College is a great place to learn and have fun. But let’s not kid ourselves, some degrees are as useless as the plot in a Michael Bay film. Here’s a list of 10 degrees that may be interesting, but do jack shit for you in the real world.
Why It Won’t Help You Get a Job: With an art history degree you could maybe curate an art gallery or work at a museum or….yeah, that’s it. That’s all you can do. And seeing as how every art gallery and museum I’ve ever been to has exactly one dude sitting quietly at a desk reading a New Yorker and eating a food that requires chopsticks, I’m going to go ahead and assume there’s not a lot of positions open in the field. That means you’re going to have to venture out into the corporate world. And let me inform you, when you’re interviewing with Bob from the HR team at Wal-Mart who’s wearing a tie that has the twin towers smoking with writing underneath that says “We Will Never Forget,” your art history degree says to him “I’m a commie a-hole who thinks I’m better than guys with 9/11 ties.”
What Job You’ll End Up With: After your parents boot your ass from your bedroom to make room for anything that’s not your bedroom, you’ll wander towards the nearest coffee shop and get a job there, which will allow you to meet artists who will thank you for allowing them to put fliers by the cash register that inform people of their upcoming show that touts “the combination of art and flute.”
Why It Won’t Help You Get a Job: This isn’t ancient Greece: No one is going to pay you money, or allow you to sodomize their attractive son, in exchange for your knowledge of existence. Never has there been an employer who’s said “Man, we’re having all kinds of problems, I wish we had someone on our team who could reference and draw conclusions from the story of Siddhartha that would pull up our fourth quarter numbers.” I took many philosophy classes and it involved reading and smoking a shit pile of weed. You don’t need to pay 20,000 dollars a year to do that. All you need is twenty dollars and a library card.
What Job You’ll End Up With: Thanks to your extensive knowledge of philosophy, you’re now self-aware enough to know that most jobs out there will make you totally miserable. So most likely you’ll wait tables part time and hope someone starts paying you for the bi-monthly entries on your blog.
Why It Won't Help You Get a Job: If you're not named Achmed or Bjork or G'Day Mate this isn't a degree, it's the last 18 years of your life. If you really want to study us you don't need to go to some stupid class, you need only to sit back and watch a two-hour block of Must-See TV to understand The American. After doing my own research, it seems that this mysterious creature is a pot-bellied humanoid with a hot wife and bad credit who has a penchant for low-calorie beer, Chilis, Applebees, TGIFridays, Denny's, McDonald's, Taco Bell, Dave and Busters, Steak and Shake, Chilis (again) and Red Lobster. Oh and he can totally demolish a White Castle Crave Case in, like, 20 seconds. OK, now give me my degree.
What Job You’ll End Up With: To take your American Studies degree one step further, you will be qualified to do 40-50 years of “graduate work” cleaning tables and taking orders at a Chilis, Applebees, TGIFridays or Red Lobster. Or possibly Denny’s.
Why It Won’t Help You Get a Job: I didn’t even know this was a major until I found it on the Appalachian State website. According to their actual explanation of this major: “Music therapy is the scientific application of the art of music within a therapeutic relationship to meet the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual needs of individuals.” Which is a big, fancy way of saying “We’ll teach you how to make a mix tape.” I guess I, too, am a qualified music therapist because my “Summer Jams ‘95” tape I made in the 10th grade totally rocked my house party. All my friends told me that kicking it off with Wreckz-N-Effects “Rump Shaker” followed by Coolio’s “Gangsta’s Paradise” totally met their physical, mental and spiritual needs to help them get wasted on my dad’s Schnapps and Drambuie.
What Job You’ll End Up With: After realizing that yoga studios and elderly homes don’t pay people just to come in and set mood music, you’re sadly going to end up putting your degree towards burning a fire to keep warm because you are homeless.
Why It Won’t Help You Get a Job: Go into a communications class on any given day and it’ll smell like dried semen and booze. Reason being, communications is the major for anyone who wants to graduate, but doesn’t want to stop getting totally wasted on weekdays. Here’s the bad news, if an employer is going to hire someone to help decipher how human beings communicate, he’s going to hire someone with the letters “Dr.” before their name, not the person who first checks to see if a class is offered online, then when they find out it’s not, let’s out a “gaaaaay bro.”
What Job You’ll End Up With: You’ll go to several job interviews that turn out to be pyramid schemes, even though at first you won’t realize this and come home and tell your parents, who you still live with, “They said I’ll probably be making six figures in less than a year just by selling these beer cozies.”
Why It Won’t Help You Get a Job: Despite what “Dancing with the Stars” and “High School Musical” may tell you, there aren’t a lot of dancing jobs out there—so you better be good because there aren’t any gigs for mediocre dancers. Outside of New York City or some crap in LA there is absolutely nothing you can do with a dance degree that doesn’t involve actually dancing for money. And since the Des Moines interpretive dance movement hasn’t really taken off yet, you have a better chance landing a job as an 8-Track repairman or a member of the Beatles.
What Job You’ll End Up With: After moving to New York and trying out for Hello Dolly! or Damn Yankees or any of the other seven Broadway plays that want dancers and not landing a single one because you got your dance degree from Ball State, you will find ample opportunity to show off your choreographic skills at one of the city’s many strip clubs. You’ll just need to change your name to Crystal or Bambi and you’ll be able finally live out your dream as a dancer. (Mom and Dad will be so proud!)
Why It Won’t Help You Get a Job: If someone can spend a weekend with a box of Cliff’s Notes and have only a slightly less conversational knowledge of what you spent 4 years studying, you probably don’t have the most employer friendly degree. Having an English Lit degree is like being a member of the Kansas City Royals: No one cares and the best you can hope for is every once in a while someone buys you a beer because of it.
What Job You’ll End Up With: You can read and comprehend, so that gives you an advantage over 99.5% of the people that peruse Craig’s list job listings. Therefore, you’ll most likely end up landing an entry level position at a random small company, or showing up to your interview and being raped repeatedly by a group of masked men.
Why It Won’t Help You Get a Job: Not only does no one speak this language anymore, but we already have all the Latin that exists in the world. There’s no new Latin that’s hot off the presses that needs immediate translating. I’m no business major, but majoring in a language that doesn’t exist anymore doesn’t sound so good for job security. And I’m sorry to break the news to you, but the world doesn’t need someone to translate The Bible or the inscription on the side of a Post Office or El Loco Latino’s “Latin House Party.”
What Job You’ll End Up With: Since you majored in something that doesn’t exist, you’re going to have two jobs. Your first one will be as the annoying pretentious guy who gives everyone the Latin etymology of every big word he hears at every dinner party he attends. Your second, and most lucrative job, will be as a Subway Sandwich Artist.
Why It Won’t Help You Get a Job: No one in hollywood gives a shit that you made a short film about an alcoholic albino that discovers the meaning of life through the help of a retarded child. Unless that retarded child was played by the son of Harvey Weinstein, your film or degree will be as pointless as the last three seasons of Lost
What Job You’ll End Up With: If you’re lucky, you’ll have an uncle who can get you a job as a production assistant on CSI Miami, where your time will be spent making coffee runs and finding whores that will let David Caruso pee on them.
