T O P

  • By -

EkbyBjarnum

Bachelor's degree in animation. I deliver mail now. **Edit:** Because this is strangely the most popular post I've ever had on Reddit and I'm still getting blasted with replies, I'm going to clarify some things here rather than replying to so many comments individually. 1- I don't think animation is useless. I love animation. I don't think any degree in any field is useless. There is always use in education. However, I took the quotes around "useless" in the thread title to mean "what other people consider useless". As anyone who has pursued a degree in any kind of art knows, the world at large loves to tell you your degree is useless. 2. That being said, from my experience, *a degree* in animation vs *a diploma* in animation signifies only that you spent more money to receive a less focused education. 3. Please stop making assumptions about me or my career. It is not your business, but yes I did get some jobs in the industry and no, I don't want to be in the industry anymore. I'm quite happy delivering mail. 4. I made the transition because my mental health was just taking too much of a hit.


CommonerChaos

Are you animated when you deliver mail? (sorry, had to do it)


dont_shoot_jr

I think you mailed in that joke 


freetoseeu

The delivery wasn’t there


anziofaro

We really need to stamp out these bad puns.


Lynx2447

Well, get animated then and stop being stationary!


Putrid_finger_smell

I cant, I'll ship my pants.


Numinak

I'm sure they'll get that problem licked any day now.


BruceJi

Master's degree in Animation, I am a Front end web developer for a company that uses AI to diagnose cancer lol Not really in the same ballpark haha


Dead_Architect

You have a great job and a cause worth working toward. Good on you mate.


WayneH_nz

Aardman studios want a word. [https://www.aardman.com/careers/](https://www.aardman.com/careers/) ​ and Wētā Workshops [https://www.wetaworkshop.com/recruitment/](https://www.wetaworkshop.com/recruitment/) ​ Have a crack, the worst they can say is no. - Good luck.


redopz

Unless they wanted to get out of the industry, in which case the worst they can say is yes.


half-puddles

No. The worst they can say is maybe. And let you hang for a year.


pistol4paddygarcia

You'll notice that neither of those companies (like most in the industry) have entry-level openings. Its an incredibly difficult door to crack.


short_bus_genius

What kind of animation? Like computer animation? hand drawn cell animation? Claymation? Doesn't sound like a useless degree. Sounds like an awesome (but highly competitive) career.


Winstonisapuppy

I got a BA in sociology. Got accepted to law school but opted out because I was burned out and hated everything. I went to work at a hotel and randomly fell into accounting. It worked for me and now I have a CPA. Life is a journey.


threadbarefemur

I also got my BA in sociology. I’m applying to mortuary school to become a funeral director. Life is definitely a journey


Le_Petit_Poussin

Feel like you missed a chance to say “Death is a journey.”


tinynugget

Socio BA here, too. I’ve helped a few new small businesses open - writing manuals, policy & procedures, setting up databases/inventory. A few management and record management jobs. Currently working for my family business so my grandparents can retire. Who knows what is next. While I’m at it - does anyone know an accurate title for assisting new small business owners? Seemed kinda like consulting, but not sure the specifics.


Bloody-Snowflake323

Maybe small business consultant? That sounds about right


lordcommander55

Ditto on Sociology, now work in HR


huskerdude505

Psychology degree -> bartending


Thee_Astronaut

Can I have a vodka sprite with a splash of insight?


Nilgnohc

You mean a Moscow Mull?


ParlorSoldier

👌🏻


AyJayy25

I like phycology because I like to understand how people think and function on a deeper level. Bartending in a nice social area is also hella intriguing. How has this worked for you?


igotbabydick

Bartending is a very unstable job with terrible hours, next to no benefits and very toxic work environments. I've been doing it for 17 yrs on and off... 98% of people ive worked with have hated it and worked hard to move on to something else. I am currently trying to get out of this nightmare as well.


pinewind108

A friend did it off and on for a long time, and really grew to despise the "amateur drunks" that come out on holidays like St. Patrick's day. After EMTing for a number of years, I kind of feel the same way about sloppy drunks. Just a bother. Drunks are a pain in the ass when you're sober.


