Degrees to avoid
Degrees are often seen as a marker of achievement—a stamp of approval that says, “This person has gone beyond the level of high school and achieved college degree.”
Usually, degrees come with a degree of prestige. But are degrees useless in the future? Or have they become useless? Read on to find out.
Top Most Useless Degrees of the future
Today, most people agree that degrees such as anthropology, sociology, and psychology are useless degrees. And most college graduates don’t have any degree in those fields.
In fact, most analysts who are looking at the job market in the next 10 years, consider the above degrees useless degrees.
Among them, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning, Robotics, Nanotechnology, 3D printing, genetics and biotechnology are top most sectors of job market that is faced with high-level disruption. Many experts have also predicted that these fields will become the career path of tomorrow.
Therefore, if you are looking forward to shape your career path in future, it’s better to opt for degree from these fields which will create a favorable impact on your career path.
Tips to avoid getting trapped into a useless degree
Before you commit to a degree, ask yourself some key questions. For example, how long do you plan to stay in the job market and pursue your goals after completing your degree? How likely are you to be replaced by a freelancer or contract worker in the future?
It’s also important to consider the type of degree that will most effectively prepare you for your career goals. Consider majoring in subjects that will enable you to pursue your interests and provide you with a good job opportunity.
Additionally, research the industrial sector you plan on entering. Avoid degrees that are less “hot” in the job market and may present difficulty finding a job. Finally, earn work experience through internships or taking vocational courses if you have already acquired a useless degree.
With all this said, here is our list of the most useless degrees.
In Edsmart’s article, 20 degree programs were considered most useless. These degrees include computer science, criminal justice, fashion design, fashion merchandising, graphic design, marketing, and web design.
There’s no denying that college degrees are increasingly valued in the job market.
With this said, not all degrees are worth pursuing. In particular, degrees related to computer science or criminal justice may provide a stable job but don’t offer much job prospects after graduation.
STEM degrees may be the most reliable choice for a stable job and college degrees are evaluated based on their value by employers, peers and society.
An alphabetical list of useless degrees is available on Edsmart’s website for reference.
No education is useless; it can help broaden horizons and give new perspectives.
1. Anthropology And Archeology
An anthropology degree may look promising, but it’s essential to understand the degree’s limitations and requirements. Most anthropology degrees do not require extensive training in the field and can be earned with a bachelor’s degree alone.
Additionally, a bachelor’s degree may not provide a necessary foundation for work in anthropology, especially if you are pursuing a Ph.D. degree. As such, a Ph.D. degree is often required for success in this field. Plus, jobs in anthropology are scarce, making it difficult for those with the degree to find work in the field.
Anthropologist salaries are low, averaging around $61,910 per year, with an employment outlook of 7%. So it’s crucial to understand the limitations of anthropology degrees before enrolling or pursuing one.
2. Advertising
An advertising degree is preferred over one in marketing or public relations by hiring managers because it covers a broader range of topics.
Plus, advertising majors have fewer job prospects than those in other fields due to the specific topics they study in college. Unemployment rate of advertising and public relations majors is 8.71% while unemployment rate of marketing majors is 3.56%
3. Art history
Art history is a high-niche subject that can be difficult to master. But art history degrees do have their benefits. Most art history degrees cover a broad range of areas, such as sculpting, painting, drawing, digital media, and photography.
So after graduation, most people with art history degrees become sales clerks or managers with an average salary of $35,000 per year. However, the degree itself does not always guarantee a well-paying job after college.
Art history is a challenging degree to pursue; however, it can lead to rewarding career options in the art and design industries.
Two researchers from Rutgers University developed a machine learning system that can identify the artist and style of fine art with high accuracy. Their work could help art historians identify fine art more quickly and with greater accuracy in the future.
4. Tourism And Hospitality
Tourism and hospitality management may not be the most useful degree in 2022, but it is trending towards being so. Commonly held hospitality jobs include meeting/event planners, hotel resident managers, and catering managers.
These workers are responsible for making sure that all of the different parts of a large event run smoothly, from planning to executing. They may work with different vendors to make sure that everything runs smoothly, from catering to decorations.
Meeting/event planners have a median salary of $55,476 and a ROW of 87% for degree earners attending public college. Hotel resident managers have a median salary of $65,076 and an ROI approaching 102% for degree earners attending public college.
