She Strengthens

Rethinking the Value of a College Degree: Turning “Worthless” Majors into Valuable Skills

Many of us were led to believe that a college degree was the key to unlocking a successful career. However, for numerous post-grads, the reality has been quite different. Despite the staggering 43.3 million Americans burdened with student loan debt, many young adults look back on their college experience with a sense of regret.

The Harsh Reality of “Worthless” Majors

Personally, I know the feeling of graduating with confusion and uncertainty. As a theater major, I felt unprepared to market myself as an actor, let alone in any other field. However, I soon discovered that my degree had equipped me with valuable skills, such as public speaking, problem-solving, and time management. These skills have served me well in my adult life, even if I’m not on Broadway.

We spoke with six post-grads who initially felt that their college degrees were “worthless” in terms of securing a job or achieving financial stability. Their majors ranged from art to music to European studies, and even included a former collegiate athlete. Despite their initial doubts, they’ve found ways to turn their seemingly “useless” degrees into valuable assets.

Turning “Worthless” Degrees into Valuable Skills

Sofia, a visual art major, realized that her artistic abilities could be applied to graphic design, a more lucrative and in-demand field. She took courses in graphic design after graduating and now uses her skills to design digital content.

Brad, a music major, initially felt limited by the traditional career paths of teaching or performing. However, he discovered that his music degree had equipped him with valuable skills in customer service, and he’s now exploring alternative career paths within the music industry.

Summer, who majored in European Studies, felt that her degree lacked focus and direction. However, she’s now working remotely for a travel company, using her knowledge of European cultures to create high-end travel programs.

Michael, a former collegiate athlete, had to reevaluate his career goals after a knee injury ended his football career. He now works as an assistant coach and hopes to become a sports therapist in the future.

Kendra, a theater major, realized that her degree wasn’t as valuable as she thought, but she still learned valuable skills through her experiences in the creative industry. She’s now using those skills in her everyday life.

Jackie, an anthropology major, had grand ideas about traveling the world and publishing books. However, after struggling to find a job, she settled for a role as a tour guide at an outdoor living museum. She’s now making the most of her job by adding her own research and insights to her tours.

Emily, an English major, initially struggled to find a career path that aligned with her degree. She worked as a copyeditor before finding her way into the publishing industry, where she feels more connected to her roots.

Redemption and Rebirth

These post-grads have shown that even the most seemingly “worthless” degrees can be turned into valuable assets with determination and creativity. By recognizing the skills they developed during their college years, they’ve been able to adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing job market.

Their stories serve as a reminder that a college degree is not the only determinant of success. It’s up to each individual to take ownership of their education and turn it into something valuable.