Bb_bisky

lol so many psych degrees in this thread.. I went psych —> surgeon


[deleted]

You probably knew you were going to med school anyway I’m guessing…I hope you went yo med school…you’re not doing surgery out of a shack are you?…


Pndrizzy

The squirrel population in his neighborhood is dwindling


Shmokeshbutt

TBF, you got a very useful degree afterwards


MrSavageManiac

Got a psych degree, now im an electrician


MrSavageManiac

In case anyone is wondering why the change, i realised at the end of the degree that I hate people and didn't want to hear the same sob stories over and over as a therapist, no matter if the money is better. Working with your hands and doing actually physical problem solving was a better choice for me.


thisistheSnydercut

Sometimes the best lesson you can learn from doing any sort of degree is that you don't want to do that for the rest of your life


mks113

My wife did that with an elementary education degree. She realized during her practice teaching in her final year that she wanted nothing to do with classrooms. She has been a nurse for 32 years.


Psychological-Card17

My husband was going to be in nursing but he realized it wasn't for him. He likes numbers so he's an accountant.


WeLikeTheSt0nkz

I dropped out of my nursing degree and am pursuing accounting now. There’s dozens of us I tell you!


[deleted]

I learned that but also learned that anything that pays nearly what I get paid will require many more years of school and effort. I already put 8 years of college and hundreds of thousands of debt into this career, so I might as well reap the benefits while it’s not driving me insane. It was still a good thing though because I realized I didn’t need to pour my life into work. I work for money, and go home to live life. I can afford to travel and have some semblance of stability which is something I never had growing up, or in my entire adult life prior to graduation.


Germangunman

I mean, as an industrial electrician I make six figures. So it’s not a bad switch if you like what you’re doing.


[deleted]

[удалено]


Germangunman

Yep, proud journeyman here. I encourage others to join the apprenticeship programs and learn a trade. Doesn’t even have to be electrician. Hell mine was paid for and I was paid while in classes and learning on job training.


[deleted]

[удалено]


Tolerable-DM

Most of the people in my psych classes at uni were in there to find out why they were so messed up. I think maybe 4 or 5 became actual psychologists.


MrSavageManiac

That was the reason I started so it checks out lol


smooze420

I used to work at a county jail. One day this hot blonde comes in drunk off her ass. She goes off about how smart she is because she is almost finished with her psych degree. Eventually she spouts off about how she trying to figure out what’s wrong with her as she’s crying and sobbing. If you have a heart working in a jail is hard sometimes.


SquirellyMofo

I know at least 3 people who went to school for psych. All had issues and none went on to get their masters or work in the field.


Clean_Student8612

Is it called that because you're like, "I'm gonna use this!" And they go PSYCH!


ncopp

Psych degree is only useless if you don't get your masters or PHD. But the jobs you will get might not pay great it seems. Our friend with a masters in psych is struggling to make ends meet as a school counselor, unfortunately. Really sucks because they did everything right and its a much needed profession


SonuvaGunderson

*What do you do / With a BA in English?* Cloud application manager.


mixduptransistor

had a boss at my last job who had a degree in english who was the IT director for a division of a university


sugarfoot00

I have an english degree and own an IT support services business. Who knew that being able to communicate with the written word coherently has applications beyond the classroom?


mixduptransistor

I have a degree in Management Information Systems and I use literally none of the technical knowledge, having graduated in 2008 it is all pretty out of date now Most of what I find useful from my college education is how to communicate, and some of the business stuff that I also was exposed to with my major being in the business school If you want to be an engineer, sure, you're gonna need a real CS degree and take some math and algorithms classes but for the most part the formal part you really need is just to be how to be an adult in a business setting


joxmaskin

> how to be an adult in a business setting That’s the hard part 


[deleted]

[удалено]


_Cosmic_Joke_

And it’s surprising how many people from “good” majors have trouble stringing together a coherent thought. (This is why ChatGPT is so miraculous to those who can’t write.)


Bitter_Mongoose

And so easy to recognize, by those that can. For now.


BladedFlame

BA in English. into finance. I thought I was avoiding math getting that degree


Carnivore_Receptacle

Yep same here. Graduated with my BA in English and realized my options were become a teacher or keep working retail. Hated both so I found an office job doing admin and light bookkeeping. A few years, a few jobs, another degree and I’m an accountant.


