11 answers
Harley
Student
Arizona City, Arizona
2
Questions
Updated
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What major should you NOT go to college for?
Hello! As a college student in the middle of my career, I wanted to submit a question.
What majors should students NOT go to college to study for?
If you do list any majors: What do you recommend students do (instead) to pursue their career goals?
I hope this question could help future students interested in jobs and help them make the most of their time after high school. I feel I went through a lot of indecision and stress over how to use my time after graduation.
Let's start the conversation!
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11 answers
Brianna C., MS, SLP
Speech language pathology
148
Answers
Nashville, Tennessee
Updated
Brianna’s Answer
Hi, Harley,
I don't think there's any particular degree I would 100% advise not to pursue. I know people with "useless" degrees who had jobs right out of undergraduate college, and people with "stable" degrees who had trouble even getting internships as a graduate. I think what is more important is to have a solid post-graduate plan and a solid idea of how to apply the knowledge you learned in your degree to a variety of fields.
For example, there are people who get engineering degrees (the go-to "stable" degree) who don't know what they want to do after graduation and wind up floundering because entry engineering jobs and internships have 100s of not 1000s of applications depending on the company, and it's something you have to prepare for in advance. On the flip side, I know many people with Art History degrees (the go-to "underwater basket weaving" degree) who had a solid course of action and who got job placements in museums, NGOs, and international relations jobs right out of college because they knew how to sell that background and applied to jobs and internships very purposefully.
The one area I would suggest maybe not getting a degree in would be the arts (visual, film, writing, etc) just because those industries care more about porfolios, industry references, and work samples than any particular degree. The money you spent on tuition for film school, for example, could have gone to shooting your own film for your portfolio, and many people would argue that having a completed film under your belt is more "impressive" than having a film school degree. Even with those, however, many people use school as a source of very important networking that may be difficult to break into any other way.
I don't think there's any particular degree I would 100% advise not to pursue. I know people with "useless" degrees who had jobs right out of undergraduate college, and people with "stable" degrees who had trouble even getting internships as a graduate. I think what is more important is to have a solid post-graduate plan and a solid idea of how to apply the knowledge you learned in your degree to a variety of fields.
For example, there are people who get engineering degrees (the go-to "stable" degree) who don't know what they want to do after graduation and wind up floundering because entry engineering jobs and internships have 100s of not 1000s of applications depending on the company, and it's something you have to prepare for in advance. On the flip side, I know many people with Art History degrees (the go-to "underwater basket weaving" degree) who had a solid course of action and who got job placements in museums, NGOs, and international relations jobs right out of college because they knew how to sell that background and applied to jobs and internships very purposefully.
The one area I would suggest maybe not getting a degree in would be the arts (visual, film, writing, etc) just because those industries care more about porfolios, industry references, and work samples than any particular degree. The money you spent on tuition for film school, for example, could have gone to shooting your own film for your portfolio, and many people would argue that having a completed film under your belt is more "impressive" than having a film school degree. Even with those, however, many people use school as a source of very important networking that may be difficult to break into any other way.
Gloria Ortiz
Instructional Designer
842
Answers
Irving, Texas
Updated
Gloria’s Answer
Hi Harley,
What an interesting question. I actually think that you can have a career in practically any major that does not require education as a basis for the job. For example, I think that there are jobs where education HAS to be a requirement just for the safety of others - medicine, engineer, architect, law. These are highly specialized fields where foundational information is critical.
In general, I believe that most people would benefit from working before starting any kind of education, especially when you do not know what you want to do. Work can be anything, from retail to restaurants. What you need to get from work is a sense of what you like and don't like. For example, some people don't like to serve customers. Some people are good in crowds, either leading people or training people on how to do their jobs. Some people thrive working outside. You can't know until you try something.
Once you have some idea of what you like, I am a great believer that additional education can't hurt. Consider if someone loves being an artist, like a photographer. A natural ability can get you a long way. But being self-taught often leaves a person with many gaps in their knowledge. Additional education, from a few classes to a degree, can give a photographer a foundation that allows for flexibility in their career choices. Knowing how to do portraits, landscapes, black and white, and macro means that the photographer has more options for work and salary.
Gloria
What an interesting question. I actually think that you can have a career in practically any major that does not require education as a basis for the job. For example, I think that there are jobs where education HAS to be a requirement just for the safety of others - medicine, engineer, architect, law. These are highly specialized fields where foundational information is critical.
In general, I believe that most people would benefit from working before starting any kind of education, especially when you do not know what you want to do. Work can be anything, from retail to restaurants. What you need to get from work is a sense of what you like and don't like. For example, some people don't like to serve customers. Some people are good in crowds, either leading people or training people on how to do their jobs. Some people thrive working outside. You can't know until you try something.
