Worst College Majors for Your Career

[Don]

Saw this article this morning and thought it would make for interesting discussion:

http://www.kiplinger.com/slideshow/1...Source=Taboola

[The Serpent Merchant]

Not terribly surprising, I've never really understood why people get some of those degrees as they really just don't seem worth it (IE natural talent in that field is worth more than a degree)

I bet in most of those majors the best option is to get a Masters/PhD and become a professor in that field.

[aldebono]

English Major here! I am horrible at math so I went the route with the least math. When I was first going into college, it seemed like employers didn't care what major you had, just that you had a degree. Now, unless you have a Masters or higher with 2 years experience, it is extremely difficult to get a career.
I am currently working at the college I graduated from in the Department of Pharmacy as a Secretary. But! I get benefits and paid time off/holiday.

It is a shame that it seems like we no longer have use for the different forms of Art.

[MasonC2K]

Not terribly surprising, I've never really understood why people get some of those degrees as they really just don't seem worth it (IE natural talent in that field is worth more than a degree)

I bet in most of those majors the best option is to get a Masters/PhD and become a professor in that field.

Indeed. Unless you are going to be a Professor or teacher most of those are a waste. College should be about training you for a real world skill to make money with, not abstract ideas with no real value. If you are really good enough in those areas to make a living, the degree isn't needed. Most famous musicians and actors barely have high school educations. Most pro athletes never finish their degrees once signed to a team.

And honestly, the degree just serves as foot in the door. An edge over non-experienced folks for entry level positions. Employers will take people with 10 years experience over a college grad any day of the week for higher level jobs.

[MrLang]

Because some people value different types of fulfillment in life higher than a steady or high paying career path.

[The Serpent Merchant]

Because some people value different types of fulfillment in life higher than a steady or high paying career path.

I'm not saying that I think that these career paths are bad or anything (both of my parents are professional musicians, and my girlfriend is an english/history major with a philosophy minor) I'm just saying that in some of the majors on the list I can't see the costs of a degree being worth it unless you go further in school to be able to teach at a college level. Otherwise the cost to benefit ratio just doesn't seem worth it. Natural talent/practice in your field costs far less and will get you further.

[MasonC2K]

Because some people value different types of fulfillment in life higher than a steady or high paying career path.

But the article isn't about personal fulfillment. It's about real world results and expectations. Sometimes it's a good thing to follow your heart and your dreams. But sometimes those dreams are unrealistic and a new dream forged.