10 Degrees That Keep You Poor Forever

[@ShaneHummus]

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[@ablestarofficial8117]

Recreation management

[@jeffsen114]

10. Restaurant Management 9. Photography 8. Biology 7. Communications 6. Psychology 5. Sociology/Anthropology 4. Art History 3. Liberal Arts/General Studies 2. Gender Studies 1. Pop Culture Studies You're Welcome...

[@dramir5953]

God bless you, thank you. Not watching 19 mins to get to the point

[@BarsusDraco]

The last four being legit degrees should be a great warning. These studies shouldnt be legal in the first place.

[@eugenelim11]

thank you. You saved me a lot of time from watching the video. I was just scrolling through the comments to find the summary

[@merlinious01]

​@@BarsusDraco Being illegal is a bit much dude. Making any research category illegal is a slippery slope. They just need to be understood to be purely academic fields that don't really have a financial incentive.

[@SlokYadav-b5s]

Thanks bro

[@paulbrungardt9823]

My undergraduate degree was in Psychology. Almost every classmate planned to get a PhD. In Psychology the university didn't educate on the reality of chasing a PHD in Psychology. I had minored in chemistry and was accepted to optometry school. When I graduated optometry school, I made a good living in 1981. At that time, there were 10 optometry schools in USA and there was a shortage of optometrists. Today, there are 23 optometry schools and there is beginning to be a surplus of optometrists. Whatever field a young person pursues, LEARN SPANISH. I learned Spanish as an adult, after university, and it opens doors in the world today. Do Well, Then, Do Good !

[@billyoung8118]

Any degree with the word "studies" in it should be an automatic warning sign.

[@DrunkenUFOPilot]

Aerospace Engineering = YES! Airplane and Rocket Studies = NO. Nuclear Theory = YES! Radioactive Things Studies = NO. Worthless Degreeology = YES! (if at PhD level) A mighty career that surpasses all others! Shane Hummus Studies = OMG NO NO NO NO good lord if you have any mercy NO WAY!!!!! Oh the anguish....

[@drextercharles2389]

@@DrunkenUFOPilot😂😂😂

[@philv2529]

Or critical or theory

[@angiepatterson6338]

@@philv2529Or “century”

[@henryrugeles6341]

Actually, I have 2 of those and make a very good living. And I got my master just for kicks.

[@LaRossaSelvaggia]

My son graduated from high school and 2 months later got 6-figure+ job designing drones. Drone racing has been a passion of his since he was 10, and it led him to work on design to make the drones lighter and faster. Oh, and the job pays his tuition as he pursues further education. Damn the degrees-learn marketable skills!

[@Justsayingthat]

How did they choose him for the role? What skill set did he have?

[@LaRossaSelvaggia]

@@Justsayingthathe went to a tech job fair looking for just a summer job before starting university in the fall. Was naturally drawn to a booth for a company that demonstrating drone technology and started talking to them, asking excited-teenager questions about aerodynamics, airframe stability, battery loads, and gyro stability for FPV. These were all things he had learned a lot about as a drone racer. I guess he impressed the guys at the booth with his excitement and knowledgeable questions, because the next day their engineering lead called him out of the blue to interview him, and within a week he had his offer letter. I think the keys were his genuine excitement and deep, nitty-gritty knowledge from both independent study and hands-on work.

[@Arian-sd9jh]

@@LaRossaSelvaggia That’s really awesome congratulations to him 🎉

[@JeredtheShy]

@@Arian-sd9jh It does help that drones are the future of warfare (they're heavily involved in the Ukraine conflict and look to be involved in all future conflicts) and so there's lots and lots of money pouring into their development now, which means plenty of money for salaries and snapping up every kid with appropriate interests. The son just so happened to be wildly enthusiastic about something associated with heavy defense funding, but that enthusiasm often translates to poverty in other fields, which is why this is such a problem for everyone else. This is a story about the kind of luck that's hard to articulate, the right person in the right place at the right time. You can't really do that on purpose.

[@Arian-sd9jh]

@@JeredtheShyI totally agree with you

[@Jormungrandrserpent]

As a 30 year old I wish that line about passion had been said to me when I was a teenager

[@dennisd9554]

I read an article a long time ago about a guy who back in HS wanted to be an actor. Many of his friends went into acting, but his uncle convinced him to become an Accountant. Fast-forward to him writing the article at 50. He's worked a long career, been paid well, owns a house, paying for the kids' college, and got into community theater doing it for free (plus landing lead roles). Meanwhile, his friends that studied acting in college are still basically waiting tables, struggling, still renting, and maybe have one or two commercials to their credit. The point was that just because you have a PASSION for something doesn't mean you need to make it your VOCATION.

[@Hehehehhehehehehehehehhe78]

With how the world is going, we'll all be waiting tables

[@jacobmcmanus1244]

I have my bachelors in Psychology and I approve this message.

[@priestychan1668]

Re: Following Passion I heard before someone who quitted work to become a struggling painter later got so stressed from struggling about life in that he’s seldom in the mood to even paint. People don’t acknowledge that almost all of them actually need a level of material and mental well being in order to stay passionate and positive about their dreams

[@_ryesen]

That entire intro... was a mood. I'm not exactly fond of accounting - but man is it stable...

[@kennynoel2863]

I think this should be a pre-requisite for College students to watch before they start college.

[@patriciayohn6136]

Probably even at the Middle School level!

[@pinktastic6159]

Didn't he say English was the most regretted degree? One close friend has a degree in that, and I wish I'd have majored in it or some kind of creative writing.

