#UselessDegree #Career #Living
Hey there! If you have ever been on the receiving end of the classic “What are you going to do with that degree?” question, you are not alone. Many of us have been told that our degree is “useless” or “won’t get us anywhere.” But fear not! There are plenty of success stories out there of people who have taken their “useless” degree and turned it into a thriving career. So, if you’re wondering what to do with that degree of yours, keep reading for some inspiration and guidance.
##Myth Busting: “Useless” Degrees
First things first, let’s address the myth of “useless” degrees. Just because a degree may not have a clear and direct career path like engineering or nursing, it doesn’t mean it’s worthless. Here are a few examples of degrees that are often labeled as “useless” but can lead to successful careers:
– Art History: Many art history graduates find careers in museums, galleries, and arts administration.
– Philosophy: This degree can lead to careers in law, education, and consulting.
– English Literature: Graduates can pursue careers in publishing, editing, communications, and content writing.
## Success Stories: What Can You Do with That “Useless” Degree?
Now that we have debunked the myth of useless degrees, let’s look at some inspiring success stories of individuals who turned their “useless” degree into a fulfilling career:
1. Sarah, a Psychology Major: Despite being told her degree was useless, Sarah went on to become a successful HR manager at a tech company. She used her understanding of human behavior to excel in her role.
2. Mike, a Film Studies Graduate: After facing criticism for pursuing a “useless” degree, Mike carved out a successful career as a film critic and content creator.
3. Emily, a History Major: Despite the naysayers, Emily utilized her research and analytical skills to become a successful market researcher for a global firm.
##Making the Most of Your Degree
So, if you find yourself holding a degree that others perceive as “useless,” don’t fret. Here are some tips for making the most of your degree and finding a rewarding career:
– Embrace the Skills: Even if your degree doesn’t have a clear career path, it likely equipped you with valuable skills such as critical thinking, research, communication, and analysis. Highlight these skills in your job search and interviews.
– Network: Reach out to alumni from your program who have found success in their field. They can offer guidance, mentorship, and potential job opportunities.
– Further Education: Consider pursuing further education or certifications that can complement your degree and make you a more competitive candidate in the job market.
##Regrets vs. Contentment: The Degree Debate
Finally, let’s address the age-old question: Do you regret your choice of degree or are you happy with it regardless? The truth is, it’s a personal and individual decision. While some may regret their choice of degree and wish they pursued a more “practical” field, others are content with their decision and have found success and fulfillment in their careers.
At the end of the day, your degree is just one piece of the puzzle. Your passion, determination, and ability to leverage your skills and experiences will ultimately determine your career success. So, embrace your “useless” degree and take inspiration from those who have turned it into a thriving career. Remember, success knows no boundaries, and your degree does not define your potential. It’s what you make of it that truly matters.
So, whether you’re an English major, a history buff, or a lover of the arts, rest assured that your “useless” degree can pave the way for a rewarding and fulfilling career. Embrace your uniqueness, leverage your skills, and carve out your path to success. The world is waiting for your talent and expertise!
Got a Political Science degree from a top public university. Was asked as a joke if I have found the best coffee shop to work at. Tried working as a legal assistant for about 3 years, called it quits because of the high stress and toxic work culture, and went to join a coding bootcamp. I am now a software engineer. So you can say my degree is useless now. If I had spent my time doing CS in school instead I would’ve bought a house by now. So some regrets, but you just roll with the punches, right?
I do have a degree that by itself is pretty useless (International Relations) but coupled with a focused masters and PhD can be quite powerful. Oh, and a foreign language at the very least.
Political science. Eventually got an MBA. Now a Senior Manager in IT transformation
Studied English. Now head of strategy and business development for a cancer research funder, and also part time consultant doing similar work.
No regrets at all. I have a dream job. But I never could have planned getting here.
anthropology. ended up doing a masters degree in quantitative methods in the social sciences (a lot of words for stats really). now I work as a data analyst in healthcare
i am empty inside
Studied film, yes like the art of filmmaking. I literally watched movies and would write essays on them, and then make short films as my final for a grade.
I worked in Hollywood for a bit, wasn’t for me. I worked on large shows, and was not fan of the 16 hour days. Not really a fan of Los Angeles either.
Went on to create a small marketing agency, fairly successful because I knew how to edit videos and take great photos.
With this experience I am now seeking opportunities within sales and marketing in growing companies.
Also made several short films, and one feature film, and another feature film in post production.
All my friends who who I went to school with are actively working and using their degree. A few didn’t, but they never really came to LA to try, so it’s kind of their fault. Even then, a lot of students ended up becoming videographers for companies, which is becoming a fairly normal role now in the 21st century.
Do I regret my degree? Not really, however I understand that most college degrees are “useless” if the student has little ambition. You can be equally successful these days without a degree. In fact most people I met in California who owned businesses didn’t go to college.
MFA 2018. I’m the lab manager for city-owned art facilities. It’s fine, I’m good at it. Qualifies for PSLF so I have no immediate regrets. 7 more years until the debt is gone!
Studied history. Administrator for a gov contractor. Good deal
History. Ended up with in tech sales. Been doing it 5 years. I like tech but don’t like sales. Otherwise it’s been okay. Trying to transition into IT auditing.
Studied Communication. Work as an administrator for a non-profit.
Fine art degree. Work in warehouse sorting orders.