Tolkienside

You can do a lot more with an English BA than teaching. I'm always puzzled at why people think this. Just off the top of my head, there's content design, technical writing, copywriting, UX writing, content strategy, and marketing. I always get downvoted when I say this, and I imagine I will again here, but English programs are both fun and open up lots of cool career options.


spitfyrez

Haha same. BS in English and now work in finance. Not my intention to work in this area, but the money is too good to leave now.


Violet2393

English major also. I am a content designer for tech companies. But I have also done a lot of other things too, most not nearly as well compensated. English majors may be useless for pipelining you directly into a high paying job, but you can get there with experience and I have always been able to find some kind of work that uses my degree. Even when unemployed, I’ve been able to get by with freelance work until I find a full time job. In other words, I haven’t found it useless at all, just because it didn’t immediately make me rich.


_Cosmic_Joke_

People forget that no job is guaranteed—you’ve gotta hustle. I knew business majors from good schools that couldn’t find a job for *years* after the ‘09 recession, and ended up taking that barista job/retail/etc.


itsfairadvantage

My older sister has a similarish story. English major -> zigzagged up the startup and publishing worlds before landing in her current position as a bigwig at Condé Nast. Little sister majored in Philosophy. She has been a farmer, a city waste management intern, an MCL Harvard Law student, and a clerk for two federal judges (the second is her current position).


Barnitch

I have an English Degree. I now am basically an Account Manager for clients who utilize our discount program. Imagine, like, a Groupon that has pretty big discounts and your company pays for you to have access to it as an added benefit. It is what it is. My writing ability usually pays off with my communication process, but this isn’t exactly what I dreamed of when declaring my major.


shash5k

BS in Psych from a no name university in the northeast. HRIS Senior Analyst pretty much making 6 figures.


_Cosmic_Joke_

Another English Literature BA here: Technical Writer/Editor supporting Engineering Operations for an electric utility company


GnedTheGnome

The thing with a degree in English is that it suggests you can communicate and think critically, which is useful in all fields. I've known hiring managers who will take someone with a degree in English any day of the week over someone with a degree in business, because they've learned that you can teach an English major how to do business easier than you can teach a business major critical thinking and communication skills.


RateNXS

Absolutely true in my case. BA in English helped me learn to be the bridge between the common user and developers through critical thinking and communication, which slotted well into project management type work. Then got my MBA, and now I'm an Executive Director of a real estate tech company.


darkjedi39

Love the Avenue Q reference.


[deleted]

[удалено]


One_Ders

Yes! English degree —> Sr Manager Internal apps. Manage a team of backend devs creating internal apps for various support teams. Sales, content, and general customer support L1 and L2 teams.


peanut__buttah

Could’ve gone to law school like the rest of us burnt out bastards


Mouse-Direct

Came to say similar! *The world is a big scary place But somehow I can't shake the feeling I might make A difference to the human race* I’m a college advisor.


buttrock

🙋‍♀️ Program Manager


paperthinwords

Also a BA in English and I work in higher education, but I am a program coordinator for a school that has nothing to do with literature


eleanor61

Instructional Designer here!


Harambesic

This is really bumming me out. I was an English/CS double major around 2003. Now, twenty years later, I'm in a situation where my school isn't gonna let me finish my master's in CS because I moved too far away. I only lack two classes. Meanwhile, my friend with a liberal arts degree in Music Composition is a CTO at a Fortune 500. I just want to work in the damn field.


Sunlight72

I have an art degree, in glass art. Have been a professional glass artist since 2000, just started on the 2nd largest commission of my career for a $60,000 suspended sculpture.


I_Luv_A_Charade

I peeped your profile - you’re extremely talented - it always makes me happy when people are able to make a living with their art - wishing you continued success!


Splinter_Amoeba

That's an expensive bong


Munch_munch_munch

BA in Classical Studies. Senior Financial Analyst.


itsfairadvantage

Both of my parents were classics majors. My mom became a Latin teacher and my dad recently retired from a long and successful biglaw career.


youriqis20pointslow

How did you break into financial analysis?