[@steveh5307]

There are high school counselors. There are career centers and advisors. There is the internet. All resources are there. People just slept thru classes or didn't care or too high to remember. Then they get out and say nonsense like "they didn't teach me this in high school". Yes, they did. You just didn't care because you hated school. Now that you're in the real world, you now see why but it's way late and you're trying to play massive catchup while adult life and responsibilities are going on too when you didn't have that distraction when you were in high school. They told you so back then.

[@mydadspulloutgametrash]

And why tf would colleges want that?

[@Strideo1]

​@@steveh5307There are high school councilors who just tell students to follow their interests and that they can be whatever they want to be (as long as it's part of a college degree track).

[@brat46]

When you talked about the degree in Communication. I was looking into legal proofreading, and there were a number of law offices that required a Bachelor's in Communication. I just wanted to throw this out there for those job seekers that have the degree already

[@Nikita-oi8cf]

As well as in tech. Technical writer, UX writer, e-learning guides, copywriter etc

[@Gespense]

Yes because the lawyers know the hot sorority girls chose communication 🙄

[@garymcfarlan4840]

These types of places require a bachelor degree just to work as a receptionist and still pay nothing.

[@garymcfarlan4840]

@@Nikita-oi8cf Then why don't they offer more specific degrees, Tech, writer, learning guides and so on?

[@steveh5307]

Making what. $60k? Your student loans is gonna be at least that. You'll be paying on it for years. Don't let your hobbies be your major.

[@adinaderoy-stouffer5724]

I think we need to address the reality that many of these degrees were originally for people who were never actually going into the work force in the particular degree. In the past, you could become a bank manager or other higher level office job with a degree in literature or art history. Many profitable jobs were open to you. The simple fact that you completed any degree made you more valuable as an employee. Now you need a finance degree or something similar in every specific field. The fact that you were educated, intelligent and able to communicate about complex subjects was what was valuable. I think what has happened to higher education is a real shame. All knowledge has value, not just the knowledge that our current culture will pay well for.

[@patarciepaul]

Do you know that all you need to make a delicious soup is to boil stone in water......

[@steveh5307]

This is exactly why old people shouldn't give younger people advice about college. It's completely different. The days of "just get a degree" is long gone. You MUST get a degree that pertains to the field you're going into. There always are rare exceptions but in almost all cases, you have to have a degree in what you're going into. But college graduates being "educated, intelligent and able to communicate about complex subjects" is not true for disturbingly large portion of the graduates. The caliber of people who go to college has declined drastically. Anybody who is willing to take out a loan can go to college now. It used to be the truly intelligent and exceptional people went to college. Don't tell me you never ran into at least a handful of people in every class that you wonder how they even allowed them to be there. College has become a business with paying customers instead of a place where exceptional people become even more exceptional.

[@stischer47]

@@steveh5307 Luckily, back in the 1960s my parents (who never went to college) told me that they would pay for my college ONLY if I could show them a job that required the degree. That guided me through all my post-secondary education - "Can I get a job with this degree?"

[@langhamp8912]

I used to do surveys of college alumni, to ascertain what their post-graduate career looked like. Art degree holders were always at the top in household income, and this reflects an article published by the Atlantic Group some years ago; artists marry their wealthy groupies and this holds true regardless of gender. I don't think that's true today; the value of a degree has been devalued even as it has become ever more expensive to get. I feel there might even be some circular economics whereby the wealthy invest in student loans even as they require degrees for even entry level jobs. In other words, educational expenses are some sort of toll tax that flows back to the wealthy for the privilege of participating in the workforce. Back in the 50's to 70's, most college education was paid for by the government; consistent cuts since then has seen most college being paid for by the student (I think it's upwards of 80%, from less than 20% during the GI Bill era).

[@amelliamendel2227]

I met exactly 3 people who went to university because they wanted to learn and not just to 'get a good job' the truth is if that's all you want from your education just don't bother to get a degree.

[@DarrylCobb]

Photography hit the nail on the head. I say this AS a photographer. No one day in a formal classroom and I've had people studying for their masters in photography wanting to shadow my shoots. For any art, get a working pro as a mentor. Go to school for something that will allow you to afford to do your art.

[@JadedWarlock]

I was today years old when I learned about the pop culture studies degree. And I'm an unemployed computer science grad doing a webdev boot camp on udemy.

[@raybod1775]

It was normal when I was young for students to work while going to college and work full time in summers. Rarely did students have much debt after undergraduate degree.

[@fireincarnation2348]

This says a lot about how more expensive it is to go to college now.

[@BunkMasterFlex77]

A degree in left-handed puppetry is worth every penny.

[@kingjohnny9548]

It’s easily the most valuable degree

[@dixcico5052]

Damn, I majored in Right handed puppetry...

[@DWmaniac4n6]

​​@@dixcico5052 Too bad mate, DEI favours left handed over right 10 to 1. Lol

[@jonahk6281]

My mom got a degree in anthropology for wanting to help other people and preserve their rights. She then went back to get a degree in art when she found out that a masters in anthropology wasn’t what she expected. Doing art has been one of her dreams and she found that art school helped her with her skills and being more creative. She is now the owner of a successful small business for making, painting, and selling pottery. She does not think that her degree in anthropology was useless because she got to travel across the world and meet life long friends and made great memories. My point here is that even though the raw numbers might be bad on paper for these degrees, you can still have a good life and not be “poor forever”. Use your knowledge to your advantage and make opportunities happen for you. I love my mom and I admire her for her financial success.

