The top 10 most-regretted college majors — and the degrees graduates wish they had pursued instead

CNBC ^

[FarCenter]

Even with college application season in full swing, many families are questioning whether a four-year degree is still worth it.

Some experts say the value of a bachelor’s degree is fading and more emphasis should be directed toward career training. A growing number of companies, including many in tech, are also dropping degree requirements for many middle-skill and even higher-skill roles.

...

Still, 44% of all job seekers with college degrees regret their field of study.

Journalism, sociology, communications and education all topped the list of most-regretted college majors, according to ZipRecruiter’s survey of more than 1,500 college graduates who were looking for a job.

...

Of graduates who regretted their major, most said that, if they could go back, they would now choose computer science or business administration instead.

[Alberta's Child]

Good post. I’m an engineer by trade. One reason engineering majors tend to go on and work in their field is that the undergraduate education gets very specialized early on. My first-year course load was dominated by STEM courses that would have been spread out over 5-6 semesters in any other major (if they even took them at all). My first specialized courses in my major showed up on my curriculum in the first semester of my sophomore year. As a result, many of these first and second year courses don’t necessarily transfer well to other fields if the student changes majors.

What this also means is that — unlike many other majors — very few people enter an engineering undergraduate program if they’re uncertain about their major. A STEM major is not the right place to find out whether you like a chosen career field.

[antidemoncrat]

Wait wait wait ... why wasn’t Gender Studies the top of the list for the most regretted degree obtained?

[Leaning Right]

Students must do their own due diligence, of course.

But it’s worth noting that colleges will shamelessly lie to you. For example, let’s say some kid is interested in theater studies, and so meets with an advisor from that department. The advisor will fill the student’s head with all the great things you can do with a degree in theater studies.

The advisor’s goal of course in not to help the kid, but to keep up the numbers in his department.

[SgtHooper]

“...how much change does the clerk hand you back?”

All of it! Empty the till buddy, or I’ll shoot yo a$$!

[ballplayer]

Should have picked democrat politician,pays off

[PAR35]

So, no regrets for those variois gender and ethnic studies degrees?

[linMcHlp]

Just a note: Economics courses failed in a big way, at explaining INFLATION. Everbody recommending a schedule or table to follow, re savings, also skipped that.

Another note: The cost of energy, was also not given enough importance - in addition to the strength of that cost, at spreading a much more stubborn ripple effect.

Also, in general, Accounting and Economics were not introduced/taught in high school - big mistake.

[Gaffer]

And the ever-present Bitter Women’s Studies.

[wally_bert]

I took a lot of business classes and really didn’t see them getting me anywhere at the time.

There was some money left over so I took the TV production program and got into a slot in public broadcasting but it became a dead end career back in the early 00s.

I took some night classes in computer repair that eventually led to a good paying job after paying my dues as a contractor here and there.

[bert]

In retirement, I have attended several weeklong workshops with intense hands on metal work training. They take place in the studios of schools of fine arts.

At one evening introductory visit to the glass studio, the resident artist began with the question?

“What is the difference between an artist making things from glass and a Domino’s large pizza? “

Hmmmm....... The Domino’s pizza will feed a family of four

[laweeks]

My BA in Medieval Plumbing never paid off

[OttawaFreeper]

I majored in history, but knew near the end of my days as a full time student I needed something practical so I began taking courses in accounting and computers at a nearby community college. Have been in finance/accounting for more than 25 years now.

[grey_whiskers]

You still need help.

Your post started with

I have meditated this last year on MY Dick

which sent me immediately into Beavis and Butthead mode...

[Hojczyk]

This is worth reading…

Musk showed other companies that college does not mean you can actually help the company…

Building a rocker requires hands on knowledge..not theory they teach in college…

Liftoff: Elon Musk and the Desperate Early Days That Launched SpaceX

In Liftoff, Eric Berger, senior space editor at Ars Technica, takes readers inside the wild early days that made SpaceX. Focusing on the company’s first four launches of the Falcon 1 rocket, he charts the bumpy journey from scrappy underdog to aerospace pioneer. We travel from company headquarters in El Segundo, to the isolated Texas ranchland where they performed engine tests, to Kwajalein, the tiny atoll in the Pacific where SpaceX launched the Falcon 1. Berger has reported on SpaceX for more than a decade, enjoying unparalleled journalistic access to the company’s inner workings. Liftoff is the culmination of these efforts, drawing upon exclusive interviews with dozens of former and current engineers, designers, mechanics, and executives, including Elon Musk. The enigmatic Musk, who founded the company with the dream of one day settling Mars, is the fuel that propels the book, with his daring vision for the future of space.

[where's_the_Outrage?]

I have a BS with a Math major and military science minor. Both of these more than paid for themselves over the years. In the case of military science that monthly retirement check is very much appreciated.

[bk1000]

Ok, it’s early, and the way I read that first sentence……

lol

[2nd Amendment]

I’m a black gay woman and I resent that remark

[knarf]

Thanks for pointing that out.

I think a few thousand folks here in FR would LOVE to have a re-do button.

[Texas resident]

I was in engineering and decided to take business courses as electives. Ended up with an engineering degree and an economics degree. Spent 30+ years in industrial sales.

Now I sell real estate part time. Semi retired.

[knarf]

Some one JUST pointed that out to me.

I have no defense.