Is a College Degree Still Worth Pursuing? As a Soon to Be Graduate, I am Questioning It

[Dsg11694]

I am an Undergraduate Senior at a University studying Psychology. Yes, I guess I’m what you’d call an individual engaging in a “useless” major. Hear me out. I initially majored in IT, a STEM related field and was miserable. I completed a majority of my coursework successfully until I became a Junior. This is when the upper level classes began and things took a turn for the worst.

I’ve always wanted to study Psychology in attempt to figure myself out and understand certain behaviors of others. I had what was an unpaid Psychology related internship at a developmental achievement center and it has recently turned into a permanent position.

Sadly, it is not the highest paying gig and still remains part-time until I get more training and obtain the degree this Fall. I must say, I don’t think the pay will be that high with the degree and extensive training.

It is simply a stepping stone and I’ve heard so many negative things about individuals that went to college. A LOT have jobs that are not relevant to their major. Some are working the same place they were before they graduated. Sadly, maybe some are even overqualified and cannot obtain one of those entry level positions.

I do not have the expectation of this current position becoming a long term occupation of mine but I hope it will steer me in the right direction. College is not for everyone and there are alternative paths to pursue that may make more money than a person just graduating with a Bachelors degree.

We spend all of this money to attend school for four years, where those first two years are engaging in general education requirements that do not pertain to our field of study. Yes, most jobs presently require a college degree to even be considered but the experience plays a significant role. Applicants are competing against multiple individuals with the same aspirations and education. Without their experience, how will they be able to stand out to employers? Some colleges require students to have an internship completed prior to graduation.

With all of this said, may the odds be in my favor 😬

[KenM9215]

I am a recent college graduate with a degree in psychology, and let me tell you, I would ignore people when it came to them telling me my degree was useless.

A degree is not worthless if you know what you want to actually do with it. For me, I want to go back to get my masters to be able to provide therapy with those with depression/anxiety (or mood disorders).

I recently just got a "stepping stone" position as an ABA technician providing therapy to children with Autism. While this isn't directly related to what I want to do, it will be invaluable to me moving forward. It pays alright but thats not why I'm doing it. I'm doing it for the experience. Your position does not have to be permanent if you don't want it to be.

I guess my question to you is, what did you want to do with your Psychology degree?

Also feel free to DM me if you would like, It's nice to know that there are others in somewhat of a similar situation. Maybe we can help each other out.

[Dsg11694]

You deserved MHO! That’s great. I’ve been looking into Applied Behavioral Analysis for a while. We have somewhat similar positions in reference to who we work with. I work with children that typically have Autism, ODD, ADHD and OCD through a series of Sensory Motor/ Cognitive activities.

[Dsg11694]

You want to do something along the lines of mental health counseling? I’m contemplating graduate school for School Counseling or Social Work. I initially wanted to branch into Psychiatry but I don’t think I can handle the stress/financial strain of medical school.

[KenM9215]

Why thank you! I really appreciate MHO :) .

I think it's a great way to get your foot in the door in terms of getting into Mental health. It feels really good that I'm actually using therapy techniques that i learned in the class room to impact the life of a child for the rest of their life :). I think it's pretty awesome that you work with such a wide variety of diagnosis. I myself have ADHD but learned to control it quite some time ago lol.

I would love to do mental health counseling. I want to go back for my PhD eventually but I don't really want to do the research side of psychology (not that it isn't important or interesting, just not something I want to spend the rest of my days doing).

Psychiatry would be great but I'm totally with you on your reasons. Especially when 1/3 students in medical school either contemplated or have tried to commit suicide, Medical school doesn't sound like something I'm willing to risk so many important factors for.

[Anonymous]

I'd have to say for college degrees for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) are worth pursuing, although it isn't for everybody. And in your case, I guess that's what happened. It just didn't work out. Wonder what happened? Is it because you aren't happy with IT? The thing with IT is you could just go for a major certification like the CompTIA A Plus or a Cisco certification first and look for work, although ideally with an Associate's Degree as a minimum to be safe, but it saves you lots of money and you won't have to run up the bill with tons of student loans that you'll otherwise have to pay back.

