I was an English major, and have had a more-or-less successful 40-year run as a physician.
The fraction of college "students", in all majors, who belong in college is probably 10%, or less. The chances that a graduate, in any major, will be successful has little to do with the major, and much to do with IQ (#1), ability to work and defer gratification (#2), personality (#3), and ambition (#4).
It is true, to a degree, that major is a surrogate for these things. It's believable that STEM majors have high IQs, and that education majors have low IQs. But, a high-IQ education major will wind up making $500K+ as a bureaucrat, and a low-IQ science major will wind up a 45-year old post-doc.
The whole thing is f***ed up, no doubt. But the idea that if you pick the "right major" that you have a ticket to riches is ridiculous.
The fraction of college “students”, in all majors, who belong in college is probably 10%, or less. The chances that a graduate, in any major, will be successful has little to do with the major, and much to do with IQ (#1), ability to work and defer gratification (#2), personality (#3), and ambition (#4).
...
All the articles I’ve read claim that deferring gratification and work ethic outrank IQ.
I generally agree, but there is a caveat that merit is not the only factor at play.
1. If you don’t let me in school- you’re a racist
2. If you don’t graduate me in my field of study- you’re a racist
3. If you don’t hire me- you’re a racist
4. If you don’t promote me- you’re a racist
WILL NOT GRADUATE.
But the idea that if you pick the "right major" that you have a ticket to riches is ridiculous.
Yes. Picking the "major" is one thing. Completing the program is quite another. I'm sure you learned that in med school.