International relations; then got an MBA but was in supply chain management
I got a BA in International Affairs. Lived in eastern Europe for a year after college teaching English. Now I’m 6 years into marketing and love it.
It’s all about how you frame your degree and skills. Honestly my International Affairs degree was me taking a lot sociology/history based classes, but the way you spin it to potential employers means more. My first job back in the US was for a multi-national company and I spun it as understanding the nuances of international businesses and cooperation. Did that for 4 years and springboarded into a much better international start-up that pays $$
Learn another language and it makes you much more hireable.
Working towards being a bartender with hopes of being a chef one day, a miner, or getting on a survey crew. Got hopes maybe someday to be a personal trainer and get another degree, but I got two felonies and a misdemeanor and don’t know how it would go when it comes to job prospects and employability.
A lot of my co workers are in sales tech, they have degrees in like history and psychology, ones an interior designer. Some others are in HR. With english degree we got a copywriter and technical writer. Everyones doing quite well. Tech companies got all sorts of people, skills are transferable.
Man all these people with good jobs now. I was unemployed for a solid year. Best I could do was become a substitute teacher which eventually lead me to full time teacher. Hated my life. Now I work in customer service.
History. Started as marketing web developer and writer. I’m now in digital accessibility.
I got a degree in writing and communication. I work in marketing automation. I don’t regret it because writing and communication are pretty important in most career fields and after spending time in the workforce, it’s pretty clear a lot of people didn’t get that memo. It has greatly benefitted me.
I have a BA in ‘Music Industry’… I know lmao. I actually was able to get into the field through royalty reporting positions in Nashville and got super interested in how to automate the redundant tasks I was doing daily. Got into Bash scripting, Python, and a little bit of Postgres. I am far from a Data Engineer or Analyst, but can do a lot more than the average royalty administrator so I was able to get a pretty decent salary for Nashville standards.
Anthropology. I taught at a university for a couple of years and then transitioned into a finance related industry. I work the back end in payments processing. I hate it.
I’m unemployed lol
BA – history
Analytical lead
Not me, but my friend turned his English degree into a radiology job. The radiology program only required a bachelor’s degree to join. They didn’t care what your major was.
Print Journalism in 2009.
I do consulting at an accounting firm.
It fucking blows.
Dual majored in political science and communications.
Master’s in international relations.
I work for a campaign advertising firm that does 2024 election ads and high profile nonprofit work.
Considering law school in a few years.
I’ve also worked in politics + international journalism, interned for congress and some govt. bodies, and interviewed at a lot of tech firms, governmentnt agencies and nonprofits (as a writer and press person.)
I was often told I’d never get a job in poly sci and that comms was a useless degree, but the US govt is a huge employer and communications jobs are honestly even better.
I did not get a “useless degree” (saying that with heavy sarcasm” but I did get a nutrition degree, and then go through a dietetic internship (which cost wise is essentially equivalent to a 5th year of college) and i do not work in the field or use my degree at all.
Edited to add: my choice of degree was based on the eating disorder I had at the time, I would love to go back and not have dealt with either of those, lol.
I got two useless degrees. The first was a BA in political science and the second was a juris doctor. The first was inherently useless. The second was only useless because after I started practicing law I immediately hated it and it made me depressed and anxious.
I now am a cybersecurity engineer at an insurance company. I also do some freelance software development and consulting work on the side. I am happy now with my career but i wasted about 9 years of my life and accumulated a lot of debt.
English lit too. Started the typically path of barista, then teaching abroad to call center and then in tech being a support engineer. So you really never know where it will take you! 🤷🏻♀️
Studied Communication which was viewed as a blowoff degree for athletes.
I’m now a Data Scientist.
I don’t regret the Comm degree, that’s a very important skill for DS. Most people in this field suck at communicating which holds them back more than they realize. I wouldn’t say you need an entire degree for it though.
Studied history. I’m a UX Researcher. I’m extremely happy with what I studied. My coursework was vigorous and illuminating. I was raised in a strict Nigerian household and was told I was useless because I didn’t study engineering.
Follow your own path.
I literally have the most useless degree imaginable. A BS in Arts & Letters. It’s basically a general degree because I kept changing majors. I now work for the government
Got a bachelors degree in Geography… graduated over a year now… officially unemployed for the past three months ago now…
BA in Sociology with a Concentration in Human Services. First job in my home state after college was for a non-profit housing homeless families working as a Shelter Worker making 13.85/hr. Promoted 3 times to a Program Supervisor to make a whopping ~17.75 to be on call 24hrs a day. I was beyond stressed, quit and moved across the country to SF where I had extended family who rented me a room and gave me time and space to figure it out.
Bartended for 3.5 years before getting hired as a 911 dispatcher which is more along the lines of what I wanted to do, though I didn’t know at the time that it was that position.
Been dispatching for 7 years this year. It has its moments both good and bad but with OT I made just under $200k this year. And the sense of purpose and fulfillment from the position I think is what I was seeking most.
Degree in Art History with no intention of teaching. Thought I was gonna get some fancy high-paying job in an art museum. Reality took too long to set in as I spent 5 years going from one low-paying, temporary grant-funded job to another while not really gaining any marketable skills outside of museums and libraries.
Now I’m an Administrative Assistant in academia, hate admin work, making $40k a year with 15 years of work history under my belt and trying to figure out what I *really* want to do when I grow up….at 38.
0/10 do not recommend.