focused on Health Promotion, you’ll gain the exact playbook needed to design, launch, and evaluate programs that transform lives. Southeastern equips you with proven strategies in health communication, community outreach, and population wellness—setting you up to lead classrooms, public health initiatives, and community organizations that make a lasting impact.
Nurse Practitioner
Master’s of Science in Nursing with Concentration in Family Nurse Practitioner
As healthcare evolves, Family Nurse Practitioners are stepping up to fill vital gaps in primary care. Southeastern’s MSN-FNP program prepares you to serve as a primary care provider who can diagnose, treat, and manage health conditions for patients of all ages. You’ll combine advanced clinical training with a holistic approach to patient care, giving you the expertise and confidence to lead clinics, work in community health centers, and deliver top-tier medical care where it’s needed most.
Crossing the stage at graduation should be a moment to celebrate how far you’ve come, not a time to stress over what comes next. Southeastern’s faculty and curriculum aren’t just designed to get you a diploma; they are built around the Lions walking Friendship Circle today, preparing them to step directly into the careers that need them tomorrow.