[@DagnirRen]

Definitely not a waste if you’re wealthy and can afford that lifestyle. For most working class people, spending time on fun isn’t an option sadly😢

[@brainnmaa]

@@DagnirRenfun is subjective, I mean working my way to become an attorney is fun because I get to work for financial freedom and help people in need for free

[@abigailpena5950]

​@@DagnirRen Yeah, I'm poor because of being disabled and not able to work a full time job or do full time school, so I kinda have no choice, but to go for a high paying degree even if it's not necessarily my first choice. Luckily I'm obsessed with STEM and am already working on my associates in electronics engineering technology. I'm also teaching myself on how to repair phones and laptops at home, so maybe I can find a job where I can sit and work instead of standing for 10hrs or longer.

[@LauraRonica]

You can make a business out of any degree. So that's awesome that your mom was able to make a business out of it. That puts your mom to completely different category as a business owner than what this video is meant for

[@avegaiii]

@@DagnirRenexactly Get a degree or a skill that pays the bills, then once you’re established and not struggling financially you can go back for those BS degrees that are done just for fun.

[@jolenetwomey8280]

Hi. My degree was in Communications/Cinema-photography. I graduated by writing a screenplay. Thankfully, my degree came during the Carter administration, so I paid off the one student loan I had ($1,000.00) in about three years. My only job related to the movies was as an atmosphere player in a movie, which I did twice (Wild Hogs and The Comebacks) and I have written five books which so far haven't gone anywhere. But my favorite "job" of all is Social Security and pension recipient because it enables me the time to do all the things I always wanted to do anyway.

[@VerySimplyAxolotl]

Couldn’t agree more with this video. Got my undergraduate degree in Anth because I was fully banking on gradschool for Psych. Well after being rejected from the program I’m having to pivot careers and get a plan in order as my bachelor’s will get me nothing. I have a family and making $10 an hour at a museum is not going to cut it.

[@billnotice9957]

You are courageous for sharing. I salute you.

[@stischer47]

Before I even started college, my parents asked me what job I was going to get once I graduated. I had to come up with real jobs by coming up with job ads (pre-internet). It kept me focused. Once I had a good job, then I went back and took "fun" courses.

[@TheToxicP]

4 individuals / entities you should largely ignore when they're giving you their advice about how great College (any degree) is. #1 The Government. #2 The Education Industry #3 People from upper middle class or higher who've sponged off their parents or had to use their parents social connections to get them a job (because their degree was worthless) #4 Anyone who wants to tell you how great just having a degree is & how wonderful it was to pursue their passion when they had to rely on marrying upwards to have a decent life (or took half of that persons money in divorce).

[@Marksonis]

I stumbled across Nixorus a while back, and the books I’ve found there are on another level. It’s like discovering a whole new way of thinking that most people miss.

[@GregPrice-ep2dk]

The real problem is that many of these jobs are undervalued, and thus underPAID. But society needs them to function properly.

[@stischer47]

Yep, I don't know how world could function without gender or pop culture studies degrees.

[@username7763]

For the ones that are needed, you need an advanced degree to do the work. So don't go into it unless you are going to get a doctorate. The rest aren't valued for a reason.

[@lexinestewart]

IT IS SUCH A PAIN trying to find a good degree. I AM SO GLAD I came across your content, because I WAS REALLY CONSIDERING ON GETTING A BIOLOGY DEGREE (associates) , until I did research on indeed, zip recruiter, reddit, the salary is extremely low. I decided to get a cybersecurity degree, which was my FIRST option anyway!!!!! I will NOT allow myself to be scammed by the system!!!

[@inspire1625]

It shouldn’t be about what degree you want it should be what job you want and what that job requires…

[@badawesome]

You are qualified to go to Medical School with a Biology degree or you can work for the National Park Service.

[@jokulhaupsed]

For the love of god don't do it

[@stischer47]

@@badawesome If you pass the MCAT.

[@eleonorebonnie3476]

My biggest mistake was studying music performance. It’s good if you are going to be a school teacher or a vocal/instrument coach. You don’t need a degree to work in the music industry. The arts should be avoided like the plague! 😞

[@sweetlittleemogirl44]

yes, and they do not teach you the kind of music that you can make money at. You learn that on the fly and you either have it or you don't.

[@sethbaldwin131]

The king is back!!! I missed Shane's college videos 🎉

[@camgere]

My sister has a PhD in anthropology. She worked at several brand name tech firms before becoming a professor of Anthropology. Nowadays this would be called User Interface/User Experience (UI/UX). Understanding people is helpful. Making products that satisfy customers is what every business does. Don't take that barista job just yet.

[@ernestalba]

I have a PhD in anthropology as well. And a bachelor of science degree in women’s and gender studies. And I am a self-made millionaire who started his own college admissions and undergraduate tutoring consulting firm. Having a women’s studies degree is absolutely useful when you are providing services to the families who are now sending their young women off to college in record-setting numbers. And anthropology similarly helps you keep up with the diverse cultural landscape. Because of anthropology, I am able to connect more easily with and attract clientele from South Asia, East Asia, Europe, Latin America and Africa.

[@stischer47]

@@ernestalba Oh wow, the exception that proves Shane wrong.

[@mydadspulloutgametrash]

Wait. UI/UX student here. The hell does this have to do with anthropology? *googles anthropology* oh

[@coasterjaz89]

Hi Shane!! Pharmacist here too. 😂😅 I feel the debt burden daily!

