I feel like the answer is a big fat NO. But seriously, I can’t accept the fact that I spent four years on a degree that feels totally useless.
I got a philosophy degree, and now I’m scared it’s not only useless but could actually be a problem. Like, I could have been working all that time, saving up some money. Instead, here I am with nothing but this degree and no job prospects.
The biggest issue? I’m pretty sure employers see my degree and just toss my resume. There’s this huge stigma against humanities majors, and honestly, it’s not completely wrong.
I’m done pretending this degree is valuable. I hear all these humanities folks talking about ‘critical thinking’ and ‘transferable skills.’ Honestly, it’s all nonsense. Every degree requires critical thinking and problem-solving. And those ‘transferable skills’… they just transfer you between low-paying jobs.
I don’t even know why I’m ranting. Am I looking for someone to change my mind? Or maybe just warning others against studying what I did? Not sure.
I read something a while ago saying that people with humanities degrees end up in 8 of the 10 fastest-growing job sectors more often than STEM grads. It was a British study from 2020. In Switzerland, unemployment for humanities grads is around 2.2%, so it seems to depend on where you are.
@Unber
I appreciate the stats. I agree that it’s better to talk with numbers rather than personal stories. But I think it really depends on the country. For example, in Europe, you can’t just go into law school with a humanities degree like in the US. It’s a different system, and that limits your options. I’m from Estonia, and the data here shows that humanities degrees don’t really pay off compared to others.
Yeah, exactly. If you want to study law, you need to have studied law from the start. But it’s easier to switch into humanities from other fields. Humanities are like the bottom of the ladder — easy to fall into but hard to climb out of. That’s just how it works in Europe.
@EducatorEthan
I get what you’re saying, but just because you can’t jump from one field to another doesn’t make the degree worthless. You wouldn’t expect an engineering major to do a master’s in history either.
@KnowledgeExpert1
You’re totally right. My bad for phrasing it so strongly. It’s not that you can’t ever switch between fields, it’s more that humanities degrees don’t give you many options outside of their own field. And honestly, STEM people can switch into humanities easier than the other way around.
It can be hard, but don’t lose hope! Skills from humanities can be valuable in certain roles. Keep at it, you’ll find something that values your unique skills.
Silas said:
It can be hard, but don’t lose hope! Skills from humanities can be valuable in certain roles. Keep at it, you’ll find something that values your unique skills.
Thanks! I appreciate the encouragement. I’ll keep trying.
LAUREE said:
Just having a degree puts you in a better place than most. You can start in entry-level positions and work your way up to management.
In my country, a lot of people have degrees. It doesn’t really elevate you to some higher social class just by having one. Half the population could be considered part of the managerial class if that were the case.
What kinds of jobs are you applying for? A philosophy major could be a better fit for communication-related roles than a STEM grad. (Not saying STEM people can’t write, but I’ve seen some engineers’ papers, and let’s just say they weren’t exactly readable.)
@Liam
I get what you’re saying. Writing quality can vary between majors, but I’m not sure it’s enough to make a real difference when hiring. STEM graduates might be a safer bet because, if they don’t work out in a writing role, they can be moved elsewhere. Humanities grads don’t have that flexibility.
I’ve been applying for all kinds of jobs — marketing, HR, data entry — but I keep getting rejected.
@EducatorEthan
It’s tough out there for everyone, honestly. But I don’t think STEM grads get off that easy if they mess up. Plus, are you tailoring your resume for each job? Sending out generic applications might be part of the issue.
Harsh truth: companies care about one thing — what value you bring. Experience usually trumps education, except in fields like engineering or law where degrees are essential. If you can show you can make a company money, they’ll want you, regardless of your degree.
