What college majors should I avoid?

[disneysteve]

I still feel a lot of these "skills" can be obtained for free from life experiences.

That's true, but good luck getting a job when you don't have a college degree.

[superstah]

I wouldn't be afraid of looking at your options and taking the time needed to do so. But I would be afraid of doing something like that without trying to be financially smart about it.

If you don't have scholarships/grats that will pay for college, there is nothing wrong with going to a community college first.

Depending on your level of uncertainty in what to do in life, I typically prefer the community college route, especially if you are thinking of something like science/engineering but are not completely sure if that is where you will want to be. Coming from an engineering background (Chemical Engineering), I know that in these majors, the first two years will usually require you to take specific introductory pre-requisite courses for upper division courses. Also keep in mind that the college may offer classes specific for certain majors: a calculus series for business majors vs a calculus series for science/engineering majors. If you take the wrong series, you may be ineligible to take the upper division classes. These delays while being at a 4-year university can cost a lot.

If you can get good grades at community college, transferring to a great university can be easier than getting into that university as a high school graduate. Unfortunately many high schools do not emphasize this because they want the statistics of putting students straight into 4 year universities. I believe that many students are simply not prepared/ready to tackle a 4-year degree because of things like uncertainty.

[elessar78]

Any and all college students and parents should check out Scholly.

It's a scholarship aggregator database/app—download it to your phone, plug in pertinent details and it'll match you up with scholarships you are eligible to apply for. IMO, searching and applying for scholarships is an excellent use of your time. Arguably, it may even be better than taking a part time job in terms of net income.

Also, ask around at local businesses and trade groups (Rotaries, Granges, etc) most have scholarships that go unclaimed and these businesses and groups are just looking to give it away!

[Singuy]

That's true, but good luck getting a job when you don't have a college degree.

You are forgetting that TIME is an important assest. There are plenty of jobs in which you start out low and work your way up(given that you have good work ethics) without a need for a degree.

For example:

You are 22 years old with a social science major and 65k worth of debt. You can't find a job in your field so you become a bell boy making 25k/year.

You are are 18 yo, you become a bell boy making 25k/year.
Say in 4 years, you are promoted through hard work to be a bell boy manager.
At 22 yo, you are 100k ahead vs -65k down..AND you are a manager.

If you are going to get a job in a field that doesn't require a degree, then why get one? I know there are plenty of studies showing that an college education yields you more income, but I'm not sure if that's comparing apples to apples(as in more income doing the same exact job). I seriously doubt that you get paid more as a bell boy, or a server, or a cashier at the mall because you have a degree.

[JoeP]

You are forgetting that TIME is an important assest. There are plenty of jobs in which you start out low and work your way up(given that you have good work ethics) without a need for a degree.

For example:

You are 22 years old with a social science major and 65k worth of debt. You can't find a job in your field so you become a bell boy making 25k/year.

You are are 18 yo, you become a bell boy making 25k/year.
Say in 4 years, you are promoted through hard work to be a bell boy manager.
At 22 yo, you are 100k ahead vs -65k down..AND you are a manager.

If you are going to get a job in a field that doesn't require a degree, then why get one? I know there are plenty of studies showing that an college education yields you more income, but I'm not sure if that's comparing apples to apples(as in more income doing the same exact job). I seriously doubt that you get paid more as a bell boy, or a server, or a cashier at the mall because you have a degree.

Your example is not typical, at least in my area, because you normally don't see a 4x increase in pay in just 4 years. There may be jobs that do that, but they must be rare to the point where I would not bank on that plan.

What is more typical in my area for those who want to skip the college route and earn enough to live comfortably: Get a union job with a municipality and stay in the public sector. Hiring slots have a lot has to do with state, county, and town budgets. The other big sector here is sales: cars, furniture, insurance, retail.

[disneysteve]

If you are going to get a job in a field that doesn't require a degree, then why get one?

No argument here. If there is a field that appeals to you that doesn't require a degree, or at least having a degree doesn't help you advance or earn more, I'd see nothing wrong with skipping the college experience.

Most professions, however, do require a degree. There probably aren't many folks out there who aspire to become bellboys.

[Singuy]

Your example is not typical, at least in my area, because you normally don't see a 4x increase in pay in just 4 years. There may be jobs that do that, but they must be rare to the point where I would not bank on that plan.

What is more typical in my area for those who want to skip the college route and earn enough to live comfortably: Get a union job with a municipality and stay in the public sector. Hiring slots have a lot has to do with state, county, and town budgets. The other big sector here is sales: cars, furniture, insurance, retail.