Specializing in the travel sector and tourism can open up more serious gigs and help improve one’s career.
5. Computer Science
Computer Science is currently the least popular degree for undergraduates, with only about 10% of bachelor’s degree holders pursuing computer science as their college major.
A bachelor’s degree in computer science offers a versatile career path with an average starting salary of $85,354. A computer science and mathematics degree covers the intersection of computer technology and mathematical equations, putting students at the forefront of technological advancement.
Students who study computer science at a college or university develop strong problem-solving and analytical skills that are applicable to a wide range of career opportunities.
A bachelor’s degree in computer science also teaches students how to work effectively in a team, which is crucial for success in today’s job market.
6. Creative Writing
Creative writing can be usedto create books, articles, or other forms of writing. A degree in creative writing may not be as useful as other English degrees in the professional writing field.
Artificial intelligence has made it easier for anyone to write an article or book without a degree. That being said, most people with a degree in creative writing end up working as bartenders, waiters, retail assistants, or other jobs.
Creative writing is a broad field and those who are exceptionally talented may be able to start their career without a degree.
7. Criminal Justice
A criminal justice degree can provide access to a range of positions within the field, such as law enforcement and political science. While it is true that criminal justice graduates may not have work experience in the field, they are still highly sought after due to their skills in the field.
A degree in criminal justice is not a guarantee to get a job as a detective or police officer, as only high school diploma is required. With the rise in technology and decrease in the need for people with criminal justice skills, future job prospects for criminal justice degree holders are expected to be less than stable.
Additionally, according to Projections Central, the number of detectives and police officers is expected to increase by less than 6% over the next five years.
8. Culinary arts
A culinary arts degree may not be the best route for those aiming to pursue a career in the culinary sector. While culinary arts graduates may work as cooks or chefs in the field, most hiring managers prioritize practical experience and raw talent over a degree.
It’s true that a culinary arts degree can help prepare someone for a career in the culinary field, but it’s more important to gain practical experience through work experience or apprenticeship programs.
Potential chefs should instead focus on gaining relevant work experience in the kitchen as an apprentice, which can offer them valuable hands-on experience without requiring a degree.
Overall, culinary arts degrees aren’t worth the time and money spent if graduates are only expected to work as cooks or chefs in the industry.
9. Theater Arts
In today’s society, there can be a perception that theater arts is a useless major. With all the creative potential of theater arts, it’s understandable why people would view this degree as one without practical uses. However, this may not be entirely true. A degree in theater arts can be highly beneficial in different areas of life.
For example, theater arts graduates are often able to land high-paying jobs in the theater industry after graduation.
One such graduate with a master’s degree in theater arts was able to land a job at Broadway and make more than her brother with his business degree.
Another example is the library science and interdisciplinary studies degrees that are considered the most useless college degrees in tier-1 countries, such as the United States and the United Kingdom.
These degrees combine different disciplines and allow students to gain valuable work experience while earning a college degree.
10. Entrepreneurship
A degree in entrepreneurship may not be necessary to become an entrepreneur, as it is possible to leverage other skills to become successful in business and earn an average income.
An entrepreneurship degree on its own may not be enough to secure employment as it requires hands-on business experience to be successful. Other degrees may also be required depending on the type of business one wants to work in.
For example, a degree in marketing or management may help with marketing and management of a company, whereas a degree in finance may be helpful for a financial officer. Earning a degree in business may be a better option for those looking to start a business as it is more employable.
Hospitality Management is the most common degree for those looking to become restaurant or hotel managers.
11. Fashion Design
A fashion design degree can lead to a career in sales clerks or managers in clothing stores. While fashion design is a challenging degree to obtain straight out of school, with an education and work experience, it can lead to a career as a fashion designer with a big brand.
Fashion design is predicted to become less desirable over the next five years due to rapid changes in technology and consumer interests. With all this said, here is our list of the most useless degrees.
A fashion design degree is still important and relevant in today’s job market, but it must be combined with other skills and education if you wish to succeed.
12. Ethnic and civilization studies
Ethnic and civilization studies are similar to international studies and intercultural degrees. However, the field of ethnic and civilization studies is more specific, as it focuses on the study of different cultures throughout history. In some ways, this degree can give students an edge in the job market by showing a fascination with other cultures.