Any career or major that relies on and requires at least a Master's degree and beyond such as a Ph. D., comes with additional risks, since you're more than like going to end up borrowing even more money for school and run up the bill and and if you aren't able to get a good paying job after a masters' or doctorate's degree then you'll struggle with many things like bills, rent, etc.

And psychology is among them, so is sociology, typically a masters degree is a minimum to qualify and get hired by most relevant positions for those type of majors.

[Knighted2170]

My take on this is that college has lost most of it's appeal and power. Until the 1970's the only thing most people needed was a high school education for most positions.
College degree's were then pretty much touted as the golden ticket in the 1980's. Then in the 1990's higher education with technical schools became prevalent as an alternative golden ticket. Pretty much a quicker way to get the job.
In the 2000's colleges competed against the trade schools with online degree's and campaigns that pretty much said "This is the only true way." All the while dropping entry requirements and dumbing down courses.

Now a days there is a belief that everyone needs a college degree. Problem is so many people now have them that businesses have to raise the bar. Instead of having 5 applicants out of a 100 with a bachelors degree, they have 98. So the bar is raised to require a masters. But, that is now catching on. The amount of people getting a masters is going up,. If the trend continues the same scenario that happened with the bachelors will happen again with the masters. People will have to see a doctorate for entry level positions because the bar will be raised again.

Not saying to not get an education. Education is always a good thing. But, you have to look at the field. Is everyone in that field coming into with a college degree? If so, the field is flooded and another angle will need to be taken to set yourself apart from the sea of basic entry level bachelors degrees.

[AviationMonk]

It all depends on how much you like psychology. If you really love it and can't see your life with out it then go for it. Don't chase the money. If you really love it then it will love you back. You will always find opportunities to increase your income. First find out what is it going to be for you?

Do you want to do this as a hobby, Job, career or the most sacret a vocation?

Let me tell you what's the difference.

Hobby has no stakes this is something you do for totally selfish reasons and no one cares.
A job is a time/life trading contract. You will give me your time and I will give you money. Please leave your inspirations and suggestions at the door. After your shift your time is your time. But While you are are at my time just do as I said!

Career is something that you love doing and also gets paid. You don't mind staying up late, missing your birthday for work or any other thing because you just love it. If you are in a career that you hate please get a Job.

Vocation: This is most spiritual task you have been giving from the creator. This is the reason you were born. The most sacret, and the most amazing experience. Money, fame, relationship nothing matters at this point. You have to do this. You didn't choose it but it choosed you! You can still find your vocation and work at a job or have a career.
I hope it helps you make a decision and see what psychology means to you. Will it be a job, a career or a Vocation?
The Choice is yours. Ask you heart it will answer.
I hope it helps
Good luck.

[vishna]

I think it's mostly about what degree you're getting/what you're going to do with the degree.

So, I have a degree in Animal and Vet sciences. And I don't want to be a vet, nutritionist, or work on a farm-so, my options are hella limited. I could work in a vet's office, but that's not enough money+you don't need a degree to do that. I think I'll go back to work as a professor of animal science/bio or something. Then I'll have my money and my degree will help.

So, just use your degree wisely.

[Other_Tommy_Wiseau]

No degree is worthless. You can take a degree in anything and make it into anything. What I’ve come to learn is that any hard skill is teachable. I majored in business admin with a minor in global econ, Italian and athletic coaching and was a b-c student... I’m working in supply chain and had no experience and never even heard of the job I’m doing now and make good money, I love it, and, apparently, I’m pretty good at it.

It sucks not knowing. I’ve been there, but you will find something you want to do whether you know what it is or not. Not really advise specific to what you want to do, obviously, but I know the feeling and generally want people to succeed

[disruptor]

If I would start a company I won't hire someone without a degree, it's Purely depend on the course and the demand, I've done my masters from University of central Missouri and immediately I was able to find a job which pays 75k$ per year within 4 years I was able to earn 120k per year and things getting bad after trump becomes president. There are lots are jobs which need to be filled at a higher level, but current conditions not let employees do that. If someone from CS or Mathematics background getting a job is almost cake walk actually it's like within a 2 years you can repay the loan amount. Almost everyone who does masters with me getting good pay.