Why It Won’t Help You Get a Job: Sorry God, but a major in Religion is about as worthless as St. Brice (The Patron Saint of Stomach Aches.) Even Duke University can’t put a solid sell on this degree: “A major in religion offers intellectual excitement and can be a pathway to a liberal education.” OK, you sold me. So now I get to shell out about a hundred thousand dollars so I can know what to wear to a Shinto ceremony and learn how many virgins Allah will give me if I blow myself up in an Israeli square? If it’s OK with you, I’ll keep my money and stick to my sinning-a-lot-now-and-repenting-on-my-deathbed plan.
What Job You’ll End Up With: This one is tricky. On one hand you’ll probably end up working behind the desk of a Christian Science Reading Room. But on the other, you may end up with everlasting peace and spiritual enlightenment. Let’s call it a draw.
You missed Fashion Merchandising. Seriously? Must be awesome being a gopher as an intern at any magazine. Carrying that extra hot skinny latte with extra foam without spilling it must make the $64,000 degree seem worth it. I am certain Tom Ford will appreciate how not a single grain was left in the cup and hire you instantaneously...Then again, what do I know? I have an acting degree and have been working ever since I convocated by 'pretending' and making out with men who are not my husband as it's a part of my job. We all gotta work somehow...I would simply rather be using my degree than being a peon.
I love how everyone is defending their so called "worst degree ever" to the death. It was a joke, not real, made up, supposed to be funny. No need to get personal and brag about how much money you supposedly make, "Quick throw up some big numbers and then that will show them how successful I've been with that degree." I thought it was hilarious and if my major was on the list I would've laughed about it, not done research to prove a joke wrong.
I had literature and culture history back in highschool and art history, communication, philosophy, and Film are the few parts of my Computer Design degree :)
In the end i can be anything :P from a businessman to a school art teacher, or even the CGI guy at some film/game studio.
And i only pay 1991USD a year :D
Far too long after I did College the hard way -- I realized that my first mistake was thinking i was ther to learn something. I now counsel my college age nieces and nephews to consider that college is all about giving people what they want. If you get good at giving people what they want you will get good grades - which show people you can deliver whatever "goods" they want.
You might learn something, but it isn't the point. The most interesting stuff will not only never be used again but no one will ever be interested.
Oh - but the real secret to college explains a lot. It is something that everyone knows but dismiss. It explains why top schools are worthwhile. It is the people you meet. Every notice how many top manager were in fraternities? In Japan they realize this even more. Japanese university student who visit American colleges are shocked to find that students are expected to study. China and India overtake the West (and Japan) because they have ancient traditions that favor tests that actually require knowledge.
There's worthless in the sense of no use to employers and worthless in the sense of no use to you. I studied business only to find out after I finished how much people IN business suck. Jobs where money is the focus *every* *single* *day* are the worst and most soul sucking and I would have studied something else had I known that beforehand.
Luckily, I landed work teaching in elementary schools and love it. Much of what I learned in business (math, concise writing, computer science, interpersonal skills, etc.) applies directly to teaching in a school, so I have managed to make use of it but BusAdmin is NOT what it's cracked up to be. The studies are fun, but if you're not someone who will whore yourself shamelessly for every dollar you can, you'll hate the jobs you will get with it.
I think everyone is missing the point. Which is: ALL MAJORS ARE USELESS (except the ones with applied skills, like comp sci), unless you, as a person are not worthless.
It doesn't matter what you major in, seriously... it's how you're able to apply what you have learned. A degree serves one purpose - to show your future employers how driven you are.
Exactly the non-exact indirect msg of this article. Any of those majors = un-driven candidate. Heck, no fuel to drive...er no wheels to push that car any further along.
You know, my university had this bachelor's degree in Recreation & Leisure Services. I know one of the dudettes in that major. She had a class to teach how to fish, and prepare a boat for sailing, and tie a knot/sail etc. Oh, and the most important, how to put together a tent (that they bought from Wal-Mart. so it already had the instructions. hmmm)
About the art history major: just because you only see one person sitting in the front of the museum (they're called receptionists) doesn't mean that there is only one job at an art museum. Curators normally work in the office in the back. It doesn't work like retail or food service.
About the film major, it's actually not that useless. I got a film degree from RISD and now I work an awesome job in the games industry making a good salary.
I laughed myself stupid at this. I have degrees in Art History AND Religion :-D And what do ya know, I don't have a job remotely related to either one of them, haha.
that just goes to show you that college isn't as important as it's made out to be. it's my opinion that if you're really gifted and talented to do something, you don't have to go to college to do it. college can help someone to get out and see new things, but then again, so can going into the u.s. navy. of course, going to college may not get a person killed like going into the military, but then again, maybe it will......
I doubled in History and Political Science, and while the degrees definitely aren't lucrative by any means, they give you some balance. Now, to actually make money, I got into a good law school to eventually practice law. I say do whatever the hell you want in undergrad, it doesn't matter one bit unless you are a teacher, nurse, pharmacist, or other professional degree that only requires a Bachelor degree. Eff it, have fun, and do what you want. College was badass
For Latin (as it IS a useless major) you 'could' also find a job as a teacher -'tus getting overrun by your students I swear I have yet to find a teacher latin who can hold order in a lesson (at least down here in Europe)
While I will concur that having a bachelor's in philosophy is fairly useless per se, bear in mind that philosophy is one of the best pre-law majors. This is according to the majority of law schools who admit more philosophy students than just about any other major. Last time I checked, a law degree is pretty much the antithesis of useless, so if you have the brains, motivation, and resources to get through law school, a philosophy major is one of the most useFUL things you could major in.
Another thing to keep in mind is that most undergrad degrees are relatively useless by themselves anyway. What matters is that you get either (a) a graduate degree in the field you want to pursue, or (b), appropriate preparation for a career while you're in college. I have friends who have majored in some of your "useless" subjects simply because they wanted to, and then went on to get JDs or PhDs in completely different areas. I also know people who were smart about getting internships throughout college and landed good, high-paying jobs right out of undergrad with majors in things like film and art. A bachelor's degree is a stepping stone--what it's in only matters so much. It's also only as good as the person who holds it.
Also, a person with ANY bachelor's degree in ANYTHING makes more, on average, than someone with only a high school diploma. In fact, the average increase in earnings from high school to college degree is $900,000 (almost a million) over a lifetime, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. I think that more than covers the cost of college, don't you? While that jump may be less drastic for some majors than others, a person with a degree in Religion will still tend to earn more than someone with no degree at all.
And I just wanted to add, JASON, that Henry Ford would not have been able to invent the Model T if it had not been for the developments of both Nikolaus Otto (German, inventor of the internal combustion engine) and Karl Benz (German, first inventor to introduce the engine in a vehicle).
And that Wernher von Braun (German, rocket and astronautics engineer) is considered the father of the United States Space Program.
etc. etc.
Jason says: "Imagine if we never shared our technologies. America would be space age compared to the world. We would be a giant in a world of hobbits."
