Feeling like my college degree was a waste of time.
Maegan, Nike Sales Rep & Career Coach
Helping you know your value to get your next job
1.77k
01/10/24 at 1:50PM UTC
Agree, however alot of positions still require a college degree so even if you aren't using what you learned, it is a big qualification some companies are looking for so at least its good for something?! :)
Anonymous
12/04/23 at 4:21PM UTC
I majored in agriculture and now I am in leadership at a tourism management company, prior to that I worked in marketing at a movie studio. I never thought it was a waste of time, I learned a lot and also learned how to apply what I learned in agriculture to any career. Like Lean In, a career is a jungle gym and not a linear ladder.
Anonymous
12/04/23 at 1:38PM UTC
I get this. I got degrees in music with the intention of being a college professor. By the time I was almost done with my doctorate the job market had fallen out from under me. Colleges are now talking full professors into early retirement and mostly using adjuncts in a lot of positions. I work in a completely unrelated field that I could have done starting right out of high school with no degree (I started in a call center that needed no skills at all except being able to type a little).
I had 38k in loans for nothing. And I often regret my decision on what to major in, even if I look back on those years and the knowledge I gained and feel like it was a great time.
Audrey Kirsch
2.54k
12/04/23 at 12:08AM UTC
It’s only a waste if you have a specialized degree and you’re not working in that field. A lot of skills you used to get that degree are useful in any position. You exhibited a consistent work ethic, research capabilities, an ability to complete projects on time, learn new things and how to follow instructions. You had the job of being a student and you succeeded.
Michelle Stewart
99
12/04/23 at 12:02AM UTC
Same - I'm glad I went and I enjoyed what I studies, but at this point a college degree is nothing more than what a high school diploma was in the 90's. I don't do anything that is actually within my degree and can't unless I decide to pursue a higher level degree and put myself further in debt. My job requires a degree, but honestly, there is nothing about it that should require a degree. It's just to look good. I think we have come to a point where we are over-valuing a piece of paper and under-valuing experience, knowledge, teachability, etc.
Anonymous
12/03/23 at 11:24PM UTC
College isn't vo-tech except for a few fields, like K-12 teaching or nursing.
Elizabeth Stiles WestEnglish teacher, debate coach, and exam proctor
9.8k
12/03/23 at 9:34PM UTC
It opens a lot of doors, even if you don't get work in what you majored in; just having the degree broadens the number of jobs you can apply to. What was your major and what type of position are you trying to get? If you're a recent graduate, talk to someone in the career services department of your college for help with finding a suitable position. Heck, even if you graduated decades ago, it wouldn't hurt to contact them for help. It's definitely frustrating to feel that way, but unless you have a time machine, you can't go back and undo the situation, so try to make the best of it. If you happened to be in a sorority or other campus club, it wouldn't hurt to contact your college friends to see if they can help as well.
