this post was submitted on 09 Mar 2025
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[–] exasperation@lemm.ee 6 points 7 hours ago

A bachelor's degree isn't a vocational degree. It's ok to major in something you don't intend to work in, because at the end of the day more than half of college educated workers aren't working in their field of study. Part of the reason is because the typical 4-year degree teaches only barely enough to scratch the surface of what actually happens in industry, and those entry level workers need to learn a ton on the job anyway.

Here's a helpful chart of career outcomes by major. Note that many of these undergrad majors tend to be feeders into graduate or professional programs, and that a lot of the joke majors in the humanities and liberal arts have long term outcomes that are better than the sciences. Compare biochemistry to philosophy, for example. Both of those majors kinda expect people to go get graduate or professional degrees after, but the unemployment and underemployment rates are pretty similar.

Have a plan for getting a job. Whether that plan involves a specific major or not is up to you, and isn't strictly required. It's mainly engineering that provides a specific pipeline from undergrad degree to specific career in that field. All the others are much looser about which degree is required, or require additional schooling to enter (and once you have a graduate or professional degree, your undergrad basically doesn't matter).

[–] RangerJosey@lemmy.ml 4 points 7 hours ago

The American DayDream.

[–] thickertoofan@lemm.ee 4 points 7 hours ago

as a cs major, you kicked me in the stomach with this one

[–] DeusUmbra@lemmy.world 8 points 9 hours ago

I went for a major that I thought sounded interesting but wasn't really passionate about, and I figured would have good job options. Then I graduated... during the height of covid.

[–] nroth@lemmy.world 26 points 18 hours ago

This is generally true. My brother is a musician, and he struggles to find work. I got lucky growing up working on programming projects until 3am for fun, then being interested in database research and later AI research several years before people started paying attention. I think we need a UBI so that the people who don't want to build stuff can do what they want instead of going into marketing or sales, or anything that's a net drain or neutral on society.

[–] some_guy@lemmy.sdf.org 13 points 19 hours ago (3 children)

Friend majored in philosophy. Guess how much he got to use that?

[–] Katrisia@lemm.ee 8 points 10 hours ago (2 children)

I didn't graduate in philosophy, but the little I know about it is useful every single day.

I guess monetary success is capricious in philosophy; they all cannot be Chomsky or Žižek (because unfortunately intellectual stardom is reserved for a few by definition in any given field). Also, academic environments are depressingly unfair and are influenced by ridiculous factors more than they should. But is money all there is to life for someone that most likely loves to learn, to ponder, to explore? Answers might vary among them.

[–] exasperation@lemm.ee 2 points 7 hours ago

I graduated with a philosophy degree. I'm a lawyer now. So are a huge chunk of my classmates from undergrad.

Even the ones who didn't go on and get more schooling tended to find white collar work in some kind of business, same as the people who majored in business administration, finance, marketing, other business school fluff.

There are plenty of majors that are interesting and help students learn how to think, how to write, and how to research. And there are plenty of career paths that don't care about major, just want to see a 4-year degree for their entry level people.

[–] some_guy@lemmy.sdf.org 1 points 8 hours ago (1 children)

Exactly the sort of answer I'd expect from a philosopher (and I greatly appreciate it as someone who loves learning and knowledge). My friend did go into tech with his philosophy degree. It's certainly not that he didn't get to use knowledge from the field. Just that there's no gig being a philosopher in modern times.

[–] Katrisia@lemm.ee 1 points 7 hours ago

Thank you, although I'm just a master of none... Yes, I imagine looking for a job with a philosophy degree is limiting. On TikTok, I've noticed some recent graduates working on self-made projects (magazines, private classes, etc.). That's a creative solution that I hope works out for them.

[–] SaharaMaleikuhm@feddit.org 3 points 11 hours ago

Is he still getting invited to parties?

[–] sheogorath@lemmy.world 5 points 17 hours ago

I spent one year on philosophy before changing major to engineering because I can't stand how pompous the people are. Although that intro to philosophy actually helped me in my career. YMMV tho.

[–] Eeyore_Syndrome@sh.itjust.works 34 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

Scuse me, I burned ~46k on a culinary arts A.S. degree. 🖖

The world needs moar Neelixes.

Wish I did engineering/tech hardware tho.

Maybe self learning how to fix my own motherboard's/firmware can happen some day.

Hobby of PC building/self-linux administering for ~20 years.....do I know more than some fresh grads? Probably lol.....

[–] HappySkullsplitter@lemmy.world 20 points 1 day ago (1 children)

The grass is always greener I suppose

I did engineering, wish I had done something like culinary arts

After all day engineering, I come home and watch chefs on YouTube and botch their recipes in the kitchen while daydreaming about running a chaotic professional kitchen

[–] henfredemars@infosec.pub 8 points 21 hours ago (2 children)

Three of our best senior engineers eventually decided to become farmers. One “retired” to be a personal chef.

I’m just saying.

[–] buzz86us@lemmy.world 4 points 20 hours ago

Farming requires a lot of engineering expertise.

[–] HappySkullsplitter@lemmy.world 2 points 20 hours ago (1 children)

I quit and became a truck driver for a while

[–] henfredemars@infosec.pub 2 points 19 hours ago

I’ve had fantasies of becoming a bus driver.

[–] peoplebeproblems@midwest.social 56 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

Me, freshmen year of college: "I'm going to major in computer engineering - with additional math and physics courses. Capable of designing all sorts of cool stuff, and get paid well"

Me 16 years later: "I don't know what the fuck I'm doing, I don't know what the fuck management wants, I don't know what the fuck I want to do, but at least I get paid well."

[–] HappySkullsplitter@lemmy.world 15 points 1 day ago (2 children)

I'll never forget my first one on one with the director of my engineering department.

