Is it bad to want a "useless" degree?

Question

Everything I'm interested in pertains to getting a "useless degree", because I am interested in the social sciences and humanities as well as English/English literature. I am scared to make a final decision until I have to/know any better. But I have internalized that the majors I've been considering are frivolous and useless. It hurts my heart, but I don't want to go through with something only to realize after it's too late that I shouldn't have gotten a degree in XYZ.

Also, my goal in life is not to become a millionaire. But my "useless" interests are traditionally not very fiscally generous. I would want to at least make a middle-class type salary so I don't have to struggle as I and my parents before me have.

I'm already getting an Associate's in psychology/sociology this year as long as I don't fail my 5 classes but that's a real struggle right now because it's difficult to concentrate when you don't have much privacy and you get too many hours at work. If I don't get my associates this December I had it coming for me.

mermaidrocketship · Accepted Answer

It’s not bad if you’re passionate. I have a business degree that I’m using. I have friends with art degrees that they’re using. I have friends with practical and less practical degrees working minimum wage jobs. I think it’s great you want to study the humanities. I love being creative but know my moods predict my creative cycle, so I couldn’t depend on something like art for my paycheck. But lots of people do. My advice would be to add a computer science or business minor. That way you can major in your passion while having a practical way to make money if the humanities aren’t paying the bills. I’m a very religious person, and I believe in living life with purpose. And you can’t take your money with you! Live with passion.

sage2021 · Accepted Answer

Since you are still vacillating about getting a college degree and think it will be useless - maybe you should go to trade school and later when you are more sure of yourself you could still keep your trade job and go to college.

I have to say that I can't imagine going to college for four years and paying all that money is worth the disappointment you will feel when in reality you ended up with a useless degree but still have to pay all that money back for years!
I'm just not sure you have throughly researched more degree's that might interest you.
Keep lookin' girl

Lliam · Accepted Answer

Getting a degree is not useless. Most companies now days only hire people with at least a BA degree. They don't even care what your major was as long as you made it through school.

As far as getting rich: Doctors of psychiatry make tons of money. It's probably a growing industry in this day and age.

The main thing about school is, it teaches you to read fast and well. And it teaches you to work hard, focus and be analytical.

But rich people don't all make their money from what they majored in. In stead they seek opportunities and educate themselves along the way.

Sixgunsound · Accepted Answer

If you stay with psychology or sociology you should do all right and make it least the middle class salary if you pursue it through professional licensure. As an English let undergrad myself I can say that you’re probably going to go into teaching or some kind of middle management position that only wants a degree doesn’t care what it’s in. Military officers also require a degree and are somewhat flexible about what it’s in. But humanities degrees tend to stay in or at least adjacent to some level of academia for their careers.

hahahmm · Answer

Yes, it's bad to intentionally get what you believe to be a useless degree. Look at J. K. Rowling... she's done great without a degree in English, hasn't she? She has a degree in French but I doubt she needed it to write Harry Potter books.

I know many people who live a life that others dream of who made all of their money with skills they learned outside of formal education.

Yes, you said you don't want to be a millionaire but the way inflation is going, you will be lucky if you can get a 1 bedroom apartment as a millionaire in the future so, I'd think about that too...

Bethany22 · Answer

How about pursue a marketing degree? There's psychology in it, and you have to consider sociological factors when conducting marketing research. You may be reluctant to pursue it if you're introverted, but it would at the very worst be just as useless as an English degree, but at least you have a few accounting courses under your belt. Get over your fear of math, and plow through it.

SeriouslyFunny00 · Answer

Depends on what kind of job you'd like to have in the future. Some jobs don't need a college degree and will base solely on your skills. If the job you want needs a diploma, then go for it.

For example, you can be an Entrepreneur without the "Entrepreneurship" degree. If you like Psychology, I think there are still many job opportunities with that. If you like English, you might try teaching English to students as a career.

PamelaRivers · Answer

It's never "bad" to follow your heart. I would just say to have a plan for a career after college if there isn't income from the degree.