[@WizardReel]

I got a degree in Video Game design. The jobs pay good, but it's super competitive, and really hard to break into the industry. I've talked to 3 different game recruiters and they care only about the skills you have to offer, and not the degree. There's now a lot of game veterans that offer to teach you to learn skills for a fraction of the cost of a university (they did not have this while I was in college). Now I pay a mentor to help teach me the core skills I need to get my foot in the door. I'm glad Shane made this video. It's better to learn from other's mistakes, instead of finding out the mistake for yourself. ***Additional NOTE: I do want to add that my focus is on 3D modeling, so I'd have to stick with that specific avenue. Also Learning my a 3D mentor is great way to learn and save a lot of money (versus college degree in Game Design).

[@muhiramadhan591]

Working as game designer is good but don't limit yourself on game. Expand your skill to software design in general, that will open a lot of opportunity for you especially during the time when many game studio closing or lay off people here and there.

[@WizardReel]

@@muhiramadhan591 I like that you are thinking outside the box. Game Design covers a broad area. However my part of a game project was 3D modeling. So in my case I would not be able to do software design. If I did programming, that would be another story though.

[@jokulhaupsed]

My friend is now an exec at netflix for game design. He earns like 300k a year. Didn't have any sort of programing, gaming, or designing degree. It's all about your portfolio.

[@WizardReel]

@@jokulhaupsed There are some positions that are non-art related in Games. Such as Media manager. You could also start off as QA tester. That's a good entry level job.

[@WizardReel]

@@jokulhaupsed If you don't mind me asking, what kind of background/work history did you friend have before he was an Exec?

[@xlerb2286]

My comp sci degree I got from a state university sure was a money maker for me. Almost no student loan debt, decades of that being a hot job market. I don't know if that degree is such a money maker today though but others are. I agree to look at the careers that a degree will enable. I'd also look at the trades. They've been ignored for way too long and are a lot harder to offshore.

[@SathyaswamyS]

Here is some realistic career advice: Never opt for arts stream or go for any arts related courses. You will regret it for the rest of your life. Careers in Arts/humanities are not that plentiful or lucrative. This is the situation even in developed countries. Majority of the regretted degrees around the world are in the arts/humanities stream. Talking about preparing for govt jobs, you can get a government job even if you have a degree in STEM or business and the variety of jobs available will be a lot more. The chances of going abroad will also be limited if you take arts courses. So guys, avoid arts at all costs. Get realistic guidance and select a better career.

[@avestuart]

I have a degree in communication, after working in radio for a while I ended-up applying for and selected for flight training in the US Army as an officer. I had medical issues once I arrived there and didn't graduate flight school, so now i'm a programmer. Broadcasting paid really low and starting a flying career as a civilian is massively expensive. When I switched to programming, I did a combination of self-learning and community college which I paid for out of pocket as I went. I ended-up in a contract role at Microsoft and they let me clutz around with light coding as a Systems Analyst and everything just took-off from there. Never know where life will take you.

[@wedoalittletrolling-im4ti]

I got a broadcast audio degree. From my experience I feel it also needs to go on a list like this

[@patriciayohn6136]

Here’s one degree you didn’t mention, my Husband’s degree was Music Performance from Towson State at that time, he did Graduate Magna Cum Laude and was in the Musicians Union in Baltimore and was a first call musician until he married his first Wife, who didn’t think that she needed to work. Fortunately he did take a year or two after High School working as a machinist for a major large equipment manufacturer before he started college and worked part time as much as possible will in college and thus really didn’t have much student debt at all. He did attend college fifty years ago which was much different expense wise then. Mike Rowe also graduated from Towson and he is correct about encouraging students to learn a trade, better choice these days if you want to make money. My Husband did take computer courses after college and became a Systems Analyst and made a lot more money doing that. Great content in your video and humorous as well.

[@timothyrday1390]

Young college students shouldn't be discouraged, just be aware that some degrees take longer to build successful careers, so don't go deeply into debt unless you have a plan to support yourself or to be supported in the mid to long-term. Also, consider getting your BA (from a reputable brick-and-mortar institution) online.

[@sweetlittleemogirl44]

You are totally right about psychology. I speak as a master's level therapist. You have to be really money smart and work life balance smart and LOVE what you do to make it in this profession.

[@susanoakeshauf]

Pop culture studies?! That's an actual major? Wow.

[@DrunkenUFOPilot]

I would never have guessed! Right before Shane announced #1, I tried to guess... but he already described Art History and General Studies, and other degrees I might have guessed. Pop Culture Studies... yep big demand for that among the huge movers and shakers in international business and industry!

[@karltitz1725]

At 35yo after working up the corporate ladder from dishwasher to hotel executive chef I quit and went back to school. BS, MS, PHD tenured Associate professor and faculty leader. I watched bureaucratic bloat overcome the institutions as students paid the price. My associates degree from CITY COLLEGE San Francisco was paid out of my wage as an apprentice cook in a union restaurant in the 1970s. As a leader in Hotel Restaurant Hospitality Education I’ve seen the corporate degradation of employee work experience at all levels of the organization in favor of MBA misplaced values.

[@curtshelp6170]

I've become happier over the years that I was a poor student and I gravitated towards becoming a plumber as I was able to retire at 55 having never acquired education debt.

[@kieunganguyen693]

I have a few friends who have a Family Counseling Degree without landing a job in their profession! It’s a competitive field!

