I read an interesting article over the weekend at MSN Money. It was a list of the 10 worst majors for your career. They compiled their list based on financial and employment data for recent graduates, and the numbers are very interesting. You should definitely check it out. Anyway, their list of the 10 worst majors includes the following:
- Anthropology
- Fine arts
- Film and photography
- Philosophy and religious studies
- Graphic design
- Studio arts
- Liberal arts
- Drama and theater arts
- Sociology
- English
It’s an interesting list and brings up somewhat of a controversial topic. For all those college students out there, how do you go about choosing a major? Do you choose one based on what you really enjoy doing regardless of the job prospects? Or do you choose one based on the job prospects regardless of whether it’s something you enjoy? I’ve seen and heard arguments for both, and I’m sure you have as well.
On the one hand, I can understand the desire to major in a field you enjoy and are really passionate about. Maybe you really love Enligsh… or history or philosophy. I can understand wanting to make a career out of something you enjoy. When your job is something you really enjoy doing, it makes it seem like less of a “job”.
On the other hand, I can understand the desire to major in a field with a great employment outlook and good starting salary. After all, the point of a job is to make enough money to pay the bills and provide for you and your family. Even if it’s not something you really “like” doing, it’s important to recognize that your job doesn’t define you as a person.
So, what’s a college kid to do? Here’s what it gets interesting… you don’t have to choose either of those paths. Rather than going from one extreme to another, you can do a little research and find a middle ground. I know this is going to sound cheesy, but they have these personality tests that can give you a pretty good idea of what careers would be a good fit for you. I remember when I was in high school I took one of these tests. Some of the careers it mentioned were in computer science, actuarial work, and accounting. I think it listed the top five, but these are the only three I remember.
Deciding on My Major
I actually started college majoring in computer science. I’d always enjoyed computers and thought it would be a good major. Unfortunately, I found that computer programming was one of the most boring things I’d ever done. It wasn’t that it was hard, I just didn’t like it at all. So halfway through my freshman year, I began searching for a new major. I had just finished a sociology course, and I really enjoyed it. I thought about making that my major. But, I took a step back and asked myself, “What kind of job can I get with a sociology major?” Unfortunately, I couldn’t really think of anything.
One of my friends was majoring in accounting. He told me the job prospects were good, and the salaries were decent. Now, I’d never taken an accounting class, but I did always enjoy my business classes in high school. I took an accounting class, thought it was something I could make a career out of, and made it my major. It’s worked out very well, and I’ve been working in accounting since my senior year. Am I passionate about accounting? I don’t know that I’d go that far. I certainly don’t mind what I do. There are certain aspects that I really like, and there are other aspects that I don’t really like. The thing is, you’ll have that with any job.
The Bottom Line
Now, I realize everyone is different. Everyone enjoys different things, and are talented in different areas. You don’t have to base your college major solely on the job prospects, but you should definitely consider the employment outlook for your major. The last thing you want is to spend four years of your life earning a certain degree, racking up thousands of dollars in student loans in the process, only to graduate and not be able to find a job.
10 comments
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Z. Grubbs
October 8, 2012 at 10:43 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
The “Middle Ground” is a great concept. No sense in spending all that money in college on a major that you “enjoy” but isn’t going to land you a job. And on the other hand, it doesn’t make sense to spend a good chunk of your life working at a job that makes you miserable. Find something you’re passionate about, and see if you can’t weave that into your career.
Justin
October 9, 2012 at 9:39 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I don’t know if this is how it is for most kids, but no one really ever talked to me about choosing a major or about jobs. I just knew that getting a good job was important, and I stumbled into my major in accounting. But I really do think parents, teachers, and counselors need to bring up these subjects when kids are starting college and choosing a major.
Sean @ One Smart Dollar
October 9, 2012 at 12:45 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I think with college tuition hitting record highs every year you really need to choose your major wisely. These days it doesn’t make a lot of financial sense to get a $40,000/yr education if your degree is only going to make you $40,000 in salary. You will struggle with debt for years after graduation.
Justin
October 9, 2012 at 9:40 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I totally agree. I’ve heard guidelines to limit your total student loan debt to what you expect your salary to be your first year after graduation, which seems pretty reasonable.
John S @ Frugal Rules
October 9, 2012 at 10:12 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I agree with Sean that it calls for students to choose wisely what they want their major to be. Or, if they even want to go to college and instead trying learning a trade that you can make a solid living in. I majored in History, which basically got me nowhere. I ended up getting an MBA in Finance which proved to be much more useful.
Justin
October 9, 2012 at 9:42 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
You bring up a good point that not everyone should even go to college. Some people are better suited to going into a skilled trade instead, and that is perfectly acceptable. A lot of times parents and teachers push students into going to college when hthat isn’t the best decision.
Lance@MoneyLife&More
October 9, 2012 at 12:18 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I always knew I wanted to be in business and ended up in accounting because of the job prospects and the fact it got me a scholarship. I am glad I didn’t pick management or marketing but finance might have been fun, although it would have been horrible timing. In the end it worked out for me but accounting is not my passion either.
Justin
October 9, 2012 at 9:44 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I think we’re pretty similar Lance. I always enjoyed business and economics, so it makes sense that I ended up in accounting. But it isn’t like I have an innate love for debits and credits, lol.
Tie the Money Knot
October 9, 2012 at 2:14 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
It really is important to balance personal interests with the realities of the job market. Nobody wants to have a career in something they find to be a drag. However, having fun but earning next to nothing or not having a job aren’t good options either!
The overriding thing is that people need to be informed on the choices they make, and view their college tuition as an investment in themselves and their future. It’s not simply a time to rack up loans and find oneself
Justin
October 9, 2012 at 9:46 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I totally agree. I very much dislike the concept of “finding oneself” at college. If you need time to find yourself, take a year off after high school to figure out what you want to do.