How about, Imagine if they never shared their technologies...
These responses are quite revealing. The worthless degrees are clearly being defended by those still in denial and those few exceptions whose parents are secretly or overtly pulling strings for them (the exceptional fags nothwithstanding.) Perhaps a degree in self sufficiency would be usefull, but no college student would have an interest. College itself demands an inordinate amount of sponge-like behavior. A degree is necissary if one is to make money and be self-sufficient (not living with mommy and daddy,) yet the primary prerequisite for entry is being able to sucker other people into supporting you while you do nothing but spend money. How hard can it be to kiss a little ass (lie to mommy and daddy or whoever it is that writes the checks,) and spend 4 to 6 years pretending to "learn" something? Heres a question; define learn. I am a returning student who is going throught the motions just to get a piece of paper that says I know what I allready know. Work experience no longer counts in the American economy; it is too subjective to defend in court when the idiot who didn't get hired gets pissed and sues. Its a piece of paper that requires employers by law to trump your more capable yet less documented competitors i.e the guy with a masters in keg stands gets hired over the guy who's been doing the work untill a 'legal' (one with a degree) replacement can be found. Human Resources is another useless degree. They specialize in keeping the company from getting sued by hiring only douchbags, productivity be damned.
Yes I am bitter about busting my ass for free while watching people who should be out on the street skate. And to all the snooty fucks itching to respond. I'm getting good grades and saying WTF this is an f ing joke the whole way. I still cant figure out what college grads have to be so cocky about (my film major roomate thinks he can walk on water but cant figure out how to fill his Zippo lighter.) 8 to 16 hrs of aircraft maintainance a day is a real job. Getting twice as much to do half as much is the way things work. Because appearantly you have to have a degree to count beans and behave like a pompous ass (I still dont know why.)
Dr. Robert Goddard(American) is the father of Rocketry. The Germans used his work as a starting point for devolopement of the V-1 and V-2 rocket programs. And to call Verner von Braun and Astronautics engineer before that degree even existed is a bit presumptious. The title Engineer would suffice for a man who was helping to invent "astronautics." The Wright brothers never went to college and were everybit as much engineers as Von Braun. Its not a piece of paper that makes anyone anything. Its what they can do not what they think they can do. I've even heard some nonsense about television being invented in Scotland. The scotts appearantly never caught wind of Philo T. Farnsworth inventing the idea of an electronically scanned television set while still in highschool. He did it on his English teacher's chalkboard while bored by detention. The point is that trying to hard sell an F ing piece of paper is assinine. Some get something out of the experience others dont learn a damn thing. To treat the piece of paper like a get out of jail free card or like some entitlement to a six figure income is the very definition of insanity. Pompous ass clowns be damned. Quit trying to 'Be' something, get off your worthless asses and 'DO SOMETHING'.
I have a degree in communication studies and I, contrary to most on this forum, am painfully aware of how crappy the degree really is. I did not realize the horrible reputation that this degree had with really the whole working world. Quite frankly, it pisses me off that I worked so hard in college to have such a crappy title to my name. I am currently pursuing a Masters in Accounting and will soon shed myself of this embarrassment. I, unlike many of my comm peers, do not fit into the category of "dumb jock" "stuck up slutty cheerleader" or "uninspired brainless twit." For those of you defending comm, don't get me wrong you CAN get a job with the degree, but your credentials will never be taken very serious. I only recommend this degree if you are serious about being a salesperson or a PR person. If you want a decent salaried and respectable job, change your major. Shed your denial and embrace reality, Communication Studies is a really crappy major!
Oh, I forgot to mention. For those of you who would deny that I worked hard for a Comm. degree, F... You! I had to write a 50 page research paper for my capstone course and I had to do a major research binder on court cases relating to obscenity law, just to name a couple of things.
I will say that the upper level accounting courses I am currently taking are definitely challenging though!
For those who are curious, the last post was mine as well, but I changed my name. I'm mysterious and omnipotent like that! By the way, this whole list is pretty freaking hilarious! I love how there is a whole Great Britain vs. America battle in the responses too! Sorry about all the exclamation points!!!
true...film degrees are not the most transitionable. But if it's what you love to do, and you're not simply seeking a degree that will pay you...go for it. Like anything else...it shouldn't necessarily be geared towards "how much money will this pay me?", but rather, "Is this something I really want to do, regardless of the potential financial payoff." But...much of this info, as funny as it is, is inaccurate. A person with a film degree has lots of choices for a job, not all being a tool for some producer. :) It's about the passion...not the fucking money. Well, for some it's about the money, but not for me.
Tell me something...why in the hell do so many choose a major based off the financial return? Yes, you gotta survive. But that's partly what's wrong with America...too many people are just tools, sheep, that don't choose careers taht they actually enjoy, want to pursue, because they're more concerned about it's "respectability" and "monetary value". Sad and pathetic. Try respecting YOURSELF, damn what this brainwashed society thinks, and follow your passions. That's most important, not whether or not some lame tool will hire you so you can be his bitch :) Follow your heart, make the world work for you, not you for the world.
They missed a degree in Phys Ed! You can work in a gym or get a job as a high school gym teacher or.....hmmm..... face it if you were any good you have played a real sport and used the scholarship to get a real degree!
"All your degree shows is how trainable you are, most of the degrees on this list show that you are not very trainable and for the most part to lazy to get a real degree that dose something useful for society. And yes, I to can do a google search for “famous majors” and come up with a hand full of name of people that got that degree and made it, wow your degree still sucks and you are still lazy!"
Are you serious? These 'famous' people actually changed the world you dipshit. I mean, earning a 6 figure income will definitely change the world since the middle class is disappearing. Your conclusion is illogical and has no concrete evidence. What is a "real degree that is useful for society"? Any degree, whether it be a liberal arts, a hard science, or a business, is useless unless the person who received can utilize what they have learned and experienced. Your a complete fool for stating such an argument.
As a recent lib arts grad I've thought a lot about this. Here's some responses to some posts I've seen:
"You can do a lot of things with a (insert lib arts degree)".
Sure. You CAN do a lot of things, but most of those things don't require your specific major, if they require a college major at all. Eng Lit majors are always told they can be journalists, editors, PR people, blah blah blah, but those don't require ANY major. Plus, it would be even better to be an engineer or scientist because then at least you can write about something knowledgeably.
As for lawyer and teacher - those don't require any SPECIFIC degree. Why not just major in something where you don't have to go BACK to school immediately? You can still be a lawyer and teacher.
"Lib arts degrees are very useful they teach you how to think, asses logic, see the world, be a better person, be "educated", blah, blah, blah."
OK sure, I'll buy that reading Philosophy for four years will make you a better person. No doubt, but is that worth 80,000? I have nothing against schools offereing whatever major. If someone wants to waste four years reading that for that much money, fine. I just think schools should be honest about what careers actually need that degree.
"You lib arts majors are all just bitching".
That isn't even an argument that's just a personal attack, that is ignorant at best.
"Damn, now I can never become a movie director!"