It’s also critical for students to take college-level courses in anthropology, sociology, or cultural studies if they want to truly understand different cultures and succeed in their career. Additionally, degree in ethnic and civilization studies can provide deeper understanding of different cultures.
13. Exercise science
As with most degrees, exercise science has its advantages and disadvantages. Primarily, exercise science is great if you are looking to pursue a career in physical therapy or fitness training.
However, it is important to consider other certifications that are more affordable than a degree. Some common certifications include personal trainer certification, exercise science specialist certification, and sports performance certification.
If you’re not sure where to start with your search for certifications, take a look at our list of the best options for certifying your expertise in the field.
Another important consideration when choosing a degree is unemployment rate for degree holders in the field.
While some fields have higher unemployment rates than others, it’s still important to do your research and find out what the average unemployment rate is for graduates from your program of interest.
Lastly, be sure to consider other options besides a degree in exercise science if you’re not interested in pursuing a career in physical therapy or fitness training
14. Sociology
Sociology can be a valuable degree to have, with many job opportunities and high earning potential in the field. Sociology degree holders can work as social workers, counselors, or in other related fields. Sociolan degree earners typically earn around $40,000 a year.
In median salary range of social worker, corrections officer, and chemical dependency counselor. Public college degree earners return up to 61%, while college degree holders at private college return up to 21%.
Overall, sociology degree is a great investment for those looking for career options in the field.
15. Child Development (Bachelor’s degree)
In order to work as a child development specialist, it’s not necessary to have a degree in the field. However, if you’re interested in working with children and want more specialized training, a bachelor’s degree in child development may help.
If you’re looking for an advanced degree that would better prepare you for work in child development, consider pursuing a master’s degree in the field. Although a bachelor’s degree may give you a basic understanding of child development, master’s degrees are more rigorous and can be tailored to your area of interest.
Whether you’re working with children as an after-school program or therapy assistant or as a classroom teacher, it’s important to have the proper certification and/or license for your job. This ensures that you are legally allowed to work with children and comply with local regulations.
16. International studies
International studies is a degree that focuses on the study of different countries’ cultures, history, politics, and more. This degree can help students learn about other people and their way of life. Students who pursue international studies can expect to work in government, academia, or the United Nations after graduating.
As globalization has increased over the years, demand for international studies programs has grown as well. Today’s students have access to a wealth of information through social media and internet sites such as Google.
Technology has also advanced enough that individuals can access information from other cultures without having to major in international studies.
Overall, this degree is highly relevant today as it gives students a broad education about different societies around the world.
17. Liberal arts
A liberal arts degree can lead to a variety of job opportunities, including bartenders, store clerks, or sales managers. However, computer science is the least popular degree for undergraduates.
A bachelor’s degree in history can help develop skills in writing, speed reading, researching, and more. Ethical hacking, adventure education, and physical science studies are among the unusual college degrees that give students a well-rounded education.
A bachelor’s degree in fine arts typically has an average unemployment or underemployment rate of 44%. With all this said, here is our list of the most useless degrees: 17. Liberal arts
18. Fine arts
A degree in fine arts covers a broad range of areas, including sculpting, painting, drawing, and photography. The degree can help art historians study various periods and styles in art history. Art history is a high niche subject that can often be perceived as one of those degrees that may not guarantee a well-paying job.
However, this perception is becoming less and less true with the advancement of art-related technologies such as artificial intelligence (A.I.) and related areas.
In recent years, art historians have found themselves at a disadvantage in competing with these new technologies, which enable A.I. to make effective decisions without human input or supervision.
19. Visual Arts (Bachelor’s degree)
Visual arts is a broad field that covers areas such as sculpting, painting, drawing, photography, digital media and graphic design. Visual arts degree holders usually work as sales clerks or managers, or as substitute teachers or carpenters.
The average salary for visual arts bachelor’s degree holders is $35,000 per year, which makes it a useful degree for those looking for work in the creative industries.
However, most visual arts bachelor’s degree holders end up working in less creative fields. Out of all art degrees, visual arts degree holders are most likely to work as museum research workers or graphic designers.
20. English Language/Literature
An English language/literature degree can lead to a career as a high school teacher, although it is often difficult to find employment in this field with only 52% of graduates earning enough money for basic necessities.
