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Worthless Degrees. Did your degree make the list?
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bmaw01



Joined: 13 May 2013

PostPosted: Sun Jul 07, 2013 4:10 am    Post subject: Worthless Degrees. Did your degree make the list? Reply with quote

http://www.forbes.com/pictures/lmj45ldff/the-least-valuable-college-majors/

A video on crushing student loan debt.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFY-PgPA-Uk


I can't tell you how many people that I've met in South Korea who have worthless degrees. Do you really think you're going to get a job with that transgender studies degree? African American studies? Let's not forget Literature, History, and Anthropology.

I think this is why there are so many people in Asia teaching English. The job market back home has gotten very specialized. Math and Science majors are having a much easier time in the job market. Having a degree is still important, but you need to think carefully before you choose your path. Is it really worth taking out $80,000 in student loans so you can get a degree in woman's studies?


Last edited by bmaw01 on Sun Jul 07, 2013 4:27 am; edited 1 time in total
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ttompatz



Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea

PostPosted: Sun Jul 07, 2013 4:24 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

They may suck if you are trying to find a job in the States.

Lots of opportunities abroad (and not just as a teacher or in EFL).

I think the problem more lies in the simple fact that people think the degree is what gets them the job. It merely opens a few doors. It's what you do after you get through the door that matters.

And as a side note, an undergrad degree is also just the start for some of those fields and not employment as an expert; where you'd be looking at a related MA/PhD to actually be employed in your field to get beyond the grunt level as a research assistant's assistant.

.
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falco



Joined: 26 Nov 2005

PostPosted: Sun Jul 07, 2013 4:38 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yep, mines right up there near the top (Philosophy), as it nearly always is in these studies.....lol.
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wooden nickels



Joined: 23 May 2010

PostPosted: Sun Jul 07, 2013 4:45 am    Post subject: Re: Worthless Degrees. Did your degree make the list? Reply with quote

bmaw01 wrote:
http://www.forbes.com/pictures/lmj45ldff/the-least-valuable-college-majors/

A video on crushing student loan debt.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFY-PgPA-Uk


I can't tell you how many people that I've met in South Korea who have worthless degrees. Do you really think you're going to get a job with that transgender studies degree? African American studies? Let's not forget Literature, History, and Anthropology.

I think this is why there are so many people in Asia teaching English. The job market back home has gotten very specialized. Math and Science majors are having a much easier time in the job market. Having a degree is still important, but you need to think carefully before you choose your path. Is it really worth taking out $80,000 in student loans so you can get a degree in woman's studies?


I have one of those (worthless) degrees. I had a job waiting for me upon graduation. I've never been unemployed except for a few weeks of vacation when willfully changing jobs. It helped me get a couple of good jobs before coming to Korea. I can't really think of a degree that could have been more helpful since I've been in Korea.
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edwardcatflap



Joined: 22 Mar 2009

PostPosted: Sun Jul 07, 2013 7:16 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:



I can't tell you how many people that I've met in South Korea who have worthless degrees. Do you really think you're going to get a job with that transgender studies degree? African American studies? Let's not forget Literature, History, and Anthropology.



Actually, History and philosophical studies made the top 10 useful degrees in the UK according to this survey. Good to see British employers aren't as Philistine as you

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/universityeducation/10146038/Graduate-jobs-top-12-degree-subjects-for-getting-a-job.html?frame=2282929




Laughing Laughing Laughing Laughing Laughing Laughing
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frankhenry



Joined: 13 Mar 2007

PostPosted: Sun Jul 07, 2013 7:30 am    Post subject: Re: Worthless Degrees. Did your degree make the list? Reply with quote

bmaw01 wrote:
http://www.forbes.com/pictures/lmj45ldff/the-least-valuable-college-majors/

A video on crushing student loan debt.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFY-PgPA-Uk


I can't tell you how many people that I've met in South Korea who have worthless degrees. Do you really think you're going to get a job with that transgender studies degree? African American studies? Let's not forget Literature, History, and Anthropology.

I think this is why there are so many people in Asia teaching English. The job market back home has gotten very specialized. Math and Science majors are having a much easier time in the job market. Having a degree is still important, but you need to think carefully before you choose your path. Is it really worth taking out $80,000 in student loans so you can get a degree in woman's studies?


And your Degree is in what?

Why did YOU come here?
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bmaw01



Joined: 13 May 2013

PostPosted: Sun Jul 07, 2013 8:29 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

My degree is in Special Education.

Why did I come here? That's a fair question. My mom passed away February 01, 2011. She had been sick for 5 years. She was a strong woman. She ran a very successful businesses while sick. Taking care of a small business is hard work, and it's very hard if you're not 100%. Her death took everyone by surprise. She never complained. When she passed I looked within myself and I saw that I was not happy. I wanted a different life. I wanted to travel the world and to meet different people. I'm 42 years old. I've never traveled outside America before. I didn't own a passport. Hell, I've only been to Florida one time in my life. I lived a sheltered life I guess. I'm from a small resort area in New Jersey. It gets extremely busy in the Summer and for the remaining 9 months it's a ghost town. I wanted out of there, and I knew that teaching in another country could be my way out.