[@DrunkenUFOPilot]

Ugh, I cannot imagine anyone going into a field in which they might end up having to deal with a real-life version of The Simpsons!

[@samuelfey4924]

Imagine investing those 100k+ degrees into building businesses,imagine how much the economy would grow and most importantly how much it would improve the lives of those students

[@shellnet411]

For sociology and anthropology most of the jobs aren’t in the US you’re usually going to travel with that one and you will make money anthropologist generally aren’t that prevalent in the United States but you can get a job where you travel the world and can get more money, especially if you find something also research firmsfor medicine if you have a medical degree with it with a minor in sociology and anthropology, which is common these aren’t things you’re thinking through. Obviously it would be a good degree for someone going into archaeology. You could use a degree that uses more of your brain than just your fear.

[@jlrva3864]

Back in the 1970's at my university orientation before starting Freshman year, we were told, "If you want to join the ranks of the unemployed, then major in Psychology". Apparently that's still true today.

[@Coe_PhD]

as someone with a ph.d in psychology, I agree, full stop. I now work as a program analyst and make as much as I ever did with my ph.d. and that includes being a college professor.

[@Novo8000]

Great list, but a couple of points I want to make about Biology. Many of science jobs don't pay very much but there are many other jobs that aren't necessary science-based but still require scientific expertise. A few examples include patent law, scientific sales, regulatory affairs and R&D tax consultation, all of which pay very well and all of which you can get doing Biology (although all are very competitive still). Also clinical laboratory scientists are very much needed still.

[@AccidentalTouristx]

I earned my BA in economics, and minor and political science from a prominent liberal art university. And before people jump to say liberal in terms of politics, now it means liberal in terms of a very broad education. A part of my economics degree was still learning about Chemistry, French, Kant, etc. I think universities need to do a better job mentoring graduates in whatever degree and networking, especially with alumni, and marketing themselves. Broadly people need to know how to think and write and solve and strategize. Network and implement, all that good stuff. And that can be done with any degree. I’ve read books of people who started out majoring in one thing and built lucrative careers in an entirely different area. One book immediately comes to mind, liar’s poker. The young man was an art history major who went to work for Solomon Bros. - all about how all those MBA’s didn’t mean a darn thing. How the young men with no formal education, who were hungry as junkyard dogs sold before mountains of cocaine and made a ton of money.

[@atc404770]

I haven’t listened to the list yet, but I’ll throw in my $0.02- MBA from top 10 university. Not worth the $200k in student loans. 13 years later I will be making my last payment this week. Won’t be poor forever but it’s been tight for a long time.

[@leub4829]

I’m a P4 in pharmacy school, and it’s such a great career choice if you’re interested in a degree with many wildly different and highly-paid career paths. You could go the retail route (which nobody wants to do tbh), pursue a hospital job or a residency to become a clinical pharmacist, or go a totally nontraditional route and join the pharmaceutical industry. Within the pharmaceutical industry you can do regulatory, commercial, R&D, medical affairs, and so much more. For example, I have a fellowship in marketing set up after graduation. Nuclear pharmacy is also an amazingly cool route that is totally different from the rest, and it is growing very quickly. For a degree that only takes 6 years (2 years undergrad most places), the opportunities are varied and immensely rewarding. Having the golden parachute of your pharmacist license allows you to take risks to do what you want. You can always fall back on making 140k at a CVS if you fail

[@leub4829]

There are many crappy pharmacy schools out there though. Don’t pay insane amounts of money for a school with a bad reputation and alumni pool.

[@gsogymrat]

I'm 59 years old, have a master's in psychology, and have worked over 30 years as a licensed mental health counselor in crisis counseling and community mental health. I make about 80K a year working 36 hours a week and live in Greensboro, NC, which is relatively affordable. I would not encourage anyone to go into this field. While helping people has its rewards, the job is high stress and low pay.

[@siobahnhurley85]

I would argue no degree is worthless. It depends on how you use it. The biggest issue is some job fields are flooded. Too many people applying, not enough jobs for the demand. I’m surprised English major didn’t get on here. Technically I fall into the Liberal Arts category, but I studied a foreign language thats in high demand. 😁

[@beanz8508]

So gender studies is a pretty good degree right?

[@joeyGalileoHotto]

Exactly; This is what people don't want to hear but is true, because people are too afraid of the risk of starting a business or side-hustle and would rather want to assume that they can just go to class and get rich.

[@funes4355]

@@joeyGalileoHottoah yes the typical "start a business" statement, probably holds the same value as follow your passions

[@chezshirecat1872]

I work in a lab. Having a general biology will not get you a job working at least clinical lab. There are skills you need before working in a lab that you can get at a community college level. Once you’re in the lab then a biology degree can help move you forward with management and higher pay.

[@SanzL1]

Your video was hilarious!! 😂😂😂. I’m getting ready to retire. Getting a bachelors degree was a bit different back in the day, when fewer people had them and college didn’t send you to the poor house. If I was going today, I’d definitely follow your advice.

[@briangulley6027]

Join the military or go to trade school. I joined the Air Force at 18 in 1977 and retired in 99, I then signed on with the AZ Dept of Corrections and retired in 2020, with my combined retirements and SS I clear 90K a year. I never set foot in a classroom I after HS and I never lived paycheck to paycheck. College, if you choose to go, is free in the military, and all but free when you separate.