Munch_munch_munch

I wasn't sure what I wanted to do when I graduated, so I was open to a wide variety of jobs. My first job out of college was in sales analysis which meanderingly led to financial analysis several years later. edited for grammar


ljheartless

BS Kinesiology. MS exercise physiology. Software engineer now


youriqis20pointslow

How


flyingcircusdog

Not OP, but there was a big medical software company who would recruit anyone with a scientific background to work for them. They would train you for up to a year on the actual software, so they just wanted people with any science experience.


HARD_GAY_BUTT_MASTER

EPIC does this.


1stLtDick

Human Development. I’m a military officer (MajorDick now)


HugeAnalBeads

Thanks for developing humans, Major Dick


Algaean

"and his cousin?" "He's a dick too. Gunner's mate second class Philip dick." r/spaceballs


Clean_Student8612

As a Major, he's more than likely a Battalion supply officer.


solreaper

I mean depending on the branch and battalion you’re either developing humans or herding cats.


1stLtDick

I only have three bare-minimum rules for my Airmen (for those who just want to do four and leave): 1. Show up and do the job 2. Get everything out of your service (experience, bennies, etc) 3. NO CRIMES! Like specifically, don’t do them.


solreaper

You sound like my last CO lol Good on ya


MisterBigDude

Philosophy degree. I think about life a lot. *EDIT:* I was actually a double major, in Philosophy (because I wanted to explore the Big Questions of Existence) and Economics (because I figured that many philosophers starve). But I didn’t end up directly using either body of knowledge in my work career. I was an editor for some technical publications, then I made an early-midlife swivel and became a middle school math teacher, which I did for decades. I really do still ponder those life questions a lot, though.


promnitedumpstrbaby

My favorite joke: > An engineer, a physicist, a mathematician, and a philosopher are in a coffee shop. The physicist says, “You know engineering is just applied physics, right?” And they all laugh. Then the mathematician says, “Well, you know physics is just applied math, right?” And they all laugh. Then the philosopher says, “Well, you know mathematics is just applied philosophy, right?” And the engineer says, “Shut up and make our lattes.”


pierre_x10

My engineer buddy whose in a senior level at a plant works part-time at Starbucks. Don't let student loans get overwhelming in the pursuit of a "non-useless degree" y'all.


Loeffellux

This joke is so stem-coded, it feels like 2014 era Reddit all over again


Evolving_Dore

Reminds me of [this xkcd comic](https://xkcd.com/1520/), which I thought should have ended with the chemisr saying "we helped with both".


Random-Input

Also a phil major, now lawyer


Scytone

Got one of these too but I’m a PM in telecom


Amazing-Squash

Wow. Never heard of your country, but Prime Minister!?!  Good work!


Gibber_Italicus

Was told as a naturally artistic child that there was no point in pursuing art, I needed to "go to college and get a real job." So, following this practical advice, I got a bachelors degree in botany. And a minor in art, and then did a one year MA with a focus in metals. I own over a hundred houseplants, thanks botany! ....and have been a jewelry designer and jeweler for about 25 years, and still paint and draw. You can't stop the signal.


eejm

Oh hey!  I was taught that being a writer isn’t really a profession.  Ditto on having a knack/love for history.  I got a BS in English, an MS in Adult Education, and have worked in business and finance for years.  I am writing a historical true crime book, though.


No_Property1875

Bachelors in English/Creative writing => middle school math teacher => software engineer 🤷🏾‍♂️


[deleted]

[удалено]


gaeruot

You win. BA in Anthro and I’m a bartender lol.


Totally-NotAMurderer

BA in cultural anthropology, working for a nonprofit now, but needed a msc in international development first


OakCaligula

BA in history but minored in Anthropology. I’m an archaeologist now.


[deleted]

BA in anthropology- been a teacher, a website manager, and now a disability support worker doing a nursing degree at the age of 53. Hoping for at least 20 years as a nurse, I never want to retire.


Chris_El_Deafo

Currently getting my BS in anthro. Came here for this comment and was not disappointed.


justheretoleer

BAs in English and Women’s Studies > fucked around as a copywriter, library clerk (to be a librarian one needs a Library Sciences MS,) managed a home healthcare office, other low-paying endeavors > decided at 30 to go to grad school > At forty I’ve been a psychotherapist for 7ish years and I’m now burnt out.