I'm not going to quote my dad (well anymore than I have already) and say that you shouldn't do anything that dosent lead to a job. Some self improvement and life lessons are just as fulfilling.

Hope things work out for you.

FilmGuy93 · Answer

There's nothing wrong with wanting a useless degree, just don't be surprised or upset when you have to take up a trade to make your livelihood.

The biggest trick to succeeding in life is recognizing that education is what you make it and that you don't have to play by anyone else's rules.

sunflower00 · Answer

Getting any degree isn’t useless. Degrees no matter what do look good, and why not spend your time doing something you genuinely like rather than hating your life for a few years.

I understand though because I’m kind of in the same situation. I’m torn between doing what I’m interested in (ancient history, anthropology, etc.) vs something useful like marketing.

midnightmoon05 · Answer

Sounds like you have few things going on here. You do need to start focusing on what it is you are going to pursue. If its psy., stick to it and do well in those classes. You do need to go further to a 4 year college. Then a Masters Degree to as far as a PhD in Psy to be at the level of life style you mentioned.

jshm2 · Answer

There is no "useless degree" though nearly every degree is just paper. It's really your own developed skills that are worth anything.

Hence why people with "good" degrees can go on to do nothing much. Whereas people with no or a "useless" degrees can change the world.

I tend to find people with degrees from "prestigious" institutions tend to be more incompetent at the job. But can tell you all about it.

HighValue · Answer

If the degree isn't going to help you have a better income it is a bad idea to get it. It would just be a waste of time and money that can harm you for many years into the future. If you like English you can get a single subject English teaching degree. Other than that it is pointless.

Raphaëlle · Answer

If you're really interested in something, study it and and get a degree. Why study something you don't like? That's not going to motivate you at all. If the subject (s) you like also have a future career path, even better. Also just because you study something, you don't know if that's going to be your profession for the rest of your live. You can change your mind or want to explore other things.

Quidthonian · Answer

No, not at all. I have obtained a 4-year degree back in 2001. What such a long study does, it teaches you a different life-style. I studied engineering, and I am working in the industry.

It is your decision; I certain that someone will have need for your skills.

Godsvengeance · Answer

Only if you expect other people to foot the bill because the degree won't make you any money. If you fully pay for it all by yourself then it's great to gain more knowledge. The thing about useless degrees is that you generally don't need to go to college to learn about those topics. Between libraries and online resources, you can learn it for free

bamesjond0069 · Answer

I'm pretty well off and my degree wasn't really financially worth it. I wish I used that money on investing in my own business way back when. I'd be so much farther ahead right now.

Was it worthless no. But was it worth the money spent on it? No. I'd recommend just go to community College and call it a day for the average person.

msc545 · Answer

You can get a degree in whatever you want, but understand unless it's a STEM degree people with no education at all will consider it to be useless and act accordingly. You could also get a vocational certificate in plumbing or welding and become a right-wing heroine.

Seriously, a degree you don't really want is not worth the time and money it takes to get it. Marry rich, and enjoy your education.

Chazmatazz269 · Answer

Not if you get multiple degrees. As long as capitalism reigns supreme, you gotta play the game. Get the less useful degree for a sense of satisfaction, especially if you get too little from your paying gigs.

NathanDavis · Answer

what I see is that this degree is already harming you by giving you all kinds of concern, stress, trouble and uncertainty... and that is definitely NOT good at all

RiseofArtemis · Answer

You'd better be off to just marry and be a stay at home mother. Some degrees like social studies could help you be a better mother or parent. But most degrees only exist to put you into a dept trap.

matchrestore · Answer

I have a BA Theatre Art with a minor in Studio Art, and an MFA in Theatre Arts. I'm gainfully employed in my field. Go get the degree that will make you happy.

TheSpaceGnome · Answer

Normally no for most passions, but psychology and sociology are useless, and not just financially speaking.