Once you have some idea of what you like, I am a great believer that additional education can't hurt. Consider if someone loves being an artist, like a photographer. A natural ability can get you a long way. But being self-taught often leaves a person with many gaps in their knowledge. Additional education, from a few classes to a degree, can give a photographer a foundation that allows for flexibility in their career choices. Knowing how to do portraits, landscapes, black and white, and macro means that the photographer has more options for work and salary.
Gloria
Megan McCoy
Career Coach
140
Answers
Lakeland, Florida
Updated
Megan’s Answer
Great question to help others, Harley!
I suggest to students to not go into general degrees usually in liberal arts such as:
English
Literature
History
Psychology
Most of these are meant to be built upon after graduating in a Masters's program. Unless you continue on they are not super helpful.
I encourage students to look at high-demand, high-wage careers in their state to see what degrees will lead them to stable careers. Look for degrees that have built-in experience. For example, healthcare degrees will always come with clinical hours. Degrees that require an internship, co-op, clinical, or work experience set you up to better succeed after graduating.
I suggest to students to not go into general degrees usually in liberal arts such as:
English
Literature
History
Psychology
Most of these are meant to be built upon after graduating in a Masters's program. Unless you continue on they are not super helpful.
I encourage students to look at high-demand, high-wage careers in their state to see what degrees will lead them to stable careers. Look for degrees that have built-in experience. For example, healthcare degrees will always come with clinical hours. Degrees that require an internship, co-op, clinical, or work experience set you up to better succeed after graduating.
Totally disagree. If you want to be a CEO, a dean of a college, or work at the upper level of corporate, then you should major in English, Literature, or Psychology. Stable is up to interpretation. I saw a lot of nurses get laid off two years ago. STEM is not completely stable. I was able to secure promotions because a strong background in rhetoric and my ability to communicate thanks to a master's in English. An English major has a marketable skill that clients can hire them for on graduation.
Andalee Hyatt
You just made my point. A CEO or a dean of a college is going to have a master's and you have a master's. I am saying that these general liberal arts degrees standing alone by themselves do not do much for you unless you continue on to a master's.
Megan McCoy
Yes, but I also had work straight out of my bachelor's degree. You can work as a high school teacher with a bachelor's in English. There are many many jobs. Most of the people in marketing I have worked with just have a bachelor's. You also don't need a master's degree to be a college counselor which leads to a position as dean of a college. I'm sorry I still disagree with you.
Andalee Hyatt
I do not think that is true, most states require you to have a teaching certification. You could be a substitute teacher with just a bachelor's degree. I am not saying you can not get a job with a general bachelor's degree. From my experience working in higher education, those are the degrees that students struggle with having a sense of direction for careers, paying student loans, and are more likely to go back for a different degree or have to continue on with a master's.
Megan McCoy
angie azur
Writer | Artist | Death Doula | Yoga | Meditation | Psychology | Philosophy
78
Answers
Weaverville, NC
Updated
angie’s Answer
Hello Harley,
It seems you're in a position where your insights could be invaluable to others. This reminds me of a similar situation with my 19-year-old, who was unsure about whether to pursue higher education. After a thorough discussion, we arrived at these key points:
- Jumping straight into the professional world is a viable option, especially in fields that involve desk jobs. However, bear in mind that promotions often plateau at a certain level without a master's degree. It's crucial to investigate this before accepting any job. Institutions like banks, in particular, consider degrees when promoting employees. While this might seem unimportant now, as you reach your 30s or 40s, you may regret not obtaining your degree when you find yourself overlooked for higher-paying, upper management roles.
- Graduating from high school doesn't instantly make someone an adult, despite the common perception that 18 is the magic number. In fact, today's 18-year-olds are generally less mature, both emotionally and behaviorally, than those of previous generations. This is a strong argument for attending college, as it provides a valuable opportunity to mature before embarking on a career.
- If you're uncertain about your future career path, like my son was, college can be a great place to explore your interests through various classes. This can help you narrow down your options and discover your true passion.
- I believe it's beneficial to attend college right after high school, regardless of your career interests. The maturation process and self-discovery that takes place during these years can be invaluable.
I hope this advice proves useful to you and others in your situation.
Best of luck!
It seems you're in a position where your insights could be invaluable to others. This reminds me of a similar situation with my 19-year-old, who was unsure about whether to pursue higher education. After a thorough discussion, we arrived at these key points:
- Jumping straight into the professional world is a viable option, especially in fields that involve desk jobs. However, bear in mind that promotions often plateau at a certain level without a master's degree. It's crucial to investigate this before accepting any job. Institutions like banks, in particular, consider degrees when promoting employees. While this might seem unimportant now, as you reach your 30s or 40s, you may regret not obtaining your degree when you find yourself overlooked for higher-paying, upper management roles.
