College diploma and money | Thinkstock
The value of a college education continues to be reexamined in the real world. In addition to being saddled with student loans, graduates and even experienced workers face a lackluster labor market. While a degree is still considered an advantage, the right major can make all the difference between happily employed and woefully underemployed in today’s job market.
Some majors are clearly failing. Millions of Americans are underemployed, according to a new report from PayScale. The information firm finds 46% of workers across all age groups believe they are underemployed. The feeling is shared among both male (43%) and female (49%) workers.
The meaning of underemployment can vary by person. PayScale defines underemployed as having part-time work but wanting to work full-time, or holding a job that doesn’t require or utilize your education, experience, or training.
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’ve achieved a lower level of education — no higher than an associate’s degree, GE, or high school diploma. However, that doesn’t mean a bachelor’s degree is your ticket to employment bliss. Let’s look at the 15 worst college majors for today’s job market, based on underemployed findings from 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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