[@kishernmanickam991]

Shane is absolutely right, I can tell from experience, lucky I’m young enough to make a career change into technology. Because I chose the wrong degree, I’ve suffered from being rejected from job applications, even though I have a year on work internship included in my degree. I would advice anyone who chose a non-competitive degree is to work on the side on how to make income, you will have to do it anyway , but it will be much harder once you graduate, you will be expected to leave the house early, people are cruel to not care about your circumstances even though you’re working to find a job that can help you survive and pay rent, companies don’t care about your progression, they’ll drive you to burnout just to make a profit or clear their workload, I’ve worked along with people who’ve sealed they’re fate and destiny to work in a job they hate, slowly losing their humanity and degrade into toxic workers. Study about finance, money and be practical about your degree and skills.

[@frankt1720]

Shane, there are opportunities for tuition assistance in the military. There are also opportunities for training in areas like Radiologic Technology, Nuclear Medicine Technology, IT, Nuclear Engineering Technology and many more.

[@Chris_at_Home]

I got an electronics education doing a four year enlistment in the military in the early 70s. Six years after I got out I was making close to $70k in 1981. It only went up from there.

[@khayon4364]

Psych Bachelors, 90k a year, pension, great benefits - my experience with Psychology has been far different than most. Minimal debt due to great deals of grant funding - I know I am not the average, but I had a plan and it worked.

[@greenturt]

Most of my friends went to college or university. One got a degree in computer programing in 1988. He went to silicon Valley California and retired at 50 with 12 million and a home in Arazona. However; most of my friends didn't do well with their degrees. They thought i was crazy getting a welding ticket, then electrical degree and finally millwright degree. I never had trouble getting a job with descent pay. I am 61 and still work. I am so in demand that I have to turn away work. I am self employed. Pay $65 - $85 per hr. I'm not rich like my friend but am proud to have made 1/3 of what he made.

[@JM-bb8xi]

They only keep you poor if stay committed to it after it doesn't pan out. I have two useless degrees, and BA (Anthropology) and an MS. They were still enough to get a job in an unrelated field. I still had the core skills of reading, interpreting, and generating data for reports. After a short stint in auto sales for a couple years, which made decent money, but definitely not anything I wanted to do long term, I was able to combine that sales experience with my education to get the job I have now. You gotta be flexible and adaptive. It only keeps you poor if you let it, as bad as it sounds, giving up on the "Dream" was the best decision I ever made, and I now have more time, money, and the stability to pursue my hobbies way more than if I stayed in my chosen field.

[@cosycoffeee]

I’m getting my bachelors in History and Political Science. I think humanity degrees are great and needed, but they’re best for specific people and certain situations. 1.) if you simply just need a bachelors degree in literally anything to advance your current job/career (which does happen) or 2.) you’re aware that you’re more than likely going to need a masters and/or 3.) you can get the degree without spending a lot. I’ve been transferring in ACE credits and schools like WGU and UMPI are great for making school way more affordable.

[@versaii5519]

It’s hard not to be upset at this list having a liberal studies degree myself, but not for the reasons that it genuinely was what I was pursuing just on a technicality basis. Regardless, I feel like students like myself who pivot majors in the middle of college because they can’t figure out what they wanna do have to have some hope that they can take parts of what they learned from their degrees and still apply to something different and more focus on what they want to do post grad. What I mean by that is certain classes from my liberal studies degree help me understand that communication was one of my major skills and regardless outside of my degree I’d always been heavily involved with the business school and took two marketing certificates. Now I’m trying to be a project/product manager by obtaining certain certifications and working as a project coordinator.. which isn’t a horrible starting salary… Gotta give people some hope, man

[@1Skeptik1]

Education? Thirty years ago I told a friend's daughter that she did not need a degree to be successful, but you will have to compete with the kids who have one and also compete with old dogs like me in the Corporate world and get what is left. The more you know the luckier you get. If your goal is to be successful start a business and learn from your mistakes. I am a "retired" millionaire, my daughter (48) is a multi-millionaire and my eldest granddaughter (33) recently joined the club and is on course to retire at age 40. We are well-educated high school dropouts and successful business owners. Several years ago my brother-in-law (who taught psychology) asked why I quit High School. I replied it was a waste of my time and theirs. Half of my time spent in a classroom was useless including "advanced" courses. Most Americans read at a 6th. grade level and struggle with 4th-grade arithmetic. Conclusion: Our public school system is a dismal failure, 40% of new High School graduates can't pass a GED.

[@MsAnneThrope]

Mostly agree 100% with this. However, you can get a medial laboratory technician (MLT) from a community college very inexpensively. It’s an AAS. You’ll start around $45-50K and there are NO job shortages. Quite the opposite actually. You can work in hospitals, doctors offices, reference labs (LabCorp, Quest), health departments, etc. If you get the BS and become a medical laboratory scientist (MLS) the pay and opportunities go up a little bit. With certification and experience you’ll make $60K+. Not rich by any means, but decent considering the education.

[@angiepatterson6338]

I have a BS in biology, and it led to led to Medical School. That pays pretty well.

[@bloodshed102]

I can definitely agree with psychology because my wife has a bachelors degree in it. When she graduated most people wanted her to do an internship and most of them wanted to pay her close to minimum wage. A good job in her field was around 20 ish dollars an hour with way too much stress. A masters is required to make ok money which they are told while in college. You can technically make really good money by it requires a masters or doctorate and you get lucky as a therapist or a psychologist. She left the field due to the low pay and decided it wasn’t worth it.

