Colleges with Seemingly 'Useless' Degrees

I've been hearing a lot of chatter about some degrees being 'useless.' What's up with that? And which colleges are known to offer these 'useless' degrees?

While some degrees, typically those in arts and humanities, are often labelled as 'useless', it's critical to keep in mind that the utility of a degree is largely subjective and depends on what an individual hopes to achieve in their career.

Many people, particularly those in STEM fields, associate the value of a degree with its direct applicability to high-growth, high-wage job fields. In this sense, a degree in Data Science might seem more 'useful' than a degree in Art History. However, what is often overlooked is that each degree equips students with a unique set of skills that can be broadly applied to various fields. A degree in Art History may not lead to a high-paying job right out of college, but it can foster critical thinking, global awareness, and research skills that may be highly prized by employers in, for example, museum and gallery administration, education, publishing, or even sectors like law and advertising.

Moreover, the idea of a 'useless' degree is often associated with degrees that aren't in high demand in the job market. However, this can change over time as different sectors rise and fall. As a result, it is crucial not to judge the value of a degree solely based on current job-market trends.

The usefulness of a degree also greatly depends on how it is leveraged. For instance, some schools may offer unique programs that integrate seemingly unrelated subjects to create more 'useful' learning experiences. For example, Stanford has a program known as Symbolic Systems that marries disciplines like Linguistics, Philosophy, Computer Science, and Psychology to study human and computational systems.

In conclusion, the idea that there are colleges known for offering 'useless' degrees is a bit misleading. Every degree provides value and potential for growth; what differs is how that potential aligns with labor market trends and individual career goals. Ensure to align your degree choice with your personal interests and career aspirations rather than trying to chase what's currently in demand. Education is an investment so pick a degree that is personal to you and apply the learning to achieve your career objectives.