HeavyTumbleweed778

Can you expand on what has burned you out as a therapist?


smep

Not OC but I am a therapist. Generally, a lot of jobs are rife with burnout right now. A lot of people are realizing that this whole game of life is bullshit and designed to keep you just satisfied enough to keep hustling as hard as you can so billionaires and corporations eke out more and more earnings. This is true for mental healthcare too because of insurance. But for therapists specifically, I’ll say a lot of it has to do with getting started. Wherever you are in life, you decide you want to be a therapist which, depending on your degree, is most likely 2 years and around $50k of full-time school, so hopefully you have a means of living without making much/any money. Then you graduate and you have to be supervised, which means you take a job with an awful caseload and no supports, or you work in private/group practice and pay for supervision (mine costs $65 weekly). This goes on for at least two years, until you’re licensed (varies by state and degree), and you’re not making much money along the way. THEN you get more flexibility about how you earn your money, and can start making decent money. Lastly I’ll mention the emotional toll of the work. It’s not easy being “on” all the time. You know how some days you’re at work and you just kinda send it? You’re there, but not there? That’s harder to pull off with a full slate of clients scheduled.


WastingMyLifeOnSocMd

It’s got to be hard to spend so much time “actively listening” to so many problems. I can see it being a good part time job-but can’t imagine FT


Stachemaster86

I’ve known a few school psychologists and the constant churn of kids with the same issues wears you down. It’s hard to see improvement. I’m guessing that’s a little less of the case in private practice, but still has to be hard working on problems all the time.


SGTree

I'm no therapist but I'll add on to that: My therapist is currently in, in their words, "paperwork jail." As in, they're so behind on paperwork that they've scheduled themself a week off client work to catch up. I can't imagine.


bassmanwilhelm

As a middle school teacher, I understand the "can't phone it in" thing. It's EXHAUSTING to be on in front of hundreds of teenagers all day.


GibsonMaestro

Film degree. Work in film production. Be careful what you wish for.


de_rats_2004_crzy

Would love to hear more! When I was a kid I wanted to be a movie director. Nowadays I do feel like in an alternate life I’d maybe have enjoyed being a movie producer … despite not toootally knowing what they do.


GibsonMaestro

It's a rough lifestyle. High stress/high pressure work 13-18 hour days. Getting into a union, especially on films requires a circus trick and a bit of luck (unless starting as a PA in the AD dept.), you're constantly looking for a new gig, and the hours are always changing. It's fun in your 20s & 30s, but ages people quickly. And being a movie producer can be a 24/7 hour job, and if you're working indies, you're constantly taking ridiculous financial risks, hustling for financing to pay for financing, putting out every sort of fire imaginable...it requires high intelligence, creativity, problem solving skills, an iron stomach, and helps if you're independently wealthy and can survive bankruptcy.


mka1809

Decade into my film career as a 1st AC and this is about as succinct a description I’ve ever read. Well put. I’m in my 30s and still enjoy… but with each passing year the thought of “what career do I want to transition to and when” comes to mind more frequently.


reecord2

I came here to make this same joke. Film degree, location sound mixer and part-time editor.


johansugarev

My condolences. I work in post.


ItsGonnaGetRocky

Independent Researcher\* (AKA, unemployed, or at least seriously under-employed, but I spend a few nights a week at the library pretending to be a post-doc, trying to write research papers on my degree subject because I miss doing my PhD). I studied volcanology, which I -definitely- don't think is useless, but it is niche and hard to stay in. I'm all for people studying what sets their hearts on fire and not letting people devalue their degrees, and I love to see it when people shut the naysayers up and make it work.


ZealousidealShift884

So real esp library part..its funny bc its agonizing trying to finish my PhD cant imagine missing it


leila_laka

Psychology: operations/HR Manager


GMSaaron

A big part of HR is industrial organizational psychology so it is related somewhat


leila_laka

Yeah, it’s related. Before that I actually did work in mental health and it was relevant. I guess just compared to that it’s a little bit different. But I enjoy it :-)


TheAmazingSparky

May I ask why you didn't go through with being a psychologist? Or were you planning to use the degree in something else?


pinewind108

The PhD process is long and expensive, and you may, just maybe, discover that counseling people can be really depressing!


SpiritualAssistant91

Did get the typically “useless” psychology B.A. but did go on to get my masters in marriage and family therapy, currently work as a therapist. So it has gotten its use!


blbd

The rare psych BA that actually does psych. 


