5 High-Paying Fields You Didn’t Know About (and the Courses to Get There)

Not all heroes wear capes, and not all big earners wear stethoscopes. Sure, the “parents-approved” careers that allegedly bring in the greens are amazing—doctors, lawyers, engineers—exceptional paths if they align with your goals. But what if they don’t? Maybe it’s too much math, too much to memorize or just too much talking—and deep down, you know it’s not for you.

But rest assured. Not all heroes wear capes, but today I am putting on one—to save you from the daunting choices of adulthood.

Here are 5 lucrative fields you probably have not heard of or didn’t realize that it pays well.

Actuarial Science

• Focus: Risk analysis in insurance, finance, and pensions.
• Career Path: Actuary, Risk Analyst, Financial Consultant.
• Why it Pays: Businesses rely on actuaries to minimise financial risks and losses.
• Approximate starting salary: ~RM3,000 to RM7,000 a month (Source: Glassdoor, Indeed)
• Course to consider: Actuarial Science, Mathematics, or Statistics.

University Pathways:

Data Science

• Focus: Turning raw data into insights for decision-making.
• Career Path: Data Scientist, Data Analyst, Machine Learning Engineer
• Why it Pays: Every industry needs data-driven strategies, from tech to healthcare.
• Approximate starting salary: ~RM4,000 to RM7,000 a month (Source: Glassdoor)
• Course to consider: Data Science, Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence.

University Pathways:

Cybersecurity

• Focus: Protecting systems, networks, and data from cyber threats.
• Career Path: Information Security Manager, IT Security Manager, Cybersecurity Analyst, Forensic Analyst.
• Why it Pays: Demand is rising as cyberattacks become more frequent and sophisticated.
• Approximate starting salary:~RM3,000 to RM6,000 a month (Source: Glassdoor, Indeed)
• Course to consider: Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Information Technology

University Pathways:

Medical Writing

• Focus: Creating scientific documents, health content, and regulatory reports.
• Career Path: Medical Writer, Regulatory Affairs Specialist, Health Communications Expert.
• Why it Pays: Healthcare and pharma companies need clear, accurate documentation.
• Approximate starting salary: ~RM4,000-RM6,000 a month (Source: Glassdoor, SalaryExpert)
• Course to consider: Biomedical, Biotechnology, Pharmacy, Journalism, English with Science background.

University Pathways:

Heads-up: This career needs both English writing skills and medical knowledge, so the degree path might look different depending on your most favorable skills. And if you have a mix of both, that’s perfect!

UX Designer/Writer

• Focus: Designing user-friendly apps, websites, and digital products.
• Career Path: UX Designer, UI/UX Researcher, Product Designer.
• Why it Pays: Businesses compete through user experience, making this role crucial.
• Approximate starting salary: ~RM3,000 to RM6,000 a month (Source: Jobstreet, Glassdoor)
• Course to consider: Graphic Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Multimedia Design

University Pathways:

Still overwhelmed by the endless options? No worries, there are plenty of ways to pursue your dream career without making your wallet cry. Scholarships, financial aids…these universities got you covered. And if you are clueless about where to start—we are here to guide you, free of charge!

Need Guidance? That’s Where We Come In

At AUG Student Services, we help students figure out:

• Which course matches your goals (and earning dreams).
• Which universities offer the best programs.
• Applications, visas, logistics—handled.
• Scholarship advice to maximize opportunities.

Moral of the story? Never sleep on fields you never heard of—it might be the one that pays you later. It is not a crime to stray from the default career pipeline. Remember, resilience will bring you through. Passion + Paycheck = W. So which W are you considering?