Why? In God's name why? This should have just made you rejoice! You should be dancing in your chair, knowing that you just avoiding wasting four years of your life and a hundred thousand dollars. With just a small bit of that money you can go buy all the film equipment you need. Get all up on youtube. Read up at the library after you get off from work. REad up on teh internet. Thats' why its amazing. Free info on everyting ever.
I just wanted to say that the "Music Therapy" major is not used to create 'mood music' for yoga classes.
The major is for people who want to help people through music. Disabled, mentally challenged, or troubled kids/adolescents(sp?) are often soothed or encouraged by music. This isn't just playing music for them....this is teaching them music or allowing them to make music as a way to better their lives. A person or child who is re-learning to use their limbs (after paralysis or some sort of accident) may find it easier to use them by playing instruments or through simple dances. Troubled kids, like delinquents, may stray from their past mistakes by finding a new passion in the guitar, piano, clarinet, whatever.
It's a noble (AND GROWING!) major, and really you shouldn't make fun of it without actually being sure what it is.
Come to think of it, most of these are fairly offensive.
I'm not really 'bitching'....some of the 'Top Ten' lists and such on this site are funny! But this one just seems kind of mean. You would be surprised how many jobs you can get with any of those majors because of the knowledge you will gain by taking the classes.
..There's just a difference between poking fun at little things in life, and being cruel and insensitive. That's all.
I know, I know. 'IT'S JUST AN INTERNET ARTICLE, CUNT'. I've seen it. But still. Everybody should get some semblance of respect.
“OK sure, I’ll buy that reading Philosophy for four years will make you a better person. No doubt, but is that worth 80,000? I have nothing against schools offering whatever major. If someone wants to waste four years reading that for that much money, fine. I just think schools should be honest about what careers actually need that degree.”
Lol, Not a BETTER person. it makes you ask questions which you then become a better person because of it. Plus i wouldn’t call it a lib art (and for suggesting it: FUCK YOU!!!).
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"lib art" is just my shortening of the term, its not a political term. So you're picking a fight for no damn reason.
If you want to tell someone to "fuck off" because of that, you obviously have problems that you're letting out on the internet.
Secondly, you're picking at inconsequential crap. You can word what I said anyway you want to, my point is understood by any intelligent person who read it.
I'll say it once more since you obviously don't: The argument that lib arts are worth the 80,000 tuition for four years, just to become a better person for studying them, is garbage. You can become that damn near that educated and better person at the library with a library card.
It all depends on what type of person you are. If you're smart enough, you can make any degree work for you. Liberal Arts is far from useless, as my mom got a liberal arts degree and worked for six figures in a public relations job.
But most of this list was just a pathetic attempt at some cheap laughs. It's really annoying that none of it was really researched - I could tell the music therapy thing was complete bullshit without ever hearing of it before. Honestly, in ten minutes I could have had a better picture of the major from google. Try to have some dignity when writing for an audience, geez.
By the way... 'Draco Malfoy' is actor Tom Felton. Who happens to be making music now. Small world.
I'd like to respond, because that is basically what most people think and its a huge myth. It just isn't true that getting a career with a liberal arts major "all depends on what type of person you are." That is a huge myth and in this economy, actually its a very dangerous myth.
The problem isn't that "Liberal Arts majors are useless". That's too simplistic, but its basically true. More accurately you could say that Liberal Arts aren't AS useful in the job market, and that's definitely true.
For example, if you look at the types of jobs Liberal Arts majors get after college, you can see why they are so much less useful.
One kind many get are minimum wage jobs that require NO degree. If you went to four years of college though you should be able to get more than that. Don't laugh though, because a lot of college graduates are working minimum wage right now. I just saw an article in the local newspaper about how college grads are taking all the jobs high school kids typically get. So that's one way they are useless for grads. It would definitely save you money if you just worked minimum wage and went the library and rented books on Philosophy or music.
The other kind of job Liberal Arts graduates get are those that require ANY degree, which is also not a reason to major in the liberal arts. This is the most common kind of career that lib arts majors get, because it pays and it isn't lifting concrete or something you obviously don't need to go to college for. For example publicist, lawyer, reporter, teacher, and some government jobs. Do you see the problem here though? They STILL don't need your specific skills. You might as well have majored in a math or science, because you'd have all these options and more. You don't have to worry about going right back to school. Plus it just sucks ass to spend four years doing something very difficult, and no one need that specific knowledge.
So generally, you're majoring in something that studies a lot of things in the real world, but doesn't give you the tools to get a career in it.
Generally this is true, because again, if you look at most jobs Liberal Arts graduates get most are non-major specific or else minimum wage.
Still there's a few exceptions where they do get major-specific careers, Sociology majors can get jobs as social workers, psychology majors can get a job in marketing, etc.. but overall those are the exceptions.
So basically, I just wish Liberal Arts professors and college counselors(they're the most unhelpful) would be honest about all this. You're spending $30,000 a year. You deserve to understand this, and they don't explain it to you.
most of the time what you go to school for isn't what you end up with a job doing. I want to do film eventually but i'm going to school for design simply because it seems like i can get a job with that, but im probably fucked.
Political Science major here. Yeah, I'd probably cut my kid off too if he majored in Political Science. I got amazing grades, over-achieved to hell, and have absolutely no job prospects beyond things like "copy editor" for bullshit newsletters about cats.
When I get to be dictator (because visions of jackboots and Sam Browne belts dangle over the heads of every political science major at some point), the first in the lime pits will be anyone who makes their money off of convincing kids to major in liberal arts.
To the posts saying that the General Studies degree is worthless: In my opinion, you are correct! The General Studies degree is worthless as far as getting a job beyond 6 bucks an hour is concerned. However, the General Studies undergraduate degree is one the best degrees for grad school.
With a General Studies degree you basically have several minors, thus allowing the student their choice of grad schools. Granted you MUST have a good GPA with a General Studies degree. (3.5 and above) If the grad school requires that you take extra courses to fulfill the admission requirements of whatever field you are applying for you very simply take extra undergrad courses. A General Studies degree broadens your core based curriculum allowing you to potentially major/minor in several different fields, thus enabling you to became a jack-of-all trades in the academic world.
I do understand how the degree gets the rep that the student changed majors 14 times and just wanted to graduate. That is why I think it is important for all grad schools and employers to look at the college transcripts extensively.
My vote's in for 'Liberal Arts'. Which basically says, "for this four years, I had no f-ing idea what I wanted to do. So I'll spend another $80,000 figuring it out". A friend of mine went from LA to Religion and now teaches English as a second language for a pittance. His debt load would make me want to take a Smith & Wesson speedball.
I was an English major in college; now I'm an assistant managing editor for a financial magazine. The worst part about reading this post and all of the subsequent comments hasn't been the different opinions, it's been seeing all of the TYPOs. My eyeballs are burning.