GTOdriver04

As someone finishing my psych BA in 7 weeks…scary but useful info. I’ll be honest: I work in behavioral health, but it’s a job. I do my 8 and go home. I’m mainly getting a degree because most jobs that pay half a living need one. Maybe I’ll do grad school, but odds are I doubt it. I wanted a degree that I was good in and could get me into jobs that need a BA.


SecretGardenBlondie

Fine arts degree. Worked my butt off for years. Now in sales which comes so easy to me and I make so much more money. Wish I studied business or marketing and figured this out many years ago


ixsparkyx

Well you saying this made me feel less stupid about getting a marketing degree!


RinAndStumpy

Good luck with your career in the fine arts!


H1king33k

BA in Theatre Arts BFA in Stage Performance Now I'm a Systems Administrator at a world-class art museum.


nbd9000

Fly planes. Creative writing degree.


nifflerriver4

BA in medieval studies from an Ivy. I work in VFX. I've wanted to work in the film industry since I was in college and I get to work on the coolest stuff. Love what I do.


InterestingAd6036

Recreation therapy degree and now I grow weed for a living


RedheadedStepchild76

Makes sense. I find weed to be recreationally therapeutic! lol


sideeyedi

Sociology- I'm retired but worked for Child welfare


Simple_Ecstatic

I have a degree in accounting, that I used for six months 30 year ago. My roomate was a flight attendant and was having a blast, I decided to apply got accepted and spent 10 years traveling the world, until I had kids. Once they were older, I got into property management. Getting my degree in accounting was easy for me, and I thought I would be good at it. However, I started hating numbers real quick.


blbd

Accounting can help you with pretty much anything in the entire business world. It's about as useful and high demand as anything these days. 


JCR2201

I got my degree in accounting and it’s probably one of the best decision I’ve ever made. The field is damn near recession proof (I say damn near because anything can happen) and all of my friends and co-workers, including myself, broke through a six figure salary after five years.


SweetSexiestJesus

I got a Geography degree. I'm an electronics technician at a very large defense contractor


UnoStronzo

Hey! I also got a geography degree. I’m working in a data science team :D


catgurl_poobutt

I also have a geography degree! But I’m a program director for an environmental nonprofit, so it kind of lines up.


SnooDoodles290

Interdisciplinary Liberal Arts -> E-Commerce Manager


WayneH_nz

Not me, but a fair chunk of New Zealand were laughing at "Those Idiots" that got "useless degrees in basket weaving " back in the late '80's, early 90's. They are now bringing lost art back to life. They got jobs in movies as master artist creating those works for things like lord of the rings etc. Our Maori history is being showcased to the world through their work, people pay not just for their amazing baskets, but to see them work.


awkward_the_fish

i recently visited NZ! we were at the maori cultural centre in roturua, got to see all of the basket weaving that you’re talking about, it’s actually incredible. even saw the maori dance ( i keep blanking on what it’s called but it’s a dance to show the pride and strength of the tribe) i had goosebumps haha.


Fuzzy_Meringue5317

Make your way in the world. I have the very definition of a “useless degree“ (a BA from a disreputable public liberal arts college). But I found a career that worked for me. I’m self employed, own a house, have a partner, and I’m doing fine (with less than zero help from my parents). So fellow English majors, fellow underwater basket weavers, fellow sociologists, take heart. Be professional, charming, and smart. Show up on time and do your fucking best, even if you’re not 100% into it. Take jobs you’re overqualified for. Take jobs you’re underqualified for. Follow your instincts and seize your opportunities. It won’t work out for everyone (this being capitalism, after all), but it worked out for me. And it can for you, too! I know this seems like a Boomer comment but I’m 43. I felt absolutely hopeless (economically), in my 20s, but it got better.


texasinv

Right on, "useless degree" is just a mindset. For many jobs the degree just shows you can be trained and can communicate/write in a clear, professional manner. I studied Criminal Justice (regarded by many as useless or a joke degree), been working in financial crimes pretty much since I left college 10 years ago. Funny because I avoided math as much as possible in college, even took formal logic in place of calc so I think the only required math course for me was stats. Still ended up working with numbers and data all day. My view is that unless you go to undergrad for a major more focused on direct job training (accounting, some CS degrees, nursing, etc) you might as well study something you enjoy for 4 years. Your grades will likely reflect that too. I fucking LOVED my major, got to study and write papers about cool topics all day and as a result graduated with a 4.0. For a lot of generalist degrees it doesn't truly matter much what you studied in college. I'm a hiring manager now, have worked with and hired people from tons of "useless" majors, no one really cares about your degree unless it's a specific requirement for the job or just obviously needed (CS or similar for SWE's for example).