[@Fractalesque]

Here's what I've learned. If you are going to pursue any of these listed degrees, please have a clear, condensed and solid plan how you're going to apply that degree after you've graduated. While you're studying, explore and decide on a career path or paths towards a definite career type. If you don't know what you want to do, exposure and exploration is your best friend. Failure to do this preparation believing that the supposed prestige of your degree will easily land you a job, will guarantee you frustration, taking jobs that don't require the degree or worse, unemployment. Reach out and start talking to people in your industry of interest and network like crazy to put you on the career map with the job gate keepers. Your degree isn't enough. Basically, if you fail to prepare, prepare to fail.

[@pinktastic6159]

My best friend has an undergraduate and masters in psychology. While she is recognized in one part of the country as an expert on Autism, mental illness, and ADHD from what she and her husband went through with her child, she's not a therapist. Why? Because she didn't do any of the required clinical hours and take the licensing exam. She just picked the major she liked. Then she worked for a large company for 30 years and was a higher income earner. Her degree never mattered. What matters things like being a CPA, nurse, doctor, and clearly, pharmacist. All people care about now is if you have the degree. Go to community College, live at home and work. Join the military. Unless you get a full ride academic scholarship, community College, live with mom and dad, work the whole time, because community college is so easy it's ridiculous.

[@jacobthompson6265]

I’m going to law school in the fall and I am terrified of the debt. I went to USC for undergraduate

[@tiffanyjames3862]

IMO, I don't think Biology is too poor of a choice. That's what my Grandpa studied before he became a College Professor for 40+ years. I had several friends who also majored in Biology. One went on to get her Master's and now works as a Physician's Assitant. Another became a Toxicologist with the County Coroner's Office. One of my cousin's majored in it, and now does Pharmaceutical Sales. It seems to be pretty flexible, much like Business.

[@xdega]

Comm major here. Graduated in 2016, and live very comfortably in Los Angeles as a Software Engineer. Most of my cohort are in quite prestigious roles (lawyers, municipal administrators, etc) easily 6 figure+ I have been pretty successful in my career, and I would argue that a lot of that is down to my ability to speak in front of others, communicate ideas effectively (lacking but very important in the SWE field). Communication gives you a good foundation that will support another profession and enable you to succeed. No degree will really prepare you for a particular job (including Computer Science), so a degree is more useful to support soft skills and exploration. I would never recommend going into $100k or more of debt, though. For anything.

[@andrewtee]

LC Sign studied Business Communication in English, and now he is one of the key contributor to lift the whole company from rut.

[@garyodle5663]

Psychology degree. I made my living from a five week course that earned me my FAA Airline Flight Dispatcher license.

[@michaeldundrea1473]

Psych can be very lucrative but you can’t stop at a bachelors, you must get a masters or PhD. Private practice therapists can make $100-$200 an hour.

[@stischer47]

I believe that's what he said.

[@Tdesparza]

Lab tech jobs DO NOT require a masters (same with QC analyst). I am a lab technologist, I took a 15 month BS program that cost 22k and got a good job right after graduating. I made roughly 100K in my second year (I work nights and a decent amount of overtime so it was probably closer to 80k if you take out those factors). The job is somewhat dull but there are opportunities for advancement into different specialties and different fields, in my case I am working my way into high complexity oncology testing with the aim of eventually moving to the industry side of things. There is a shortage nationwide for technologist, though there are region specific areas where the labor market is not great, but overall there is lots of openings. Overall the field has a lot of bang for your buck, but you have to take the schooling and subsequent testing for your license seriously. Again, NO MASTERS required for this; some programs might want an Bachelors or Associates but many do not. IDK where you are getting the masters thing.

[@josephguerassio6680]

I have another contender, anthropology. Good luck finding a job with that degree.

[@ChicaG-vg7pj]

I wonder about your comment on lab technician. Back in the day, a lab technician was an assistant that was trained on the job for less technical tasks. A laboratory technologist was someone who went to school, wrote national exams in as many as 5 disciplines, and could function correctly in laboratory settings. I've been retired for 20 yrs, and I know things have changed a lot since last century. I'm wondering if you meant laboratory technologist as opposed to laboratory technician. Back in the day, technicians wouldn't be directly involved in testing patient samples, but more in prep work which can often be quite easily checked with basic quality control procedures.

[@ismt9390]

With these prices, I'm very surprised that more Americans aren't studying abroad. Like in Europe for example. It doesn't have to be the most famous university as long as the courses are good and your diploma is recognized internationally.

[@Maudren4CMBB]

My degree in Chemistry definitely opened up more doors than my classmates that went into Biology. I was able to get a good $32 dollars an hour job as a QC Tech at a chemical plant due to my experience in the lab and my knowledge base. Given that most Biologists, and Chemists, don't think about going into the trades, industrial sector, or other blue collar avenues of employment they really limit themselves. Combined with the fact that I learned more in 1 year at the job than I did at college and that helps to make me even more employable later on down the road and improve my leverage when it comes to negotiations. I wa fortunate to find a good paying job that I actually enjoy doing and gave me a practical knowledge base that helps me finding a good job.

[@ProbusP]

It looks like the real problem is funding a college education. When I went to college in the late 1970's I was able to pay for my tuition and books with my GI bill and working part time. Today that is impossible.

[@Sicundercover]

I have a anthropology degree that I got in 2004 and it's only good for talking about stuff at parties. I've spent the last 21 years designing security technologies making way more money than the majority of anthropologists.