I double majored in Philosophy and Latin, minored in Business. I make about a half a trillion dollars, and I speak well, concise, and convincing in the comment section of a humor blog. My wife has a nice ass, and we have a lot of sex. I'm basically richer, more educated, and really, just all around better than everybody who finds the blog post in question funny. My cousin's friends neice majored in Interpretive Dance of from a school that sounds really good, and has gotten major roles in all very important and talked about musicals on Broadway. I really want to go back to school to to help people through therapy with music, while guiding them on their religious paths while pulling down 6 figures at a major ad agency. Then, when I'm finished, I'll use my philosophy degree to chase ambulances and get you your child support for the children you don't have and get you your big settlement check for that wreck in which you bruised your arm and can no longer work. I will continue to impress people with my university savvy and of course, make more money than you. You will not poke fun at my expense in a humorous blog and get away with it. I will take time away from doing my beautiful wife, saving the musically deserted, waxing philosophical while dancing and communicating to major ad agencies about art history and vague English Lit. AND I will do it making a shit load of money. More money than ANY of you.
This list is pretty spot on. Might of added Psychology and certain Liberal Arts (but I noticed that they've been mentioned already) to the mix. The Film major couldn't be more truthful, too.
If you're going into a field of Science, Robotics, Mathematics, Medicine etc. then by all means, go to a University.
But if it's something like Web Design, Film, Audio Mixing etc. save your money and go to a Community College.
1) Too many over-educated f***tards seem to have found this entry offensive. WTF?? Who lit your tampon string??
2) Of the f***tards that found it offensive AND went to college... Go back and take SPELLING and BASIC WRITING, like in elementary school..? You'd have better luck coming off as INTELLIGENT if you would SPELL correctly and use proper capitalization / punctuation.
3) Most college degrees are useless. I myself am proud to have gone through industrial apprenticeship (Machining and Electrical) programs where I actually learned something useful. (Currently employed as a Mechanical Engineer.)
4) And speaking to the "making the system work for you" crowd: all the slacking off you've done, the "Good Old Boy's Club" networking, lying, cheating and general unsavory behaviors you used to get to where you are will also be your downfall. There's only so much screwing a person will take before they pull the rug from beneath your feet. In other words, "The toes you step on today may well be attached to the ass you have to kiss tomorrow."
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July 27th, 2008 at 01:18 pm
You missed Fashion Merchandising. Seriously? Must be awesome being a gopher as an intern at any magazine. Carrying that extra hot skinny latte with extra foam without spilling it must make the $64,000 degree seem worth it. I am certain Tom Ford will appreciate how not a single grain was left in the cup and hire you instantaneously...Then again, what do I know? I have an acting degree and have been working ever since I convocated by 'pretending' and making out with men who are not my husband as it's a part of my job. We all gotta work somehow...I would simply rather be using my degree than being a peon.
July 28th, 2008 at 01:55 pm
I love how everyone is defending their so called "worst degree ever" to the death. It was a joke, not real, made up, supposed to be funny. No need to get personal and brag about how much money you supposedly make, "Quick throw up some big numbers and then that will show them how successful I've been with that degree." I thought it was hilarious and if my major was on the list I would've laughed about it, not done research to prove a joke wrong.
July 28th, 2008 at 10:17 pm
I had literature and culture history back in highschool and art history, communication, philosophy, and Film are the few parts of my Computer Design degree :)
In the end i can be anything :P from a businessman to a school art teacher, or even the CGI guy at some film/game studio.
And i only pay 1991USD a year :D
July 29th, 2008 at 03:59 am
Far too long after I did College the hard way -- I realized that my first mistake was thinking i was ther to learn something. I now counsel my college age nieces and nephews to consider that college is all about giving people what they want. If you get good at giving people what they want you will get good grades - which show people you can deliver whatever "goods" they want.
You might learn something, but it isn't the point. The most interesting stuff will not only never be used again but no one will ever be interested.
Oh - but the real secret to college explains a lot. It is something that everyone knows but dismiss. It explains why top schools are worthwhile. It is the people you meet. Every notice how many top manager were in fraternities? In Japan they realize this even more. Japanese university student who visit American colleges are shocked to find that students are expected to study. China and India overtake the West (and Japan) because they have ancient traditions that favor tests that actually require knowledge.
July 29th, 2008 at 11:31 am
I have a degree in classical greek (no latin)
July 29th, 2008 at 01:08 pm
There's worthless in the sense of no use to employers and worthless in the sense of no use to you. I studied business only to find out after I finished how much people IN business suck. Jobs where money is the focus *every* *single* *day* are the worst and most soul sucking and I would have studied something else had I known that beforehand.
Luckily, I landed work teaching in elementary schools and love it. Much of what I learned in business (math, concise writing, computer science, interpersonal skills, etc.) applies directly to teaching in a school, so I have managed to make use of it but BusAdmin is NOT what it's cracked up to be. The studies are fun, but if you're not someone who will whore yourself shamelessly for every dollar you can, you'll hate the jobs you will get with it.
July 30th, 2008 at 03:26 am
I think everyone is missing the point. Which is: ALL MAJORS ARE USELESS (except the ones with applied skills, like comp sci), unless you, as a person are not worthless.
It doesn't matter what you major in, seriously... it's how you're able to apply what you have learned. A degree serves one purpose - to show your future employers how driven you are.
July 30th, 2008 at 05:25 pm
@Catherine "... to show how driven you are..."
Exactly the non-exact indirect msg of this article. Any of those majors = un-driven candidate. Heck, no fuel to drive...er no wheels to push that car any further along.
You know, my university had this bachelor's degree in Recreation & Leisure Services. I know one of the dudettes in that major. She had a class to teach how to fish, and prepare a boat for sailing, and tie a knot/sail etc. Oh, and the most important, how to put together a tent (that they bought from Wal-Mart. so it already had the instructions. hmmm)
July 30th, 2008 at 09:24 pm
About the art history major: just because you only see one person sitting in the front of the museum (they're called receptionists) doesn't mean that there is only one job at an art museum. Curators normally work in the office in the back. It doesn't work like retail or food service.
About the film major, it's actually not that useless. I got a film degree from RISD and now I work an awesome job in the games industry making a good salary.
July 31st, 2008 at 02:02 am
Those who can't act become teachers....
those who can't teach become critics.....
kinda like the guy who wrote this list.
July 31st, 2008 at 12:51 pm
I laughed myself stupid at this. I have degrees in Art History AND Religion :-D And what do ya know, I don't have a job remotely related to either one of them, haha.
July 31st, 2008 at 02:43 pm
that just goes to show you that college isn't as important as it's made out to be. it's my opinion that if you're really gifted and talented to do something, you don't have to go to college to do it. college can help someone to get out and see new things, but then again, so can going into the u.s. navy. of course, going to college may not get a person killed like going into the military, but then again, maybe it will......