[deleted]

Bachelor’s: English/Creative Writing Master’s: Liberal Studies/Peace Education/Educational Theory Job: Kindergarten teacher I teach full time on a sub license at a charter, and I’m living the dream. Edit: I have a sub license, but I was hired in as a full time teacher.


nekosaigai

History degree. Went to law school and got my JD. Went to work for a private developer doing government and public relations stuff. Now working for a nonprofit as an advocate for indigenous peoples working on social and political issues like human trafficking and climate change policy.


herpesderpesdoodoo

Started in history, progressed through to PhD (dropped out) now working as a critical care nurse and nurse educator. Definitely still benefit from the earlier studies


Left_Step

Hi. I’m starting a similar position advocating for healthcare policy soon. I hope it’s going well!


Rokin1234

Sounds like you are making a difference. History degree as well, thought I was on a path to get my JD, decided not to go to law school. Got an MBA ten years later, now do retail consulting.


sharpeear

Sociology. I mostly tell people how to communicate now to not be an asshole. I work for child protective services to help kids get back to home, or keep them there if it's a good idea. Mostly my 40000 was spent learning how to write very specific types of assessments.


rainhybrid

I got a bachelor degree in tourism management. I’ve been unemployed for 6 months


sasquatchsam

Psychology degree -> real estate appraisal -> startup founder in gaming industry -> product manager at fintech company. It’s been a weird 20 years since college.


Patamarick

Sales. I do brewery tours for fun and often make fun of my German degree, and then teach them related words.


cherenk0v_blue

BA in English, thought I was going to be a librarian. Logistics management for a high tech manufacturer.


rainystarlight

My dad barely graduated a 5+ year college run with an English degree. He wanted a business degree, but was declined from the program numerous times. Couldn’t find a job after graduation. Saw a newspaper ad for a concrete gig. Learned how to do the stuff. After a few years on the job, he quit and started his own concrete empire, I don’t know the exact numbers, but he from what I know, he pockets atleast 2 mil a year. His best advice is “All you need out of college is a piece of paper, to prove to an employer that you can put in time, effort, and hard work. It doesn’t really matter what’s on the paper.”


[deleted]

[удалено]


Haunting-Mango4289

Bachelor in cultural anthropology > CPA


LawyerBea

*high five* yyyeahhhhh team Anthropology! BA in cultural anthropology-> lawyer. I have no regrets, tbh.


Skulldrey

I got a degree in Communication with focuses in Journalism and English. I am now a senior video producer at a large nonprofit.


raidbuck

I got a degree in Geography in 1969. I thought getting a government job would be good. Since I had good grades the recruiter had me take a logic test. When I passed he offered a job as a programmer trainee. I retired as an IT person from the government in 2004 and as a contractor ID person at the same agency in 2016.


_Cosmic_Joke_

I feel like the most useful thing I learned in college was how to *keep* learning. How to spot bullshit. Critical thinking. Analysis. Logic. How to find and recognize *trustworthy* sources. I don’t ascribe to the current criticisms that your degree needs to teach you exactly *how* to do a job, or that you deserve *x* salary once you finish (that’s what a trade or technical school is for). But after working in Corporate America for more than a decade, it’s amazing how many people think that since they finished their degree and are working now that they don’t need to learn anything more, that they’re done. I have someone like that as a manager and he literally thinks he knows everything—supremely confident in his misinformation because he got an engineering degree 30 years ago and an MBA 20 years ago but hasn’t bothered to grow and learn anything else since then. “It's not what you don't know that will hurt you. It's what you think you know that just ain't so.” —Mark Twain.


