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I think they changed their methodology because there are major changes from last year's list. Economics, biology, and theater arts/drama are no longer in the top 10. One problem that I have is that they asked if the person felt underpaid. I don't think that's really relevant unless you're comparing salary to the cost of the degree to calculate return on investment. You either need a degree or you don't for the position you have. Feeling underpaid is subjective. They did also ask if the person is working part-time but wants to work full-time and if they're using their education/training.
However, I truly do believe that criminal justice majors have a high underemployment rate. People like to argue with me on this, but criminal justice majors tend to be underemployed because they take jobs that don't require a bachelor's degree: police, corrections, security, etc. Honestly, they don't qualify for much else. Even among the 100 largest cities and 100 largest police departments (these lists are different), only 4-16% of them require a bachelor's degree. Overall, only 1% of police departments require a bachelor's degree. These numbers don't include federal law enforcement agencies; but, even then, most of them do not require a criminal justice degree. In some cases, having a criminal justice degree can hurt your chances of getting a job in a federal law enforcement agency.
Last year, business management/administration was #1 and criminal justice and theater arts/drama were #2.
Most Underemployed Majors
Criminal Justice
Business Management & Administration
Health Care Administration
General Studies
Sociology
English Language & Literature
Graphic Design
Liberal Arts
Education
Psychology
Least Underemployed Majors
Civil & Environmental Engineering
Aerospace Engineering
Computer Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Law (??? this list is supposed to be undergraduate majors only)
Physics
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Geology
Mathematics
sounds about right. education to better oneself is great but education in a generic field like "graphic design" which is one I hear mentioned often is an expensive investment. One should know which fields have job shortages and good pay before they start....
Business is like law in that if you're not going to one of the top elite schools don't even bother
This is true if you are extremely narrow minded and think in linear terms only.
The problem with these rankings - like most rankings - is that they assume a major is the only thing that correlates with employment. Of course there are an infinite number of factors that go into how "employable" a person is like soft skills, experience, intelligence, drive, etc. etc. A graphic design major with internship experience at Ogilvy will have employers beating down her door. Likewise, an awkward gelology major with no experience will have a tough time in the job market.
Business is like law in that if you're not going to one of the top elite schools don't even bother
That list said "business management and administration" - which is just one of many business majors. You don't have to go to Penn to earn a finance or accounting degree to have a good job.
I think they changed their methodology because there are major changes from last year's list. Economics, biology, and theater arts/drama are no longer in the top 10. One problem that I have is that they asked if the person felt underpaid. I don't think that's really relevant unless you're comparing salary to the cost of the degree to calculate return on investment. You either need a degree or you don't for the position you have. Feeling underpaid is subjective. They did also ask if the person is working part-time but wants to work full-time and if they're using their education/training.
No, I think it's quite relevant. I suggests that some people go into these fields knowing what to expect salary wise from an entry level position, and are okay with the outcome. It was a conscious decision. They perceive they are being paid around what everyone else who does that job gets paid. So there really isn't a problem there at all, just for people who want to make point about how useless someone else's major/life choices are. LOL
It's the people who major in something expecting to do X kind of job with Y salary upon graduation, and then find that they have to settle for less than what they expected (or feel they deserve), that are more relevant to the discussion of who is actually "underemployed" IMO.
In the underemployed list, "liberal arts" takes in a lot, basically all the "subject" majors, from English to science. In fact, Sociology, English Language and literature, and psychology fall under liberal arts. IME, an undergrad business degree is considered "fluff". That's what the football players at my university majored in. I believe Health Care Admin is generally a master's level program as well. An undergrad degree in HCA may not mean much to an employer.
My major is too niche to be on any of these lists. Just wingin' it.
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