15 Worst College Majors for Today’s Job Market
College diploma and money | Thinkstock
While a degree is still an advantage in today’s job market, the right major can make the difference between being happily employed and woefully underemployed. Some majors are clearly failing. Millions of Americans are underemployed, according to a new report from PayScale.
Not using their education and training is the primary reason why respondents consider themselves underemployed. In the survey, 79% of men and 72% of women say they are underemployed because of their education and training going to waste. The report elaborates:
People who can’t find full time work in the field they studied often end up taking part time work, or working in jobs unrelated to their field of study. The danger of underemployment is that if you’re not using the skills you learned and want to develop, those skills will atrophy, leaving you less able to compete for the jobs you actually want.
Additionally, underemployed workers begin to disengage from their jobs, resulting in sub-par performance, further damaging future job prospects.
In general, you’re more likely to feel underemployed if you have a lower level of education (no higher than an associate’s degree, GE, or high school diploma). However, a bachelor’s degree isn’t necessarily your ticket to professional bliss. Let’s look at the 15 worst college majors for today’s job market, according to PayScale.
15. Paralegal
Paralegal | Source: Thinkstock
- Underemployed level: 50.9%
- Underemployed for education reasons: 86.7%
- Underemployed due to part-time work: 13.3%
14. Health Sciences
Diet and nutrition | Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
- Underemployed level: 50.9%
- Underemployed for education reasons: 77.1%
- Underemployed due to part-time work: 22.9%
13. Exercise Science
Exercising | Source: iStock
- Underemployed level: 51%
- Underemployed for education reasons: 65.6%
- Underemployed due to part-time work: 34.4%
12. Animal Science
Bulldog mascot | Ethan Miller/ Getty Images
- Underemployed level: 51.1%
- Underemployed for education reasons: 83.7%
- Underemployed due to part-time work: 16.3%
11. Creative Writing
Creative writing major | Source: Thinkstock
- Underemployed level: 51.1%
- Underemployed for education reasons: 76.2%
- Underemployed due to part-time work: 23.8%
10. Human Development & Family Studies
Family studies | Source: Thinkstock
- Underemployed level: 51.5%
- Underemployed for education reasons: 75%
- Underemployed due to part-time work: 25%
9. Education
- Underemployed level: 51.8%
- Underemployed for education reasons: 77.7%
- Underemployed due to part-time work: 22.3%
8. Health Care Administration
Health care | Source: Thinkstock
- Underemployed level: 51.8%
- Underemployed for education reasons: 83.3%
- Underemployed due to part-time work: 16.7%
7. Studio Art
Photograph | Source: iStock
- Underemployed level: 52%
- Underemployed for education reasons: 69%
- Underemployed due to part-time work: 32.2%
6. Radio/Television & Film Production
Car radio | Micah Wright/Autos Cheat Sheet
- Underemployed level: 52.6%
- Underemployed for education reasons: 68.4%
- Underemployed due to part-time work: 31.6%
5. Project Management
Project management | Source: Thinkstock
- Underemployed level: 52.8%
- Underemployed for education reasons: 91.5%
- Underemployed due to part-time work: 8.5%
4. Criminal Justice
Criminal investigator | Source: Thinkstock
- Underemployed level: 53%
- Underemployed for education reasons: 87.4%
- Underemployed due to part-time work: 12.8%
3. Illustration
Underemployed illustrator | Source: iStock
- Underemployed level: 54.7%
- Underemployed for education reasons: 74.5%
- Underemployed due to part-time work: 25.5%
2. Human Services (HS)
Helping others | Source: Thinkstock
- Underemployed level: 55.6%
- Underemployed for education reasons: 82.2%
- Underemployed due to part-time work: 17.8%
1. Physical Education Teaching
Gym class | Source: iStock
- Underemployed level: 56.4%
- Underemployed for education reasons: 79.1%
- Underemployed due to part-time work: 20.9%
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