I had been languishing away for a month at this new job trying to get a bearing on what they want from me when thankfully I got an email from the director scheduling a meeting to discuss just that.

It was a major turnaround, I felt like my life was going to finally get a dose of meaning and direction.

During the meeting the director said he needed me to write some software but gave no real specifics on its purpose out loud while he was also writing down notes. At the end of 45 minute meeting, he left his notes, shook my hand and said he looked forward to seeing what I come up with.

I shit you not, this was the "notes" he left for me

[–] meyotch@slrpnk.net 2 points 11 hours ago

“You know, for kids!”

[–] ArtVandelay@lemmy.world 9 points 23 hours ago

Getting out of a meeting and realizing you have deliverables with no idea how fulfill them is the worst feeling

[–] 30p87@feddit.org 63 points 1 day ago (2 children)
  • Love CS
  • Major bank took me with the worst grades possible

Just have the right hobby lmao

[–] umbrella@lemmy.ml 3 points 19 hours ago* (last edited 17 hours ago)

-love cs

-company hires me in the name of a rich-sounding multinational

-turns out its just imperialism and im still making much less than $1000/mo, 6-day weeks.

to be honest its good for south america but still where the fuck is all that money.

[–] hydroptic@sopuli.xyz 27 points 1 day ago (4 children)

That's… reassuring.

This reminds me of that scene from Fight Club:

"Which bank do you work for?"

"A major one"

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[–] itsgroundhogdayagain@lemmy.ml 20 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I majored in History as it was my only interest at the time and I could graduate on time.

Never major in History.

Anthropology is another bad choice.

[–] SpaceNoodle@lemmy.world 28 points 1 day ago (10 children)

Joke's on you, I got a degree in computer engineering twenty years ago

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[–] ickplant@lemmy.world 16 points 1 day ago (2 children)

Double majored in business/accounting and psychology. Went into financial auditing (not my passion but paid well). Hated my life for 12 years. Decided to go for a graduate degree in social work. Am now a very happy psychotherapist even though I make less money.

Moral of the story? It’s never too late to switch if you end up hating your original choice.

[–] Tablaste@linux.community 2 points 8 hours ago* (last edited 8 hours ago)

I went back to school in my early 30s.

I have a coworker who went back in his 40s and is changing careers (from tech lead to management). And another who is nearing 50s who just wanted that piece of paper. (IT guy who wanted a fine arts degree)

[–] some_guy@lemmy.sdf.org 4 points 19 hours ago

I went from a prestigious role in tech to a much lower-rung one that isn't so demanding. I'd rather have a pleasant life than a large paycheck. Went from miserable to very happy.

[–] PP_BOY_@lemmy.world 34 points 1 day ago (1 children)

"Well what subject did you like best in school?" Is the worst way to choose a major and it's terrible that college recruiters use it to rope fresh-HS graduates into signing up.

For anyone considering college in the next few years, you should really consider college as a career prep rather than a place to simply learn more. Unless you've got the money and support network to just dilly dally for 4+ years, you should be going in knowing 100% what you want to be doing with your life and make sure that courses you're taking the the connections you make are getting you there.

[–] radiohead37@lemmynsfw.com 19 points 1 day ago (3 children)

Easier said than done. At that age, with no professional experience, it is really hard to know what you want to do for the rest of your life.

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[–] DistressedDad@lemmy.ca 27 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (10 children)

Serious - Don't follow your passion. I did. Went to school for something I was passionate about. Did well and graduated. I got a job in my field. But soon enough, my passion felt like work. My priorities shifted as I aged and I grew to hate what I studied and once fell passionate about.

Find a career path that makes you money. Once you have that money you can make time to dabble in your passion projects and hobbies. Just wanted to add a different perspective to the meme :)

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[–] ElectricAirship@lemmy.dbzer0.com 21 points 1 day ago (3 children)

So many awful takes on this topic in the comments lol. "Don't follow your passions" is just bs because they're really just saying "suffer through this major and you'll get to suffer through a career for the rest of your life."

The truth is that your major doesn't really matter. What hiring managers look for is mostly that you have a degree, and the major comes second.

I was told for YEARS that "humanities isn't worth it" and that computer science/engineering/STEM is the only thing worth it. But guess what? Massive layoffs due to AI is killing computer science and STEM grads. Businesses are putting postings out there but aren't currently hiring to maintain normalcy, etc.

For a bachelor's, just do what you want! Look at the financial aid for each school and go from there. A lot of people struggle and burn out studying something they hate and sometimes end up dropping out. It's better for everyone to educate yourself on something you're passionate about, then do a master's if you need a career change.

[–] exasperation@lemm.ee 1 points 7 hours ago

computer science/engineering/STEM is the only thing worth it.

It's mostly engineers who make money. The actual sciences are basically a low paying career for how much knowledge it requires, and pretty much require much more than a 4-year degree to climb that ladder, or they just go into the same category as everyone in the humanities and the arts: go get a job that requires a 4-year degree but doesn't care what your major was.

[–] xye@lemm.ee 5 points 20 hours ago

Pitting STEM vs the humanities is yet another (very successful) issue used to divide us from the real class problems we should tackle together instead. I agree with you.

[–] peoplebeproblems@midwest.social 12 points 1 day ago (1 children)

They are trying to kill CS with AI.

Software and Computer engineers are absolutely stupid expensive. And we're necessary, because so few people understand it, and even less want to put in the required work to do it.

Unfortunately for them, they don't understand it to the point where they inevitably push away the people they need to make use of AI tools, and cover the gaps that AI leaves.

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[–] Semi_Hemi_Demigod@lemmy.world 12 points 1 day ago

I chose a major I loved and that has good paying jobs but now I sort of hate it

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