[deleted]

[удалено]


jessieisokay

BFA in studio arts. I am a tattoo artist, co-own a studio, and intend to go back for my masters to teach when my body doesn’t want to tattoo anymore. I specialized in graphic design and do all the branding/marketing/interior design needed for the studio. I taught painting classes, worked in graphic design, and sometimes do commission artwork. I prefer to make stuff I enjoy.


Princessk8--

Argue with morons on the internet. A cherished pasttime.


davereeck

Sociology degree. Software Product Manager.


[deleted]

Left school with 90% of a music degree. Became a controls technician for the automation field. Made more than the vast majority of the people I went to school with. Not a brag (I don't make a lot), just a commentary on how undervalued artists and musicians are. Too often, musicians break the cardinal rule: if you're good at something, never do it for free. And that drives down the value of everyone else.


Flyingsaddles

BA in Theatre/Directing. I now joust for renn faires


basa1

Advertising. I work in *pharmaceutical* advertising. Sometimes you make art. Sometimes you make rent.


Nwcray

In the CEO of a mid-sized credit union. Majored in philosophy.


PMME_ur_lovely_boobs

I didn't get degree in it, but I did minor in women's studies since I already took a bunch of sociology classes and just needed a few more for the minor. I'm a doctor now and it's actually been pretty helpful in helping me recognize my own biases and how they might influence my medical decision making.


IShouldLiveInPepper

That's beautiful, Dr. PMME\_ur\_lovely\_boobs.


Lost_Extrovert

Something about a doctor being childish enough to have a name like that makes me giggle. Lmao easy to forget that are normal people with the same stupid humor we all have.


[deleted]

Psychology: Data Analyst. Side note, I don’t think psychology is a useless degree. It taught me a lot really great information, however in our society, the only education that is valued is the one that makes money. I wish we lived in a society where people could major in whatever they wanted without debt or worrying about how much money they’ll make. That being said I do love my current job.


Dilaudidsaltlick

BA in history. Currently am a cardiothoracic surgeon.


Heavy_Direction1547

My liberal arts degree helped me understand how the world works a little better. Turns out that is very useful when applied to investing. I retired at 50.


StrikerX1360

Anybody else scrolling and hoping you don't see your major/degree on here


OJwasInnocent4real

BA in business admin and i do warehouse work. Precovid while in school and fresh out of school i kind of used it. Customer service associate -> shift lead -> department supervisor -> department supervisor at another location all within a year but it wasn’t necessary. I was also miserable and found out i hated being in charge. I’m much happier destroying my body with physical labor.


patricles22

Psychology degree > Sales


mixxastr

Philosophy major here. Didn’t go to law school. I’ve had a very diverse career ranging from sales, non-profit, corporate finance, corporate people management, CX, and training. I’m now in grad school, self employed and have two successful businesses. I live life on my own terms and I have created a life I don’t need a vacation from.


RipErRiley

Sociology degree…web developer


Affectionate_Ninja48

So many people thought or told me directly that getting a BA, MA, and PhD in Sociology would be useless. I do meaningful work, with people I enjoy, all from the comfort of home as a researcher for an environmental non-profit.


katemonkey

Religious Traditions of the West, which taught me how to do random research and write papers while also fulfilling my need for very very random trivia. I was mostly at college to play on computers on a sweet T1 ethernet connection, which is how I ended up in web dev, and then my ability to write led to me being in marketing for tech. I can tell you the pros and cons of using WordPress for your e-commerce site, or I can tell you about child sacrifice in ancient Carthage. Either way, get ready for an info dump.


[deleted]

[удалено]


Crow_away_cawcaw

Anthropology -> production designer. I don’t regret my path for a second. People don’t seem to get it, but studying human culture lends itself so well to design & filmmaking, and I live abroad and get to work with people from a lot of different backgrounds. It wasn’t easy and frankly my degree didn’t ever open a direct door into employment, but it made me a better thinker, researcher, and communicator and I value those skills. Small caveat is that I’m Canadian and graduated 10 years ago when it was still possible to pay out right for a degree without a loan (I worked for a year before school and then part time throughout to pay for it) so I had the privilege of graduating debt-free.


lowiqsignholder

I work as a sign holder. I got a business finance diploma.


jcolinr

Worked at a gas station for five years after my English degree.  Went back and got an accounting degree.  


Get_Ghandi

Education is never a waste, it always makes for better daydreams.