July 31st, 2008 at 09:33 pm
I doubled in History and Political Science, and while the degrees definitely aren't lucrative by any means, they give you some balance. Now, to actually make money, I got into a good law school to eventually practice law. I say do whatever the hell you want in undergrad, it doesn't matter one bit unless you are a teacher, nurse, pharmacist, or other professional degree that only requires a Bachelor degree. Eff it, have fun, and do what you want. College was badass
August 3rd, 2008 at 02:38 am
For Latin (as it IS a useless major) you 'could' also find a job as a teacher -'tus getting overrun by your students I swear I have yet to find a teacher latin who can hold order in a lesson (at least down here in Europe)
August 3rd, 2008 at 01:48 pm
While I will concur that having a bachelor's in philosophy is fairly useless per se, bear in mind that philosophy is one of the best pre-law majors. This is according to the majority of law schools who admit more philosophy students than just about any other major. Last time I checked, a law degree is pretty much the antithesis of useless, so if you have the brains, motivation, and resources to get through law school, a philosophy major is one of the most useFUL things you could major in.
Another thing to keep in mind is that most undergrad degrees are relatively useless by themselves anyway. What matters is that you get either (a) a graduate degree in the field you want to pursue, or (b), appropriate preparation for a career while you're in college. I have friends who have majored in some of your "useless" subjects simply because they wanted to, and then went on to get JDs or PhDs in completely different areas. I also know people who were smart about getting internships throughout college and landed good, high-paying jobs right out of undergrad with majors in things like film and art. A bachelor's degree is a stepping stone--what it's in only matters so much. It's also only as good as the person who holds it.
Also, a person with ANY bachelor's degree in ANYTHING makes more, on average, than someone with only a high school diploma. In fact, the average increase in earnings from high school to college degree is $900,000 (almost a million) over a lifetime, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. I think that more than covers the cost of college, don't you? While that jump may be less drastic for some majors than others, a person with a degree in Religion will still tend to earn more than someone with no degree at all.
August 3rd, 2008 at 02:57 pm
Thankyou Chippleee
And I just wanted to add, JASON, that Henry Ford would not have been able to invent the Model T if it had not been for the developments of both Nikolaus Otto (German, inventor of the internal combustion engine) and Karl Benz (German, first inventor to introduce the engine in a vehicle).
And that Wernher von Braun (German, rocket and astronautics engineer) is considered the father of the United States Space Program.
etc. etc.
Jason says: "Imagine if we never shared our technologies. America would be space age compared to the world. We would be a giant in a world of hobbits."
How about, Imagine if they never shared their technologies...
August 3rd, 2008 at 05:03 pm
These responses are quite revealing. The worthless degrees are clearly being defended by those still in denial and those few exceptions whose parents are secretly or overtly pulling strings for them (the exceptional fags nothwithstanding.) Perhaps a degree in self sufficiency would be usefull, but no college student would have an interest. College itself demands an inordinate amount of sponge-like behavior. A degree is necissary if one is to make money and be self-sufficient (not living with mommy and daddy,) yet the primary prerequisite for entry is being able to sucker other people into supporting you while you do nothing but spend money. How hard can it be to kiss a little ass (lie to mommy and daddy or whoever it is that writes the checks,) and spend 4 to 6 years pretending to "learn" something? Heres a question; define learn. I am a returning student who is going throught the motions just to get a piece of paper that says I know what I allready know. Work experience no longer counts in the American economy; it is too subjective to defend in court when the idiot who didn't get hired gets pissed and sues. Its a piece of paper that requires employers by law to trump your more capable yet less documented competitors i.e the guy with a masters in keg stands gets hired over the guy who's been doing the work untill a 'legal' (one with a degree) replacement can be found. Human Resources is another useless degree. They specialize in keeping the company from getting sued by hiring only douchbags, productivity be damned.
Yes I am bitter about busting my ass for free while watching people who should be out on the street skate. And to all the snooty fucks itching to respond. I'm getting good grades and saying WTF this is an f ing joke the whole way. I still cant figure out what college grads have to be so cocky about (my film major roomate thinks he can walk on water but cant figure out how to fill his Zippo lighter.) 8 to 16 hrs of aircraft maintainance a day is a real job. Getting twice as much to do half as much is the way things work. Because appearantly you have to have a degree to count beans and behave like a pompous ass (I still dont know why.)
August 3rd, 2008 at 05:15 pm
Dr. Robert Goddard(American) is the father of Rocketry. The Germans used his work as a starting point for devolopement of the V-1 and V-2 rocket programs. And to call Verner von Braun and Astronautics engineer before that degree even existed is a bit presumptious. The title Engineer would suffice for a man who was helping to invent "astronautics." The Wright brothers never went to college and were everybit as much engineers as Von Braun. Its not a piece of paper that makes anyone anything. Its what they can do not what they think they can do. I've even heard some nonsense about television being invented in Scotland. The scotts appearantly never caught wind of Philo T. Farnsworth inventing the idea of an electronically scanned television set while still in highschool. He did it on his English teacher's chalkboard while bored by detention. The point is that trying to hard sell an F ing piece of paper is assinine. Some get something out of the experience others dont learn a damn thing. To treat the piece of paper like a get out of jail free card or like some entitlement to a six figure income is the very definition of insanity. Pompous ass clowns be damned. Quit trying to 'Be' something, get off your worthless asses and 'DO SOMETHING'.
August 3rd, 2008 at 08:09 pm
Hey everyone,
I have a degree in communication studies and I, contrary to most on this forum, am painfully aware of how crappy the degree really is. I did not realize the horrible reputation that this degree had with really the whole working world. Quite frankly, it pisses me off that I worked so hard in college to have such a crappy title to my name. I am currently pursuing a Masters in Accounting and will soon shed myself of this embarrassment. I, unlike many of my comm peers, do not fit into the category of "dumb jock" "stuck up slutty cheerleader" or "uninspired brainless twit." For those of you defending comm, don't get me wrong you CAN get a job with the degree, but your credentials will never be taken very serious. I only recommend this degree if you are serious about being a salesperson or a PR person. If you want a decent salaried and respectable job, change your major. Shed your denial and embrace reality, Communication Studies is a really crappy major!
August 3rd, 2008 at 08:12 pm
Oh, I forgot to mention. For those of you who would deny that I worked hard for a Comm. degree, F... You! I had to write a 50 page research paper for my capstone course and I had to do a major research binder on court cases relating to obscenity law, just to name a couple of things.
I will say that the upper level accounting courses I am currently taking are definitely challenging though!
August 3rd, 2008 at 08:16 pm
For those who are curious, the last post was mine as well, but I changed my name. I'm mysterious and omnipotent like that! By the way, this whole list is pretty freaking hilarious! I love how there is a whole Great Britain vs. America battle in the responses too! Sorry about all the exclamation points!!!
August 4th, 2008 at 11:44 am
Adik na nagsulat nito!!
communications major kaya ako...eh ano naman kung di nyo naiintindihan tong post ko??!!palag kayo!!
worhtless ang author!!
August 5th, 2008 at 12:37 am
Somebody said Physics -- but seriously are you kidding me dude? More than half the Wall St is run by Physics PhDs.
August 5th, 2008 at 03:43 am
Funny, I'm a comms major - there's jobs out there particularly in PR, marketing and corp comms, but most comms grad can't cut it.