I didn't mean to get people angry. If I offended you then I'm sorry. I do not think I'm better than you or anybody else. I just wanted to start a discussion on student loan debt, and why people need to be careful when they pursue certain degrees.
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northway



Joined: 05 Jul 2010

PostPosted: Sun Jul 07, 2013 8:59 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Only crappy schools offer a major called "Liberal Arts". It logically follows that it will be difficult to get a job coming from such a school.
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edwardcatflap



Joined: 22 Mar 2009

PostPosted: Sun Jul 07, 2013 3:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
I didn't mean to get people angry


Really? Let me give you a writing lesson. This..

I can't tell you how many people that I've met in South Korea who have worthless degrees. Do you really think you're going to get a job with that transgender studies degree?

...is likely to get people angry/annoyed. This....

...I've met a lot of people in Korea who have non-vocational Arts degrees. How easy is it to find a job after leaving university with this kind of qualification?

....is likely to spawn a relaxed discussion on student loan debt. Notice the difference?
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Who's Your Daddy?



Joined: 30 May 2010
Location: Victoria, Canada.

PostPosted: Sun Jul 07, 2013 4:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

http://www.forbes.com/pictures/lmj45ldff/the-least-valuable-college-majors/

I don't understand why these sites make me click away to see pictures when they could just list them on page one.
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No_hite_pls



Joined: 05 Mar 2007
Location: Don't hate me because I'm right

PostPosted: Sun Jul 07, 2013 4:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

edwardcatflap wrote:
Quote:
I didn't mean to get people angry


Really? Let me give you a writing lesson. This..

I can't tell you how many people that I've met in South Korea who have worthless degrees. Do you really think you're going to get a job with that transgender studies degree?

...is likely to get people angry/annoyed. This....

...I've met a lot of people in Korea who have non-vocational Arts degrees. How easy is it to find a job after leaving university with this kind of qualification?

....is likely to spawn a relaxed discussion on student loan debt. Notice the difference?


Exactly, the way he stated the question was rude. Now I feel that I have to defend myself for my life choice to teach in Korea.

I have a fine degree in GIS. It's middle of the pack for usefulness. I had no problem finding a job during and after university. I just didn't like computer work that much and the pay was average. I also don't believe computer work is good for health in the long term. I was lucky, I took enough science credits for minor in Meteorology. This has gotten me a job teaching middle school science here. I am starting a program here (correspondence) and by next year I will be certified to teach high school science. I hope I find a job as science teacher back home or at an International school the following year. These are fine middle class goals.

BTW There are a lot of English and Education majors here as there should be most of jobs are teaching English. I have never meet anyone with a degree African American studies or Women studies here.


Last edited by No_hite_pls on Sun Jul 07, 2013 8:03 pm; edited 5 times in total
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No_hite_pls



Joined: 05 Mar 2007
Location: Don't hate me because I'm right

PostPosted: Sun Jul 07, 2013 4:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Who's Your Daddy? wrote:
http://www.forbes.com/pictures/lmj45ldff/the-least-valuable-college-majors/

I don't understand why these sites make me click away to see pictures when they could just list them on page one.


agreed
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Underwaterbob



Joined: 08 Jan 2005
Location: In Cognito

PostPosted: Sun Jul 07, 2013 4:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Who's Your Daddy? wrote:
http://www.forbes.com/pictures/lmj45ldff/the-least-valuable-college-majors/

I don't understand why these sites make me click away to see pictures when they could just list them on page one.


You answered your own question: more clicks = more ad revenue.
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Smithington



Joined: 14 Dec 2011

PostPosted: Sun Jul 07, 2013 7:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

As always, Kent Brockman had this problem pinned many moons ago. Very Happy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLphh4YtrHg
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le-paul



Joined: 07 Apr 2009
Location: dans la chambre

PostPosted: Sun Jul 07, 2013 10:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

i dont see what difference it makes if people chose a 'worthless degree'.

First of all, the world would be a pretty boring place if everyone chose the same degree. There may not be sufficient jobs for everyone, but at least there are people qualified to to do the things that are required (for example african womens studies/art teachers/illustrators/historians). The wonderful thing about higher education, is that there are masters levels etc. if you want to specialise/change your vocation. If you studied history, it still gives you the same opportunity to study a masters level teaching cert. as a degree in english. No degree - youre not on the ladder.

Secondly, who knows when they're 17 or 18 what they want to do for the rest of their lifes? Its better to have devoted your time to something you have a passion for than something that is going to be like a lead weight around your neck for 3/4 years.

For someone that comes from the 'land of the free', you seem to have enough fun criticising people for having made a personal choice.
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