A friend was talking about 'useless' college degrees the other day, implying that some degrees just don't help you get a job after graduation. Might sound weird, but I'm curious if there's some truth to that. If it's a thing, what are considered to be the most 'useless' degrees?
It's not quite appropriate to automatically deem any degree as 'useless' because the value of a degree depends significantly on a person's individual goals, skills, and interests. Job market demand, personal ambition, geographic location and the capacity to network and present oneself to employers also play crucial roles in determining the usefulness of a degree.
However, it is true that some majors tend to lead to lower-paying or more scarce job opportunities compared to others. According to some measures, degrees in fields like Fine Arts, Anthropology, and Philosophy often have lower immediate post-graduation earning averages. Similarly, degrees in fields with a more theoretical or less practical focus—like History, English, and Sociology—might face tighter job markets due to a somewhat narrower range of directly related career paths.
Still, holders of these degrees can often find employment in various fields if they diversify their skill sets through internships, part-time jobs, or volunteer positions. Having a degree, any degree, often opens up more opportunities compared to not having one. Statistically speaking, graduates with a four year degree tend to earn more over a lifetime than those with only a high school diploma.
It is also important to remember that many people use their majors as stepping stones to further education—like graduate school or law school—where the focusing effect of a major becomes less crucial. So, rather than just focusing on the 'usefulness' of a degree, focus on what you are passionate about and how you can leverage that degree for your future career goals.
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