I think you miss read my calculation..you are "100k" ahead meaning you made 25k/year for the past 4 years=100k earned vs 65k lost to college/living expenses.

[Singuy]

No argument here. If there is a field that appeals to you that doesn't require a degree, or at least having a degree doesn't help you advance or earn more, I'd see nothing wrong with skipping the college experience.

Most professions, however, do require a degree. There probably aren't many folks out there who aspire to become bellboys.

No one attends a university wanting to become a bellboy..but if you go into a university without a direction and just take a bunch of social science liberal arts classes, then that is what you are becoming..an "educated" bellboy. Maybe you can have a conversation with other bell boy co-workers about oceanology or geology because you got As in those classes, but that's about it.

College is a gateway to success ONLY if you use it correctly..or else it's a nonsensical trap..and I would even say the MAJORITY of college graduates(51%+) got conned.

[dczech09]

I will try to add a fresh point of view here...

Imagine you have three circles all intertwining. One is "Interests," one is "Competencies," and one is "Money." You want to find a college focus, or career path, that hits the center and considers all three items.

Interests. What are you interested in? What are you passionate about?
Competencies. What are you good at? What are your strengths?
Money. How much money would you be borrowing? How much would you expect to make after college?

There are certainly college majors that you want to avoid if it means borrowing a ton of student loans. The reason why is because these programs are typically offered at expensive private universities, result in copious amounts of debt, and make it difficult for people to find relevant employment after school. Really any job opportunities are far and few between and I have met many people who have got burned with these majors...

Women Studies
Philosophy
Religious Studies
Gay Studies
Ethnic Studies
Sociology
Psychology (bachelor only)
Music History
German Polka History
Russian Literature
Dance
Acting

NOTE: I live near a big-name private liberal arts university that charges tuition rates of about $52,000 per year. I know many people who have graduated with difficulties finding gainful employment. However, I will be fair in saying that many people attend this particular school not for employment, but for pursuing an interest.

Conversely, there are majors that are usually considered to be good. However, it is important to factor in interests, competencies, and money when choosing a major regardless.

If you have the scholarships, the cash, or the resources, then study whatever you want to study! However, if you are going to be borrowing a ton of money, then please avoid the "unmarketable" majors for your own good!

[disneysteve]

College is a gateway to success ONLY if you use it correctly

just take a bunch of social science liberal arts classes, then that is what you are becoming..an "educated" bellboy

I agree with the first part of the quote. I don't necessarily agree that the 2nd part follows, though. Why can't you get a "social science liberal arts" degree and "use it correctly" to have a fulfilling career doing something other than being a bell boy?

[disneysteve]

There are certainly college majors that you want to avoid if it means borrowing a ton of student loans.

I agree, and said as much earlier in the thread. That doesn't mean those are worthless degrees, just that they need to be entered into appropriately.

[Singuy]

I agree with the first part of the quote. I don't necessarily agree that the 2nd part follows, though. Why can't you get a "social science liberal arts" degree and "use it correctly" to have a fulfilling career doing something other than being a bell boy?

How is "Studies of South African Culture" relevent to any type of employment? To make matters worst, you and the other 30% of the graduates have the SAME or similiar degree(if you ever sit through a college graduation, the liberal arts degree has the MOST graduates).

I haven't even talked about how a lot of graduates stay unemployed because working as a bell boy is beneath them..so they spend years at their parents house "looking for a job".

Here are some research for you, 48% of college graduates work at a job that doesn't require a degree and 38% of those work at a job that doesn't even require a high school diploma.

http://centerforcollegeaffordability.org/research/studies/underemployment-of-college-graduates/

[jeffrey]

Here are some research for you, 48% of college graduates work at a job that doesn't require a degree and 38% of those work at a job that doesn't even require a high school diploma.

My guess is those number might be somewhat deceiving. I work at a job that doesn't "require" a college degree, but I would not be nearly as successful at doing this without a college degree.

[Singuy]

My guess is those number might be somewhat deceiving. I work at a job that doesn't "require" a college degree, but I would not be nearly as successful at doing this without a college degree.

Than people I guess people like Bill Gates are the opposite of you..became super successful doing a job that usually requires a degree but he never got one.

[richard johnson]

I think, you need to pick that subject in which you take interest. For example, if you are interested in science or engineering, you need to pick them or if you're interested in accounting or finance then you have to go with them.