What college majors should I avoid?

[college]

I'm going off to college at the end of the summer and I am going to a college where I don't have to declare a major until my junior year. I'm starting to think about what I want to do, but I want to avoid majors where I won't be able to earn a living and pay off any loans I have. I have older cousines that always complain about this. My question is, what majors should I avoid so I don;t waste the money I'm spending on college?

[disneysteve]

I don't think there are any majors that are to be avoided. If you don't know what you want to do, which is true of most 18 year olds, spend the first year or two fulfilling general education requirements: english, history, math, science, etc. Take the time to figure out where your interests and talents lie. Meet with the career counseling office. Take aptitude tests. Set up time to shadow people in professions you think you might like.

Ultimately, your college major really doesn't mean nearly as much as the fact that you have a college degree. Many, many people are working in fields that aren't at all related to their degree. Use college to learn how to learn. Learn critical thinking. Learn good writing skills and good speaking skills. Learn to maximize your use of technology. Those are all life skills that will serve you well regardless of your future career.

As for loans, minimize them as much as possible. Choose a college that you can afford, even if that means doing the first year or two at community college before transferring to a 4-year program. Work during the summer and on breaks. Work during the year if possible but not if it interferes with your studies. And if and when you do borrow, take out the minimum amount you need. Don't borrow to travel or buy a car or live in a nicer apartment.

[ua_guy]

Making money after college is important, but it's more important you approach your schooling with the passion and courage to study something that resonates with who you are. No, seriously. If you're studying something just to get a degree, is spending the money on college worth it?

We're all leaving this life in the same way as we entered: Broke, naked, bald. Life is your one chance to do something you want!

[QuarterMillionMan]

These degrees are pretty much worthless;
1)History
2)Drama
3)Arts or Fine Arts
4)Liberal arts
5)Dance
6)Philosophy
7)Creative writing
8)Women studies
9)Religion


My list is almost on par with this website.

http://www.holytaco.com/the-10-most-worthless-college-majors/

[MonkeyMama]

I agree with the others. I don't think there is any degree that should really be avoided. If you follow your passions is probably the best road to success.

You could double major or minor in business or something else practical if you feel that your degree is too fluffy. My spouse and I both have business majors and it seems a common supplement to artistic degrees. So why I throw out business.

P.S. But don't spend six figures on a liberal arts degree. I think that is more the problem that many people face. Paying way too much for their education.

[disneysteve]

These degrees are pretty much worthless;
1)History
2)Drama
3)Arts or Fine Arts
4)Liberal arts
5)Dance
6)Philosophy
7)Creative writing
8)Women studies
9)Religion

I know a number of people who hold some of these degrees. All are gainfully employed in their field. Several went to grad school, but that's true with many degrees. For example, I have a good friend who has a history degree from Drew. He then went to law school and has a successful legal practice. Another friend has a theater (drama) degree from my alma mater. He is now the theater director of the college.

There is no such thing as a worthless degree. It all depends how you put it to use.

Of course, it also depends how much you spent to acquire it. As MM said, don't spend a fortune to get a degree in a lower paying field. If your passion is social work, that's great. We need good social workers, but you can't come out with 100K of debt to enter a 35K/year job. If that's what you want to do, go to a school that is affordable and won't bury you with student loans.

[rennigade]

I would choose a field where I can go almost anywhere and find a decent job with good pay/benefits/work environment. If you come from a small area this is even more important if you plan on staying in the area. Also focus on something that is not going to be outdated in a decade or so...although thats a little more difficult to predict.

Of course...the most important one is...pick a major you enjoy and will enjoy doing for quite some time.

[disneysteve]

focus on something that is not going to be outdated in a decade or so...although thats a little more difficult to predict.

Google "ten jobs that didn't exist ten years ago".

It is impossible to predict what the job market will be looking for in the future. That's why your college degree really doesn't matter nearly as much as your ability to learn and adapt, acquire new skills, show a good work ethic, get along well with others, etc. Get a good broad liberal arts education and you'll be able to fit into lots of different jobs.

[rennigade]

Google "ten jobs that didn't exist ten years ago".

It is impossible to predict what the job market will be looking for in the future. That's why your college degree really doesn't matter nearly as much as your ability to learn and adapt, acquire new skills, show a good work ethic, get along well with others, etc. Get a good broad liberal arts education and you'll be able to fit into lots of different jobs.

On the flip side you could search for jobs that have been around for 50 years...doctors, dentists, cops, trade jobs that people hate to do, teachers, nurses, programmers, medical research scientists. Theres still obvious ones that will be around for a long time...unless we perfect AI which will not be for many many years.

Most of the jobs listed that didnt exist years ago have to do with technology/social media/app development which change so rapidly. I wouldnt recommend getting into this field unless you're a programmer or a networking admin. So much turnover/layoffs.

[Jessicaemmy25]

I know that making money is of course important especially to pay off student loans and such, but I often wonder if those who choose a major simply to make a ton of money will be happy in the long run, sure your making good money but are you really doing something you truly love? I mean wouldn't you rather make minimum wage doing something you love as opposed to making a ton of money doing something you hate? anyways just my 2 cents, it's food for thought

[disneysteve]

I mean wouldn't you rather make minimum wage doing something you love as opposed to making a ton of money doing something you hate?

Thankfully, those are not the only two choices. Given that extreme example, I'd pick making a ton of money doing something I hate. That would sure beat trying to live on minimum wage.

That said, your interest, passion, likes and dislikes, and aptitude all need to enter into the decision. You shouldn't try to become a doctor if you can't stand the sight of blood. If you're lousy at math, you'll have a tough time in an engineering program. At the same time, if you hate talking to people, you'd make a lousy social worker.

There is simply no easy answer to "what major should I choose?" There are way too many variables.

[college]

I'm confused after reading all the responses. Does this mean I can choose any major I want and I will be okay financially?

[Jessicaemmy25]

yeah I get what your saying but all your life is spent working, might as well do somehing you love no? then it's not like work at all

[Thrif-t]

I'm confused after reading all the responses. Does this mean I can choose any major I want and I will be okay financially?

I guess that is all subjective. I have a DD in college and another that will be going a year from now. I'm not so concerned about them making a lot of money as I am with them being gainfully employed. Luckily they've picked majors that interest them. My DD in college now wants to be a biomedical engineer. She's interested in making artificial limbs. My other daughter wants to be a nurse. Hopefully both will be gainfully employed.

What is it that interests you? Like others have said you can't pick a major that is going to make you rich if you have no interest in it. But someone provided a good list of majors that might be a little harder to be employed in. Does that mean you won't get a job, no! Someone has to get those jobs, it's just that it might be a little harder.

[MonkeyMama]

I'm confused after reading all the responses. Does this mean I can choose any major I want and I will be okay financially?

I'd personally pick a degree that was cost effective, was in a field that you wanted to be in, had good job prospects, etc. I think it's something that should be given a lot of thought and care (& does not have to be decided right this moment).

It's just that many of us would not tell others that they should never study x, y or z. But we aren't going to be able to give you any specific advice without knowing more about you and your options.

A good place to start is talking to people in the fields you think you may be interested in.