[@SimicChameleon]

This is so true and reality of the degree toos. Biology is worthless stem degree due to being broad and very competitive in med school. I know my friends got a phd and got work in academia. Other former biology graduates switch to computer science or engineering to make up of bad choice.

[@angiepatterson6338]

It’s how I got into Medical school all the same.

[@lelocle4262]

List starts at 3:25.

[@kingjohnny9548]

Thx

[@elaironen8592]

Communication is pretty great if you go to a target school because Marketing and management firms will hire comm majors over business or Econ majors all day and we make more money than them at entry level positions. Most comm majors then (2-3 years after graduation) either get an MBA or Law degree. Comm degrees really teach you how to study and retain a lot of information so it produces people who are very good candidates for those type MS degrees later down the road.

[@stischer47]

Once again, get an advanced degree. I believe he was talking about Bachelor's.

[@username7763]

When I was in engineering school they made us take some general studies as well as business classes. The business classes were by far the easiest. There were some that I got to the end of the class and wasn't sure if we actually learned anything. I'm sure I have an engineering bias, but business as a degree is strange. Which business? Can a business major run a law firm? An accounting firm? How about a software firm? Probably not well. Businesses do things, you have to understand the things that you do. There are places for people with specialized business knowledge (e.g. accounting, AP) but not nearly as many as there are people going into that field.

[@hythunza1811]

I realized towards the end of my Creative Writing major that I ended up choosing a Communications Degree. I now am trying to learn coding since it is not what I thought it was.

[@bkelsey6692]

I think that all depends on what you do with it. Say for example, I want to be a history teacher, and I’m not opposed to being paid a maximum of 85k with a retirement and benefits. Plus, I can take that job anywhere. Also, this is a second career. My first one also pays well, and I can do that job anywhere as well. My degree is HCOM with a concentration in historical studies, and it will open doors to law school or grad school to be a professor or lawyer in the future. Both paid reasonably well. All in all, it really depends on when and where you are in life, the connections you have, and how determined you really are. Im 32 and do NOT live in my moms basement

[@toomanybears_]

The only ones pushing these degrees are "advisors" employed by the departments selling these degrees.

[@anthonys5568]

My niece has a Master's in Biology and now a restaurant manager....

[@RussellSproutz1]

I have a Bachelor's in Biology and I agree

[@Ixodes492]

Ok…only one major issue. I think biology should be viewed as your gateway degree to a masters or doctoral level career. Yes…u can get a bachelor degree level STEM job without a degree but u hit the ceiling almost instantly. U cannot compete for grants, research, etc without advanced degrees. Is getting into medical school without a STEM or related bachelor’s degree possible? Sure…so is winning the lottery. So STEM degrees should be stepping stones for further education….you are right that stand alone STEM bachelor level degrees rapidly hit a dead end. (Tech degrees are many times the exception).

[@seanyhide8155]

What my daughter was in High School she was interested in studying for a degree in Political Science. When she googled it the results included it on a list of the 'Degrees with the worst return on investment'. So she googled 'Degrees with the best return on investment'. Two years after graduation she is now a Petroleum Engineer making more than I do. No masters required, no PhD required. Unless you have a lucrative trust fund you must consider the financial return you can expect from spending tens of thousands of dollars and four years of your adult life attaining a degree. Anybody who tells you otherwise will not be around with an open wallet when it comes time for you to pay for your own children to go to college.

[@robertm1122]

I went to FSU football camp and tried to cover a Florida State starting wide receiver, that’s when I realized football was not in my future. And I was in top 1% speed wise. But as a recruiter who has worked at big firms, I have learned about a bunch of random cool opportunities, so reply with what type of work you like and I will try to give you ideas.

[@FranciscoOrtiz-q3b]

cybersecurity

[@MSTP03]

Not wrong about requiring additional advanced degree with biology. Can be lucrative though. Bio BS+ Biotech MS = $75k-$130k. Biotech/Pharma is a pretty competitive industry though

[@tiw2572]

Degrees can be what you make of it. My wife a rarity in many ways, got a criminal justice degree, went to work for an insurance company in underwriting with only a college degree required. After a few short years and good successes she moved to pharma sales and then specialty pharma sales. Many years later she consistently makes over 300K. Her current profession has nothing to do with her general degree, but she has made a great success using that degree as a springboard. So even with a low demand degree there are always more opportunities for a a college grad than a non college grad. That being said, it makes no sense to go into heavy debt for a general degree. Engineering, computer science, AI, and others yes. Teaching, art, english, etc are you kidding me.

[@BruceRichwineJr]

Wow, some of these degrees salary ranges are equivalent to a lot of university cleaning/ janitor’s salaries. Didn’t know it was this bad.

[@rabbit859]

I graduated with a sociology major back in 2009. Funfact, literally every job you would go for, they prefer psychology.

[@tomsgamer985]

Any degree can be great if you have a good plan (realistic and clear). Also keep in mind that vocational programs are excellent and can be both interesting and well-paying.

[@amelliamendel2227]

I hate how everything is broken down to what you can get it of it. These are the people who in every relationship it's about 'what they get out if it' I couldn't live like that. I met exactly 3 people who went to university because they wanted to learn and not just to 'get a good job' the truth is if that's all you want from your education just don't bother to get a degree.

[@AlecMuller]

Have federal student loan agencies survey all graduates 12 months after graduation. If their employment-within-major rate drops below a threshold (say, 50%), cut off federal loans for that particular degree at that particular school. Schools know which degrees are useless, and they've been failing their students for decades because *students* pay the cost, not schools.