The good thing about arts degrees are that most grads tend to outscale others, but after about 10 years
August 5th, 2008 at 07:55 am
true...film degrees are not the most transitionable. But if it's what you love to do, and you're not simply seeking a degree that will pay you...go for it. Like anything else...it shouldn't necessarily be geared towards "how much money will this pay me?", but rather, "Is this something I really want to do, regardless of the potential financial payoff." But...much of this info, as funny as it is, is inaccurate. A person with a film degree has lots of choices for a job, not all being a tool for some producer. :) It's about the passion...not the fucking money. Well, for some it's about the money, but not for me.
August 5th, 2008 at 07:57 am
and that film degree wont be so "worthless" if you're one of the indie filmmakers that DO find success. ;)
August 5th, 2008 at 08:01 am
Tell me something...why in the hell do so many choose a major based off the financial return? Yes, you gotta survive. But that's partly what's wrong with America...too many people are just tools, sheep, that don't choose careers taht they actually enjoy, want to pursue, because they're more concerned about it's "respectability" and "monetary value". Sad and pathetic. Try respecting YOURSELF, damn what this brainwashed society thinks, and follow your passions. That's most important, not whether or not some lame tool will hire you so you can be his bitch :) Follow your heart, make the world work for you, not you for the world.
August 5th, 2008 at 05:15 pm
You forgot anthropology. I'm an antho major but seriously, I'm living in a box after next year. At least it was fun....
August 5th, 2008 at 09:29 pm
They missed a degree in Phys Ed! You can work in a gym or get a job as a high school gym teacher or.....hmmm..... face it if you were any good you have played a real sport and used the scholarship to get a real degree!
August 6th, 2008 at 12:14 am
Genius, absolute genius. And despite what many a whiny brat commentor may think, you're right on every level.
August 6th, 2008 at 12:41 am
bobsyrunlc,
Shut the fuck up. You apparently can't hold an intelligent conversation since you're so bitter.
August 6th, 2008 at 01:21 am
"All your degree shows is how trainable you are, most of the degrees on this list show that you are not very trainable and for the most part to lazy to get a real degree that dose something useful for society. And yes, I to can do a google search for “famous majors” and come up with a hand full of name of people that got that degree and made it, wow your degree still sucks and you are still lazy!"
Are you serious? These 'famous' people actually changed the world you dipshit. I mean, earning a 6 figure income will definitely change the world since the middle class is disappearing. Your conclusion is illogical and has no concrete evidence. What is a "real degree that is useful for society"? Any degree, whether it be a liberal arts, a hard science, or a business, is useless unless the person who received can utilize what they have learned and experienced. Your a complete fool for stating such an argument.
August 6th, 2008 at 01:48 am
Thanks for the article,
As a recent lib arts grad I've thought a lot about this. Here's some responses to some posts I've seen:
"You can do a lot of things with a (insert lib arts degree)".
Sure. You CAN do a lot of things, but most of those things don't require your specific major, if they require a college major at all. Eng Lit majors are always told they can be journalists, editors, PR people, blah blah blah, but those don't require ANY major. Plus, it would be even better to be an engineer or scientist because then at least you can write about something knowledgeably.
As for lawyer and teacher - those don't require any SPECIFIC degree. Why not just major in something where you don't have to go BACK to school immediately? You can still be a lawyer and teacher.
"Lib arts degrees are very useful they teach you how to think, asses logic, see the world, be a better person, be "educated", blah, blah, blah."
OK sure, I'll buy that reading Philosophy for four years will make you a better person. No doubt, but is that worth 80,000? I have nothing against schools offereing whatever major. If someone wants to waste four years reading that for that much money, fine. I just think schools should be honest about what careers actually need that degree.
"You lib arts majors are all just bitching".
That isn't even an argument that's just a personal attack, that is ignorant at best.
"Damn, now I can never become a movie director!"
Why? In God's name why? This should have just made you rejoice! You should be dancing in your chair, knowing that you just avoiding wasting four years of your life and a hundred thousand dollars. With just a small bit of that money you can go buy all the film equipment you need. Get all up on youtube. Read up at the library after you get off from work. REad up on teh internet. Thats' why its amazing. Free info on everyting ever.
August 6th, 2008 at 07:04 pm
you forgot Medieval Studies!!
August 6th, 2008 at 08:09 pm
I just wanted to say that the "Music Therapy" major is not used to create 'mood music' for yoga classes.
The major is for people who want to help people through music. Disabled, mentally challenged, or troubled kids/adolescents(sp?) are often soothed or encouraged by music. This isn't just playing music for them....this is teaching them music or allowing them to make music as a way to better their lives. A person or child who is re-learning to use their limbs (after paralysis or some sort of accident) may find it easier to use them by playing instruments or through simple dances. Troubled kids, like delinquents, may stray from their past mistakes by finding a new passion in the guitar, piano, clarinet, whatever.
It's a noble (AND GROWING!) major, and really you shouldn't make fun of it without actually being sure what it is.
Come to think of it, most of these are fairly offensive.
I'm not really 'bitching'....some of the 'Top Ten' lists and such on this site are funny! But this one just seems kind of mean. You would be surprised how many jobs you can get with any of those majors because of the knowledge you will gain by taking the classes.
..There's just a difference between poking fun at little things in life, and being cruel and insensitive. That's all.
I know, I know. 'IT'S JUST AN INTERNET ARTICLE, CUNT'. I've seen it. But still. Everybody should get some semblance of respect.
I've said my bit, and now I'm done.
August 6th, 2008 at 08:16 pm
By the way, why is the actor that portrayed Draco Malfoy in the recent Harry Potter movies the image chosen for the Latin major?
I sort of blinked at that momentarily. I considered it, but I'm still not really entirely certain of the reason....
I guess it must have made sense to the author though.
August 7th, 2008 at 06:23 am
Dickhead Says:
August 7th, 2008 at 8:39 a
“OK sure, I’ll buy that reading Philosophy for four years will make you a better person. No doubt, but is that worth 80,000? I have nothing against schools offering whatever major. If someone wants to waste four years reading that for that much money, fine. I just think schools should be honest about what careers actually need that degree.”
Lol, Not a BETTER person. it makes you ask questions which you then become a better person because of it. Plus i wouldn’t call it a lib art (and for suggesting it: FUCK YOU!!!).
-----
"lib art" is just my shortening of the term, its not a political term. So you're picking a fight for no damn reason.
If you want to tell someone to "fuck off" because of that, you obviously have problems that you're letting out on the internet.
Secondly, you're picking at inconsequential crap. You can word what I said anyway you want to, my point is understood by any intelligent person who read it.
I'll say it once more since you obviously don't: The argument that lib arts are worth the 80,000 tuition for four years, just to become a better person for studying them, is garbage. You can become that damn near that educated and better person at the library with a library card.
And that is as "real" as it gets.
August 7th, 2008 at 06:43 am
It all depends on what type of person you are. If you're smart enough, you can make any degree work for you. Liberal Arts is far from useless, as my mom got a liberal arts degree and worked for six figures in a public relations job.
But most of this list was just a pathetic attempt at some cheap laughs. It's really annoying that none of it was really researched - I could tell the music therapy thing was complete bullshit without ever hearing of it before. Honestly, in ten minutes I could have had a better picture of the major from google. Try to have some dignity when writing for an audience, geez.
