10 worst majors for your career

I think it's important to look at your vocational calling in life rather than how much money you want to make.  You will be much more satisfied with your job, your life, everything, if you're working in a field that fulfills you spiritually and intellectually.  I have a degree in Religion and Philosophy and I have a Masters of Divinity as well.  I've been working for 12 years in my field of ministry now and am making around $47,000 a year.  I will never get rich doing what I do, but I make ends meet AND I love going to work every day.  I feel like I'm making a difference in the world and I'm doing what God created me to do. 

I have many friends who chose careers based solely on the possible salary upon graduation and they have floundered and struggled ever since because they hate their jobs and feel like their lives have no meaning.  Money is important, but it's not even close to being everything!

My dad was right; Develop a skill that people need and you will always have a job. Liberal arts and social studies are very self-fulfilling, but do not manufacture or repair anything.

Skill sets are what get you employed, not knowledge.

As an English and Professional Writing dual major, I can attest to the desperate need at companies for people who can actually communicate well in person, on the phone, or on paper. It's astounding how many job offers I've received just because I can write an e-mail and sound half intelligent. I will also argue that my majors enhanced my skills of laying out an argument and communicating new ideas.

Having said that, I graduated high school in 2004. College was not an option, it was a requirement for a job. On my way out of high school, I was encouraged on all sides to study what I love - if you were truly passionate about it and studied hard, a job would be no problem. In college, hardly anyone gave much thought to what they would do after graduation. The focus was on grades, papers, socializing, etc. What high schools and colleges need to step up and do is implement vigorous internship programs. Coming out of college is like trying to get a mortgage with no credit - everyone wants 2-4 years experience to start out, even for a secretary job.

I chose a state school due to lower cost and hunkered down, graduating summa cum laude. Still, finding a job was daunting and nigh impossible (I ended up painting the inside of my high school for 4 months until I landed my first full-time gig as a copy editor at a newspaper - $22K a year for 60 hour work weeks, and 1 week of vacation after a full year of employment). I've since moved to a larger city and am establishing myself quite well. I feel that I am now on the right track, but worry about the future (house? marriage? kids? we'll see...). I graduated high school only 8 years ago, and college 4, but sadly this discussion on student loans and relevant majors didn't take hold until quite recently, and those of us who are "recent" college graduates are looked down upon for taking such "wasteful" courses.

High schools need to get kids focused on what they are talented at and, yes, what they enjoy doing (you can make money and still like your job). The high school should then be aiding the kids on making a field choice for a career, and offering suggestions based on that for schools, employment opportunities in prospective areas, etc. Colleges should then emphasize internships to a much larger degree - free work for companies, great experience for students.

Tell the writer at Kipplinger to find a new career.  It's up to the individual to make something of themself.  They should not be defined by their degree.  As it is, higher education is now out of reach for many due to colleges not reigning in their administrative costs and other expenses like pensions.  It's a big racket.  In my last year of college 30 plus years ago it cost me $7,500 for the year.  Now it cost $50,000 a year and the college has the gaul to hit me up for donations.  The heck with that.