If you wanted to have smooth career, better go for IT steam. No dubiety you need to work hard, but it's worth..

I know a guy who done his masters in Translation & Interpreting and he earns roughly 80$ -150$ an hour not all degrees are useless

[madhatters4]

the reality is the earning power of a person with a college degree and especially post graduate degree is still much greater on average than a person without a college degree. as well the degree grants a level of career flexibility that may not be afforded to many without it

of course people can be immensely successful and happy without a college degree but the stats still show there are huge benefits to having a college degree

[jacquesvol]

In Europe it's the same.

[madhatters4]

not sure where exactly you are from... what is the average cost of college where you're from? are there free public universities?

[jacquesvol]

In Belgium universities are not free but not as expensive as in the US. (High Schools are free)

[jacquesvol]

But of course , one has to have a lodging and to eat during 5 years.

[madhatters4]

@jacquesvol in the US the average is about $35,000 for private universities, about $10,000 for in-state public unis (so if you are resident of the state), and $25,000 or out-of-state public unis

[jacquesvol]

It isn't that much here but it isn't free either

[NatashaJ]

well go and finish that degree you already put 4 years in then go if you have debt pay that off before going to get your masters!. Remember you can post pone your masters later in life you don't need it right now right now you need to pay off your student debt if you have anything.

[NatashaJ]

Also there online schoolings for masters at Universities now depending if you can find what you want you can apply and go for that masters. It doesn't matter anymore if you have online education or not.

[ChronicThinker]

It depends on what you go for really. It also depends on how you determine "worth it." If worth it is only getting a job straight out of college that pays a ton - it won't likely be worth it because it's unrealistic. If you want to improve your resume and expand your knowledge, it is.

[Miristheiss]

Engineering, being a doctor, lawyer, scientist, mathematician... etc. Probably.

If you mean communications, women's studies, art appreciation, psychology... etc. Probably not. You are starting your life with $100,000 in debt and no guarantee of a really high paying job.

[Anonymous]

I went into the industry of aviation as a mechanic, starting pay was $65k and I went to school for 6 months. For people who can handle the labor, I'd say getting into a trade is perhaps the best decision they can make, you can even find work out of your state or country if you desire to relocate. There's a huge demand for skilled laborers. Especially for males, there's a lot less competition for trade jobs since women aren't entirely interested in the dirty work.

[Goldenskies6]

I'm a female and I am interested into going to trade or become an apprentice either electrician or construction. To build and learn new strengths 😊. But I get mixed answers from my family. My father and guy cousin tell me since I'm a girl and pretty. On the field guys joke very rough. Which leads to little bit of mixed feelings.

[Bluedream13]

I feel pretty bad for people with the best intentions who jump through all the hoops only to get ripped off.

computer science is what u need to learn

[HereIbe]

"I’ve always wanted to study Psychology in attempt to figure myself out and understand certain behaviors of others."

You have fucked yourself over royally, but a LOT of morons take a psychology major as a SUBSTITUTE FOR THERAPY. It's obvious that this is what you did.

Really stupid mistake.

You're boned.
Flip burgers.

[Jack_L_andTurn]

Psychology has been ruined by Levant and his erroneous theories.

[Dinklex3]

Depends on what you're majoring in, lol.
With my AAS I could've gotten a decent job straight after graduating.

[Jack_L_andTurn]

Depends on the field. Law, medicine, engineering are almost always a good bet. Business as well. Philosophy, gender studies, English Lit. and the such are far less marketable.

[HereIbe]

But they make for entertaining baristas and bartenders.

[jss123]

A fully trained psychologist is well paid but you need at least a master's degree to practice. In some countries a Doctorate.
Don't stop at the Bachelors degree. Continue until you at least get your masters.

[Logorithim]

It's not for everyone, that's for sure. Definitely do some internships.

[HereIbe]

There is a particular suckage for clinical psych...

[Volvagia]

Just do whatever the fuck u want, in the long run your major matters less and it's your experience, skills and who you know that's gonna help u out.

[zagor]

To actually get a job in psychology you will need at least a master's.

[pooper89]

No, trade school gives you way more return on investment and more quickly at that.