10 Worst College Majors (LIP)

[aspentosh]

Really, English? I am a little surprised by that one. Otherwise I do agree.

[Deleted]

I'm surprised history wasn't in there?

[Awkward]

I'm somewhat shocked that history isn't on the list! (said the history major)

SO's major is #4, unemployed BFF has a #10, and before I picked history I waffled between a #9 and #1. I was never destined to be wealthy.

[Deleted]

I wish they'd divide up number 8 into acting majors and tech/design majors. The actors are bringing down the average.

Employment in the tech side is up, most of the freelancers I know have shops fighting over them and most jobs start above the median level in the slideshow.

[Mrs.Beagle]

Oct 11, 2012 10:47:58 GMT -5 @ameliapond said:

I wish they'd divide up number 8 into acting majors and tech/design majors. The actors are bringing down the average.

Employment in the tech side is up, most of the freelancers I know have shops fighting over them and most jobs start above the median level in the slideshow.

That job looks like so much fun. I loved working behind the scenes.

[Deleted]

I'm surprised English is on there but Political Science is not.

I wish someone would have told me English would have been a much better major to prepare as an attorney. Poli Sci was pretty useless. All it did was boost my GPA once I switched over from Biology.

[Mrs.Beagle]

Also, I'm patting myself on the back here that my major is not in the top 10 (Psychology).

[Deleted]

I'm sad that only one of my majors made it. I think both should have

But we're number 4! We're number 4!

[Kore]

Loser anthro major signing in.

[Deleted]

So you are telling me not to let my kid go to an Arts MS/HS . I wanted to major in Fine Art but convinced myself to do a profession with an art aspect. It was probably a wise choice.

[Deleted]

BTW, "liberal arts" is an actual major? Is that some code for individual studies or something?

[Deleted]

I'm shocked history isn't on there. But, at least I was a double major with history and business admin.

[Deleted]

My feeling is that unless you are in a specific program, like business, engineering, pre-med, etc-- most liberal arts majors are useless unless you go to grad school.

[housegeek]

#3 signing in. But I do believe the arts are important.

[Deleted]

Oct 11, 2012 10:50:25 GMT -5 v said:

BTW, "liberal arts" is an actual major? Is that some code for individual studies or something?

More like general studies... but yes

[Kore]

Oct 11, 2012 10:53:00 GMT -5 @iheartcosmos said:

My feeling is that unless you are in a specific program, like business, engineering, pre-med, etc-- most liberal arts majors are useless unless you go to grad school.

Yep. They're good for generic jobs that have a degree requirement for the sake of having a degree requirement.

[Deleted]

Oct 11, 2012 10:54:48 GMT -5 vigurl said:

Oct 11, 2012 10:50:25 GMT -5 v said:

BTW, "liberal arts" is an actual major? Is that some code for individual studies or something?

More like general studies... but yes

General studies as in the programs offered to non-traditional students? That makes sense.

[flygirl22]

I agree somehwat but I imagine this really depends on your life ambitions.
For example, if you want to be a paster (my father), Philosophy and religious studies is probably not a bad choice... Though he got his Bachelors in Music, so.. there is that.

[Kore]

Oct 11, 2012 10:57:13 GMT -5 v said:

Oct 11, 2012 10:54:48 GMT -5 vigurl said:

More like general studies... but yes

General studies as in the programs offered to non-traditional students? That makes sense.

Here, general studies means pick 3 minors instead of a major. Along with the core curriculum required of all liberal arts majors.

[Pom]

My niece is graduating in December with a Sociology major with a double minor in History and Psychology. This post does nothing to improve my concerns for her.

[Awkward]

Oct 11, 2012 11:00:15 GMT -5 Kore said:

Oct 11, 2012 10:57:13 GMT -5 v said:

General studies as in the programs offered to non-traditional students? That makes sense.

Here, general studies means pick 3 minors instead of a major. Along with the core curriculum required of all liberal arts majors.

Oh man, part of me wishes that had been available at my school. The other part is glad that I was saved from the possibility of degree in a combo of art history, psychology, and sociology. I would have made the perfect MRS degree candidate.

[ESF]

I don't think it's that weird that history and political science aren't on there. Both majors have a lot of specializations or angles that could set someone up well for careers in government, nonprofits, public policy, etc. Moreso than the other majors on that list anyway.

[adlove]

Mine should be on there. Fashion Merchandising.

[ESF]

Oct 11, 2012 10:53:00 GMT -5 @iheartcosmos said:

My feeling is that unless you are in a specific program, like business, engineering, pre-med, etc-- most liberal arts majors are useless unless you go to grad school.

Or are well connected/network like crazy. Or go to an Ivy or other well regarded school, where people don't really care so much about your major.

Or volunteer for six months until the place decides to hire you, like my husband who was a European history major, who volunteered at a Holocaust memorial organization after he finished his BA until they gave him a paying job.

[krystee]

I am happy to say that my English major turned out just fine. That said, if my future kid wanted an English major, I'd definitely encourage a second major in something practical to go with it.

[ladygrey]

Does anyone actually work in a field directly related to their undergrad major (not including those who went on to med/law/grad school)?

I'm a former English major and am happy to report that I'm doing well. It's a great foundation for lots of careers.

[childofhiphop]

Oct 11, 2012 11:21:38 GMT -5 ladygrey said:

Does anyone actually work in a field directly related to their undergrad major (not including those who went on to med/law/grad school)?

Yes.... said the undergraduate engineering major.

[pugz]

My major was not on the list (family and human services, it is 1/3rd family science, 1/3rd psych, and 1/3rd biblical studies) my major was 75% women getting their MRS, most are SAHMs but a few of us went on to get a masters degree, either in social work, counseling, marriage and family therapy and a couple went on to seminary or law school.

the degree by itself is pretty useless, as are most on that list, you really need a grad degree or a kick ass internship that opens doors (thinking graphic design here) to make a living.

[gt7301b]

Oct 11, 2012 11:30:37 GMT -5 childofhiphop said:

Oct 11, 2012 11:21:38 GMT -5 ladygrey said:

Does anyone actually work in a field directly related to their undergrad major (not including those who went on to med/law/grad school)?

Yes.... said the undergraduate engineering major.

Another engineer signing in.

[flygirl22]

Oct 11, 2012 11:30:37 GMT -5 childofhiphop said:

Oct 11, 2012 11:21:38 GMT -5 ladygrey said:

Does anyone actually work in a field directly related to their undergrad major (not including those who went on to med/law/grad school)?

Yes.... said the undergraduate engineering major.

ditto.