Concerned about post-college underemployment

Y'all, the thought of underemployment post-graduation keeps me up at night. Are there any majors that are notorious for leading to underemployment? Trying to make an informed decision here.

From an analytical standpoint, you're smart to consider potential underemployment while choosing your college major. Underemployment, for clarity, refers to either being employed part-time when full-time employment is desired, or being employed in a job that does not fully utilize the worker's skills and abilities. This can be a serious concern, especially since it often comes with lower pay and fewer benefits.

A significant factor in determining underemployment risk involves current and projected future job-market trends. This often points to the level of demand, or lack thereof, for certain skillsets in the workforce. To answer your question: majors like Philosophy, Art, Anthropology, and certain Liberal Arts fields can sometimes lead to underemployment, largely because the number of graduates in these fields often outnumber the available jobs. Additionally, these majors often lack a direct professional trajectory compared to more vocational fields of study.

However, it's important to note that picking a major solely based on potential employment outcomes may not always be the best route. College is also an opportunity to explore your passions, cultivate critical-thinking skills, and gain broad knowledge. Just because a major historically has higher underemployment rates doesn't mean it may not be beneficial for certain career paths. For example, those who major in philosophy tend to score highly on the LSAT, making it a good foundation for pursuing law school.

You can mitigate underemployment risk by coupling your major interest with complementary skill sets. For example, if you're interested in art or graphic design, building skills in digital media or marketing can increase job opportunities. Internships, networking, long-term career planning, and additional certificates or licensing can also greatly improve your employment prospects.

So while it's helpful and important to bear in mind the potential employment outcomes of your chosen major, remember to balance that with what you truly enjoy and are good at. Mixing passion with practical consideration often leads to the best outcomes.