- Graduating from high school doesn't instantly make someone an adult, despite the common perception that 18 is the magic number. In fact, today's 18-year-olds are generally less mature, both emotionally and behaviorally, than those of previous generations. This is a strong argument for attending college, as it provides a valuable opportunity to mature before embarking on a career.
- If you're uncertain about your future career path, like my son was, college can be a great place to explore your interests through various classes. This can help you narrow down your options and discover your true passion.
- I believe it's beneficial to attend college right after high school, regardless of your career interests. The maturation process and self-discovery that takes place during these years can be invaluable.
I hope this advice proves useful to you and others in your situation.
Best of luck!
Andalee Hyatt
Graphic Designer
2
Answers
Orange, California
Updated
Andalee’s Answer
There is no major a person should avoid. Anyone who responds saying STEM is the only way shouldn't advise someone interested in the Humanities. You can do anything you set your mind to.
I think the key here is to think about what you are doing with the major you intend to pursue. If you have a clear goal, then you can make anything work. I worked in graphic design for 8 years before going back to school and getting a master's in English. I'm also an artist and I have heard many times that art doesn't make money. That's also a lie. I've sold a lot of my art. It was the best decision I ever made to go back and get a master's in English. Most of my cohort went on to either be professional writers at a corporate company, creative writers, work in marketing departments, teach, or some other field. On the other hand, I was able to secure a job in tech for the last five years with a stable paycheck because of my degree and experience.
I was also a tutor and worked in education. There is no bad major. There are no unstable jobs unless they're being taken over by AI. Every job has the potential to be unstable. We saw that two years ago. The key is to continually get creative with what you want to do and the skills you continue to pick up after college.
You are either the person who creates the jobs, or the person who is working for someone else who created a job. Keep that in mind when you pick a major.
What type of skills do you need to work at your dream job?
Which majors can I put together to make myself a unique candidate?
What can I put on a resume to make myself a unique candidate?
This is what mine looked like:
BS in Interactive Media Design
Working 8 years in graphic design
BA and MA degree in English
English tutor for college students 6 years
Instructor for portfolio development for MA students
Working in corporate marketing 5 years
Mentoring high school students interested in graphic design and portfolio reviews for college students
What do you want your path to look like? Find someone already doing it and reach out to them. Buy them a coffee and ask them about their experience.
I think the key here is to think about what you are doing with the major you intend to pursue. If you have a clear goal, then you can make anything work. I worked in graphic design for 8 years before going back to school and getting a master's in English. I'm also an artist and I have heard many times that art doesn't make money. That's also a lie. I've sold a lot of my art. It was the best decision I ever made to go back and get a master's in English. Most of my cohort went on to either be professional writers at a corporate company, creative writers, work in marketing departments, teach, or some other field. On the other hand, I was able to secure a job in tech for the last five years with a stable paycheck because of my degree and experience.
I was also a tutor and worked in education. There is no bad major. There are no unstable jobs unless they're being taken over by AI. Every job has the potential to be unstable. We saw that two years ago. The key is to continually get creative with what you want to do and the skills you continue to pick up after college.
You are either the person who creates the jobs, or the person who is working for someone else who created a job. Keep that in mind when you pick a major.
What type of skills do you need to work at your dream job?
Which majors can I put together to make myself a unique candidate?
What can I put on a resume to make myself a unique candidate?
This is what mine looked like:
BS in Interactive Media Design
Working 8 years in graphic design
BA and MA degree in English
English tutor for college students 6 years
Instructor for portfolio development for MA students
Working in corporate marketing 5 years
Mentoring high school students interested in graphic design and portfolio reviews for college students
What do you want your path to look like? Find someone already doing it and reach out to them. Buy them a coffee and ask them about their experience.
Alicia Pinto
Nurse practitioner
5
Answers
Durham, North Carolina
Updated
Alicia’s Answer
Psychology can be a challenging field. Without a solid plan for your career, a psychology degree might not be as valuable as you think. To make the most of this degree, you need to be proactive and engage in relevant activities that will enhance your job prospects. You could consider pairing it with another major or using it as a minor to broaden your opportunities. Please don't limit yourself to just this one area.
My thoughts exactly
Andalee Hyatt
While I agree that Psychology is a challenging field, I can say that the information I learned with Psychology as a major is still very relevant to me about 10 years later. I majored in Psychology but chose to go a different route. I first went into the education field and am now in technology. So yes, perhaps double major! But know that psychology is ultimately the study of behavior which comes in handy in every field!
