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Useless Degree #1 - AgricultureNumber of Students Awarded Degree in 2008-2009: 24,988Typical coursework: Crops, plant diseases, animal husbandry, basic veterinary scienceWhen schools such as the University of Idaho cut their agriculture programs, you know times are tough for this degree. The state has more than 25,000 farms, for cow's sake, according to the most recent U.S. Department of Agriculture census, in 2007.Still, if your idea of a good day is getting up with the sun and working till it sets as an agricultural manager, a degree in agriculture might be your calling.Just don't expect farms and ranches to be calling you, says Laurence Shatkin, Ph.D., and author of "The 10 Best College Majors for Your Personality." "It's true that farms are becoming more efficient now and so there is less of a need for farm managers," he says. That means less jobs. In fact, the U.S. Department of Labor projects 64,000 fewer jobs in this field over the next seven years.Total Number of Agricultural Managers in 2008: 1,234,000Projected Change in Number of Jobs 2008-2018: -64,600Percent Change: -5Still Want To Go Back To School? Find the Right Program Now!What Do You Want to Study? Choose a Program Useless Degree #2 - Fashion DesignNumber of Students Awarded Degree in 2008-2009: 89,140Typical coursework: Fashion history, sewing, tailoring, color, design, pattern makingThe world of high fashion is glamorous, exciting, and, unfortunately, highly exclusive and competitive."Fashion never dies out, never ends, and even though everything gets made overseas now, there's always a need for designers. But it's incredibly competitive. It's one you really have to establish yourself in," Shatkin says.And those glamour positions are expected to be the ones with the fewest opportunities among an already small field, says the U.S. Department of Labor. Because it's so tough, Shatkin suggests that getting a practical minor with this degree is very smart.Still Think Fashion is for You? Click to Find Fashion Design Programs.Total Number of Fashion Designers in 2008: 22,700Projected Change in Number of Jobs 2008-2018: +200Percent Change: +1Useless Degree #3 - TheaterNumber of Students Awarded Degree in 2008-2009: 89,140Typical coursework: Theater, acting, directing, design, playwriting, communications, dramatic literatureHere's the good news: Sign up for theater as a major and at least you'll be really good at acting like you have a job.Here's the bad news: Actors endure long periods of unemployment and frequent rejection, says the U.S. Department of Labor. The Department goes on to say that because earnings are erratic for actors, producers, and directors, many hold second jobs. In other words, how do you feel about waiting tables?Of course, says Shatkin, "People go into this with such a love for it you can't stop them."Total Number of Actors/Producers/Directors in 2008: 155,100Projected Change in Number of Jobs 2008-2018: +16,900Percent Change: +11Useless Degree #4 - Animal ScienceNumber of Students Awarded Degree in 2008-2009: 80,756Typical coursework: Animal breeding, reproductive physiology, nutrition, meat and muscle biologyHere's another degree aimed at a career that at first glance doesn't look all that discouraging. After all, animal scientist employment is projected by the U.S. Department of Labor to grow 13 percent from 2008 to 2018.But crunch a few more numbers and you quickly realize that you could be in for stiff competition to grab a piece of that pie. Fewer than 5,000 animal scientist jobs are projected to exist in the field by 2018.The problem, says Shatkin, is the degree is so specific that trying to apply it to anything else means a tough time convincing people it gives you any useful skills for jobs outside animal science jobs.Total Number of Animal Scientists in 2008: 3,700Projected Change in Number of Jobs 2008-2018: +500Percent Change: +13Useless Degree #5 - HorticultureNumber of Students Awarded Degree in 2008-2009: 24,988Typical coursework: Crops, plant diseases, agricultural business and economics, crop and fruit scienceIf you like the farm life but aren't all that keen on all the whining and clucking of an animal farm, perhaps a degree in horticulture is growing on you.Unfortunately, the number of jobs in the field itself is not growing, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. And Shatkin agrees. "Better than agriculture, but not by much. If you're lucky, you may find some way to apply that to a related business like food processing or production," he says.Total Number of Farmers and Ranchers in 2008: 985,900Projected Change in Number of Jobs 2008-2018: -79,200Percent Change: -8
I just hope history degrees are still worth the big bucks by the time I graduate.
so this linked a bunch on facebook.
Quote from: WillieWatanabe on January 22, 2012, 04:12:00 PMso this linked a bunch on facebook. Anyone switching majors yet?
"Son. This is why we are wildcats. Hard work, pride, the heart of this country. And if that's not enough for you, you can just move to California with your punk friends."
Weird. Theater, general ag, and fashion I understand. But I know a few horticulture majors and they got jobs in cool places like miami and seattle
Quote from: AbeFroman on January 22, 2012, 09:28:58 PMWeird. Theater, general ag, and fashion I understand. But I know a few horticulture majors and they got jobs in cool places like miami and seattleGeneral ag is great for dudes who want to go back and run their families farms, which is most who take it. I'm sure it helps when getting managerial positions at Feedlots, Etc.