They are inaccurate professions, so all you will be doing is paying money to learn how to piss people off by stereotyping. 🤷🏻

katybaggins · Answer

Any bachelor's is useful as many companies will look for that. But it really does help to have an idea of what you might want to do with it later especially if you need to get further education. I remember when I declared history as a major, the department head asked me what I would do with it because it could be considered "useless". Well, after many turns in the road, I'm exactly back where I was then: going into teaching :)

WhitneySnow · Answer

You can be a professor with a degree like that. Also my mom’s friend told me a lot of lawyers have “useless” degrees and still get into law school.

TroyDT2 · Answer

Getting a "useless" degree is a luxury for the wealthy but can be financial death sentence for those who are not. But of course social science courses are a good prerequisite for law school, so that might not be an actual waste.

LazerBean · Answer

Not as long as you actually can and will pay off whatever student debt you accumulate.

ChefPapiChulo · Answer

school is just where you go to make connections and receive a formal education. it looks better on a resume than no degree. the real experience you get will be on the field of the career you choose.

exitseven · Answer

As long as you have a plan for your future and you don't bury yourself in debt it is okay Online classes are a waste of time

weysally · Answer

someone I knew, had to have a PHD, he took it in ducks, haven't a clue why,

ZenJen444 · Answer

Why are you doing this? Like what's the point? If you're going to go for psychology degree then go for being a psychiatrist or psychologist and obtain a psyd or phd. I don't understand what you're doing? You seem misguided.

Shamalien · Answer

I don't know, is it bad to be unemployed with high debt chasing government grants along with a million other people? do whatever you want with your life ONCE you have stable income

melanieeeB · Answer

No degree is useless and you should do what makes you happy and is fun for you to learn

Charlesbrandonf · Answer

Have a degree worthless, but get a tech skill and have experience they’ll kiss your feet and hire you for your work.

MCheetah · Answer

It's not bad IF you can actually make a steady living off of it. The problem is, can you?

Mynameisbobby · Answer

At least you're getting a degree and I don't think it will be useless. I'm in my first year of college.

Avicenna · Answer

It's definitely bad if you run up debt to get it

boobliker · Answer

no degree is useless as you had to work to get it and that what it shows to others, enjoy be there too

Hispanic-Cool-Guy · Answer

Never go to college to get a degree especially here in the United States unless the career you desire 100% demands higher education degree i. e. doctor, lawyer etc.

Twalli · Answer

A degree is only as useless as you make it, and you don't have to go into the field you got your degree in. I got a degree in history and I am probably going to be in medical billing and coding.

BJP21 · Answer

Im working in the Auto Industry working on BA Environmental Studies degree. Ever since Covid its been a struggle.

joeldalton · Answer

College debt is extremely burdensome. I can't imagine wasting $100k on a degree that will bring me a salary of $40k.

TonightYouu · Answer

I’m gonna be honest anything outside of STEM and accounting is a useless degree you’d be better off learning a trade

_Just_A_girl_ · Answer

Make up your own business doing what you love money will be better spent And no debt Yay

VanguardTitan · Answer

No degree is useless exactly. It's purely based on what you learnt during the time you spent in college.

AngryCarl · Answer

If you're committing years of your life to something you better be doing it for something worthwhile.

Alcoholic_Wannabe · Answer

College is such a scam right now. There's not a single truly useful degree out there.

FireFox001 · Answer

It is not bad, but if it is useless, you should get a secondary option. That's all.

Anonymous · Answer

you wanna know a secret 95% of the time you won't even use that stupid degree i sure as hell don't in my line of work

Smashingdoozy · Answer

A degree isn't useless if it makes you happy

Blackcupcake · Answer

educating yourself is never useless

Havthrills · Answer

Any degree is not useless

Jennz6 · Answer

I didn’t go to high school.

TacosRAwesome · Answer

Depends on what your plans and skills are.

MiseriaCantareAFI · Answer

any degree in these days, is not useless

Alex8736 · Answer

with psychology you can be a social worker

EaterPeter · Answer

Not bad, make fortune out of it

Is it bad to want a "useless" degree?

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