By the way... 'Draco Malfoy' is actor Tom Felton. Who happens to be making music now. Small world.
August 7th, 2008 at 10:46 pm
Aimee,
I'd like to respond, because that is basically what most people think and its a huge myth. It just isn't true that getting a career with a liberal arts major "all depends on what type of person you are." That is a huge myth and in this economy, actually its a very dangerous myth.
The problem isn't that "Liberal Arts majors are useless". That's too simplistic, but its basically true. More accurately you could say that Liberal Arts aren't AS useful in the job market, and that's definitely true.
For example, if you look at the types of jobs Liberal Arts majors get after college, you can see why they are so much less useful.
One kind many get are minimum wage jobs that require NO degree. If you went to four years of college though you should be able to get more than that. Don't laugh though, because a lot of college graduates are working minimum wage right now. I just saw an article in the local newspaper about how college grads are taking all the jobs high school kids typically get. So that's one way they are useless for grads. It would definitely save you money if you just worked minimum wage and went the library and rented books on Philosophy or music.
The other kind of job Liberal Arts graduates get are those that require ANY degree, which is also not a reason to major in the liberal arts. This is the most common kind of career that lib arts majors get, because it pays and it isn't lifting concrete or something you obviously don't need to go to college for. For example publicist, lawyer, reporter, teacher, and some government jobs. Do you see the problem here though? They STILL don't need your specific skills. You might as well have majored in a math or science, because you'd have all these options and more. You don't have to worry about going right back to school. Plus it just sucks ass to spend four years doing something very difficult, and no one need that specific knowledge.
So generally, you're majoring in something that studies a lot of things in the real world, but doesn't give you the tools to get a career in it.
Generally this is true, because again, if you look at most jobs Liberal Arts graduates get most are non-major specific or else minimum wage.
Still there's a few exceptions where they do get major-specific careers, Sociology majors can get jobs as social workers, psychology majors can get a job in marketing, etc.. but overall those are the exceptions.
So basically, I just wish Liberal Arts professors and college counselors(they're the most unhelpful) would be honest about all this. You're spending $30,000 a year. You deserve to understand this, and they don't explain it to you.
August 9th, 2008 at 03:15 pm
I'm pretty sure Archeology should be on that list.
August 10th, 2008 at 08:43 pm
most of the time what you go to school for isn't what you end up with a job doing. I want to do film eventually but i'm going to school for design simply because it seems like i can get a job with that, but im probably fucked.
August 11th, 2008 at 07:17 pm
Political Science major here. Yeah, I'd probably cut my kid off too if he majored in Political Science. I got amazing grades, over-achieved to hell, and have absolutely no job prospects beyond things like "copy editor" for bullshit newsletters about cats.
When I get to be dictator (because visions of jackboots and Sam Browne belts dangle over the heads of every political science major at some point), the first in the lime pits will be anyone who makes their money off of convincing kids to major in liberal arts.
August 12th, 2008 at 05:24 am
To the posts saying that the General Studies degree is worthless: In my opinion, you are correct! The General Studies degree is worthless as far as getting a job beyond 6 bucks an hour is concerned. However, the General Studies undergraduate degree is one the best degrees for grad school.
With a General Studies degree you basically have several minors, thus allowing the student their choice of grad schools. Granted you MUST have a good GPA with a General Studies degree. (3.5 and above) If the grad school requires that you take extra courses to fulfill the admission requirements of whatever field you are applying for you very simply take extra undergrad courses. A General Studies degree broadens your core based curriculum allowing you to potentially major/minor in several different fields, thus enabling you to became a jack-of-all trades in the academic world.
I do understand how the degree gets the rep that the student changed majors 14 times and just wanted to graduate. That is why I think it is important for all grad schools and employers to look at the college transcripts extensively.
August 12th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
My vote's in for 'Liberal Arts'. Which basically says, "for this four years, I had no f-ing idea what I wanted to do. So I'll spend another $80,000 figuring it out". A friend of mine went from LA to Religion and now teaches English as a second language for a pittance. His debt load would make me want to take a Smith & Wesson speedball.
August 12th, 2008 at 02:06 pm
I was an English major in college; now I'm an assistant managing editor for a financial magazine. The worst part about reading this post and all of the subsequent comments hasn't been the different opinions, it's been seeing all of the TYPOs. My eyeballs are burning.
August 13th, 2008 at 01:29 am
I double majored in Philosophy and Latin, minored in Business. I make about a half a trillion dollars, and I speak well, concise, and convincing in the comment section of a humor blog. My wife has a nice ass, and we have a lot of sex. I'm basically richer, more educated, and really, just all around better than everybody who finds the blog post in question funny. My cousin's friends neice majored in Interpretive Dance of from a school that sounds really good, and has gotten major roles in all very important and talked about musicals on Broadway. I really want to go back to school to to help people through therapy with music, while guiding them on their religious paths while pulling down 6 figures at a major ad agency. Then, when I'm finished, I'll use my philosophy degree to chase ambulances and get you your child support for the children you don't have and get you your big settlement check for that wreck in which you bruised your arm and can no longer work. I will continue to impress people with my university savvy and of course, make more money than you. You will not poke fun at my expense in a humorous blog and get away with it. I will take time away from doing my beautiful wife, saving the musically deserted, waxing philosophical while dancing and communicating to major ad agencies about art history and vague English Lit. AND I will do it making a shit load of money. More money than ANY of you.
August 13th, 2008 at 05:20 am
This list is pretty spot on. Might of added Psychology and certain Liberal Arts (but I noticed that they've been mentioned already) to the mix. The Film major couldn't be more truthful, too.
If you're going into a field of Science, Robotics, Mathematics, Medicine etc. then by all means, go to a University.
But if it's something like Web Design, Film, Audio Mixing etc. save your money and go to a Community College.
August 15th, 2008 at 01:09 am
You forgot being a pedal steel guitar player...oh that's right, you can't any degree ...except the 3rd degree.
August 15th, 2008 at 06:39 am
1) Too many over-educated f***tards seem to have found this entry offensive. WTF?? Who lit your tampon string??
2) Of the f***tards that found it offensive AND went to college... Go back and take SPELLING and BASIC WRITING, like in elementary school..? You'd have better luck coming off as INTELLIGENT if you would SPELL correctly and use proper capitalization / punctuation.
3) Most college degrees are useless. I myself am proud to have gone through industrial apprenticeship (Machining and Electrical) programs where I actually learned something useful. (Currently employed as a Mechanical Engineer.)
4) And speaking to the "making the system work for you" crowd: all the slacking off you've done, the "Good Old Boy's Club" networking, lying, cheating and general unsavory behaviors you used to get to where you are will also be your downfall. There's only so much screwing a person will take before they pull the rug from beneath your feet. In other words, "The toes you step on today may well be attached to the ass you have to kiss tomorrow."
Have a nice life, f***ers!!!
August 18th, 2008 at 05:06 am
this makes me scared to live
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