Anell Colon
Jiani Shen
Student
9
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Jiani’s Answer
Hi, I don't think there is a major that should never be chosen. Everyone has different preferences and can withstand different pressures. Some people may find this major particularly difficult, but some people may not think in this way and persevere in their goals. Choosing a major is linked with your future career plans, so you may think about what kind of job you're going to do before you choose. Based on your search for your dream job, you may decide what major you want to choose.
Before choosing a major, check what classes you need to take for that major. For example, health and medicine majors require taking biology, organic chemistry, and pre-med. Medical field major has always been a very challenging major and the amount of effort and time it takes is huge. I have taken biology as my major, and I felt that I might not be suited for a medical-related major during studying. That's why it's important to recognize what you like and what you think. I also believe that the effort and the gain should be proportional.
Before choosing a major, check what classes you need to take for that major. For example, health and medicine majors require taking biology, organic chemistry, and pre-med. Medical field major has always been a very challenging major and the amount of effort and time it takes is huge. I have taken biology as my major, and I felt that I might not be suited for a medical-related major during studying. That's why it's important to recognize what you like and what you think. I also believe that the effort and the gain should be proportional.
Marika Elena Garay
Social Impact Professional
7
Answers
Burlingame, California
Updated
Marika Elena’s Answer
This is a great question. Speaking as a graduate of a degree often dismissed as "just for fun" or "not very practical" (Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies), I am extremely glad I didn't heed those who claimed my degree would be perceived as irrelevant or unrelated to any job I might apply for. My overarching view is that you should focus on what genuinely excites you to learn. Whether that's in the fields of STEM, Social Sciences, Business, or elsewhere, you should choose to study what truly motivates you, stimulates your mind, and aligns with your passions.
Delving deeper into why it's vital to study what truly interests you, regardless of whether you're aiming for an advanced degree or stopping after obtaining your Associates or Bachelors, choosing a college program you're passionate about essentially prepares your mind to delve into subjects, dissect them, and expand your understanding. This is also a crucial aspect of thriving in a post-college career. If you want to effectively train your mind and yourself to engage in this manner, it's far easier to do so with a subject you're enthusiastic and passionate about. Moreover, you are the only one who can uniquely express your passions to others. If you're in a job interview discussing a degree you obtained but weren't particularly excited about, it will be evident. I've been asked numerous times to explain why I loved the path I chose, and each time, I'm able to link my passion for my chosen field of study to why I'm passionate about the work I currently do.
Don't sell yourself short by choosing a study field based on other people's perceptions - pursue what you're passionate about, and the relevance to your career will naturally emerge.
Delving deeper into why it's vital to study what truly interests you, regardless of whether you're aiming for an advanced degree or stopping after obtaining your Associates or Bachelors, choosing a college program you're passionate about essentially prepares your mind to delve into subjects, dissect them, and expand your understanding. This is also a crucial aspect of thriving in a post-college career. If you want to effectively train your mind and yourself to engage in this manner, it's far easier to do so with a subject you're enthusiastic and passionate about. Moreover, you are the only one who can uniquely express your passions to others. If you're in a job interview discussing a degree you obtained but weren't particularly excited about, it will be evident. I've been asked numerous times to explain why I loved the path I chose, and each time, I'm able to link my passion for my chosen field of study to why I'm passionate about the work I currently do.
Don't sell yourself short by choosing a study field based on other people's perceptions - pursue what you're passionate about, and the relevance to your career will naturally emerge.
Wonderful advice! I completely agree!
Anell Colon
Alisha Austin
Product Design
5
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Alisha’s Answer
Thanks for your question, Harley! I don't think there are college majors that students should avoid. College is an exciting period for delving into your interests. A diverse college journey can introduce you to a variety of people and equip you with skills that extend beyond the academic sphere. Your chosen career might not align with your major, but the skills you acquire during your studies could play a important role in your professional life.
bill Bill Latter
chiropractor
42
Answers
Las Vegas, Nevada
Updated
bill’s Answer
well the purpose of an education is to get a job sooo any degree that will get you a job is most important 4 year degrees such as nursing teaching physical therapy will all get you a job
Makana Wrightington
Freelancer
7
Answers
Fall River, Massachusetts
Updated
Makana’s Answer
Don't get a degree in arts. It's not necessary for being an artist in the field. Also absolutely don't do it if you're not in love with it or good at it.
Brutal honesty there, but yeah. If you're good, you'll get a job. If you're not, a degree won't help you only more practice will.
go for a growing and steady field
go for something your passionate about
if you can't decide now, you can always go later on and give yourself more time to make that big financial decision
Brutal honesty there, but yeah. If you're good, you'll get a job. If you're not, a degree won't help you only more practice will.
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