A degree in composition and rhetoric may not prepare a person for writing in the real world, with an unemployment rate of 17.54%. Instead, it would be best to pursue degrees in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) that are in high demand.
In addition to teaching high school, language translator is another job available after graduation with an average salary of $49,110 and a job outlook of 24%.
Other possible language jobs include interpreter, tour guide, and English language teacher. If you decide to pursue a degree in English language/literature, remember that it will most likely not lead to a stable career.
22. Music
Music is a major that is becoming increasingly difficult to find employment in. Many music majors end up teaching music lessons or leading worship at churches for little pay.
While the degree may provide an enjoyable and creative experience, it is often not sufficient for graduates to thrive in the job market.
Music graduates face numerous challenges when looking for work, including lack of education that many employers are looking for.
Additionally, computer science is currently the least popular major for undergraduates, followed by performing and visual art. As a result, music majors often struggle to find work after college.
23. Education
When talking about degrees that are useless for the job market, education is one of the most common degrees mentioned.
Athletic training degree (Bachelor’s degree) is a popular degree for undergraduates looking to gain experience in a field that requires athletic skills, such as baseball or soccer.
However, due to oversaturation in the job market and lack of employment opportunities after graduation, bachelor’s degree holders are often forced to consider other options.
Similarly, computer science degree (Bachelor’s degree) is not very popular among college students interested in computer science because there are already too many computer science professionals working in the industry.
Consequently, it can be difficult for college graduates to find work in this field after graduating college.
Visual arts degree (Bachelor’s degree) can lead to work as sales clerks or managers with an average salary of $35,000 per year; however, most college graduates looking for work find more attractive options and opt for more lucrative degrees such as business administration or computer science.
24. Journalism
Journalism is a noble profession that has helped shape the world we live in today. However, with the rapid pace of technological and social change, it’s clear that there are now more opportunities for people with different degrees.
Therefore, a degree in journalism is no longer as useful as it once was.
Today, students are often encouraged to pursue degrees in computer science, business, and other fields to stay up-to-date with the changing job market.
As a result, journalism degrees have become less popular than they used to be. Still, if you’re passionate about media and want to make a career out of it, there’s no reason why you can’t pursue a degree in this field.
Which degree is best for future?
There are pros and cons to both degrees when it comes to the future. However, if you want to make a career out of education or social work, then a degree in education or social work is most likely the way to go.
Data management and analysis skills are in high demand in the current economy, so a degree in any field that offers these skills can be beneficial. Teaching credentials can be added as an option for students who want to remain in academia.
Computer science is currently the least popular degree for undergraduates due to low employment opportunities.
However, adventure education and ethical hacking are considered to be weird degrees for college students and may not be offered as options.
So, if you’re interested in pursuing either of these degrees, it’s best to do your research first.
Why should I pursue a degree in a degree that is useless in the future?
There are a few reasons why you may want to pursue a degree that is useless in the future.
1. Consider the value of the degree and how it can benefit you in the long-term. A degree from a respected university can open up opportunities for you in the job market, and can also provide you with enhanced career prospects.
2. Examine the job prospects for the degree, and whether it is in demand in the job market. If the degree is not in high demand, then it may be difficult to find a job that matches your qualifications. Additionally, if the degree is not in high demand, then you may incur greater amounts of debt when pursuing it.
3. Look into the median starting salary and work demand for the degree. Make sure that the degree you are pursuing is within a reasonable price range and that there is adequate work demand for it. If you find that the debt incurred to pursue the degree is worth it, then by all means go for it!
So lets conclude
So, can you see yourself in any of these useless degrees? We’re guessing most people wouldn’t want to pick up any of them.
The art of choosing a degree depends on various factors like career path, college reputation, and tuition fees. If you’re still stuck in the degree you’ve been pursuing for years, it’s high time to rethink your career path.
There are plenty of alternatives to choose from that will help you get a job easily and land a stable career. So, think wisely before getting trapped by useless degrees!
Related Post :
How to save money on a tight budget-Simple tips 2023
Creative Ideas to Make Money and See the World Make Money Now
What’s the easiest way to make money online?
Find Financial Freedom with Unconventional Money Making Ideas Online
Make Easy Money with Social Media: An Expert Guide
Best apps that pay you to play games in 2023