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I'm working on an engineering degree from the #1 ranked program in the world for the field I'm in. Many people from this program who have recently graduated currently are having difficulty finding a job. It isn't major specific, rather it is a systemic problem with the economy in this country. Even recently graduated engineers with doctorates from this program that also have undergraduate MIT engineering degrees are having a hard time getting a job.
Because companies can hire a PhD from India for a mere $35K per year (USD).
Software engineering started to get offshored back in the mid 90's with customer support, fixes.
Now they design, code, test and do project management for US companies.
Just look at the R&D labs in China and India.
Brazil and Philippines have caught up too and Vietnam is the next low cost country.
I'm a new retired software engineer and have watched this happen over the past 20+ years.
My position shipped over to India when I retired.
One of my nieces graduated with a degree in "Woman's Studies".
She's a receptionist at a day care center.
A private 4 year out of state college on loans cost her near $80K.
A degree is what you make it. People that hustle, do internships, build relationships, and are passionate about their field of study will be okay. I know plenty of people with "practical" degrees in areas they didn't care about that trudged their way through school and didn't really get much out of it.
Here we go again. I am an English major. First of all, it was for my UNDERGRAD...a lot of people in Liberal Arts don't plan on just stopping at undergrad (they go on to professional schools, go into teaching, etc.) I have never been unemployed since graduating with my degree in 2005. I was able to obtain an entry-level auditor position out of college and turned that into going for my Masters in Accounting and subsequent CPA license. I now have a well paying, enjoyable position in forensic accounting. I would not have gotten my first job without my B.A. in English Lit. People forget that undergrad study is often the entry point to their professional education (graduate school, professional school, certification) and that study is a lifelong process. In that context, undergraduate major is not that important. Second, college is not meant to be a vocational school...fine, if you want 4 years and out go for the engineering degree. But if you are even somewhat interested in the arts, or don't want to follow that rather unoriginal path, then think outside the box a little. Third, if you define yourself solely by your college major you are a bit myopic.
Also if you are taking on ten thousands of dollars in loans (and weren't able to get scholarships and/or family help) maybe that's a clue that college is not for you. It is somewhat designed to be a barrier to entry.
Thanks for the link. I change my mind now that Obama told me there's no shortage.
You apparently didn't read the link, since the article was directed AT Obama.
There is definitely NOT an engineering shortage. There are tons of students each year graduating with engineering jobs. They have solid job prospects compared to much of the economy, but engineering is a young man's game primarily, so that's why.
Some of these majors are 'useless' in a practical sense, some of them just aren't very lucrative but still offer jobs. I wouldn't get a degree in any of these personally, but I wouldn't hold anything against someone that did.
Here we go again. I am an English major. First of all, it was for my UNDERGRAD...a lot of people in Liberal Arts don't plan on just stopping at undergrad (they go on to professional schools, go into teaching, etc.) I have never been unemployed since graduating with my degree in 2005. I was able to obtain an entry-level auditor position out of college and turned that into going for my Masters in Accounting and subsequent CPA license. I now have a well paying, enjoyable position in forensic accounting. I would not have gotten my first job without my B.A. in English Lit. People forget that undergrad study is often the entry point to their professional education (graduate school, professional school, certification) and that study is a lifelong process. In that context, undergraduate major is not that important. Second, college is not meant to be a vocational school...fine if you want 4 years and out go for the engineering degree. But if you are even somewhat interested in the arts, or don't want to follow that rather unoriginal path, then think outside the box a little. Third, if you define yourself solely by your college major you are a bit myopic.
+1
Yeah, you only get one crack at life, some people would rather do something fulfilling than pursue careers solely based on salary.
Yeah, you only get one crack at life, some people would rather do something fulfilling than pursue careers solely based on salary.
This is what my folks taught me. And they are both highly successful people with undergraduate educations in Liberal Arts; both have enjoyed professional success in different fields (Law and Academia).
According to the stats, it's a useless venture except for the very select few that land a good job at one of the fashion houses you mention. The rest? They get to wallow in their debt in their parent's basement and behind the counter at 7-11.
They do make well-dressed baristas, though.
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