Salary, Joblessness Could Be Affected By College Major
By: Sophie Nielsen-Kolding WMBD/WYZZ-TV
Updated: January 30, 2013
PEORIA- With the great expense and effort that comes with getting a college degree, people want to know they're getting their money's worth, but Kiplinger says that degree could impact your chances.
Some might say that not all college majors are created equal.
"Initially coming out of college there are differences," said Rick Smith, Director of Career Development at Bradley University.
And Kiplinger, a financial advice website agrees. Kiplinger has come up with a list of what it calls the Ten Worst Majors For Your Career. Included are anthropology, fine arts, film and photography, philosophy and religious studies, graphic design, studio arts, liberal arts, drama and theater arts, sociology and English.
Bradley senior, Katie Sterr is an English major.
"There are a lot of options, it just kind of depends on how you utilize the skill set," Sterr said.
Smith said the study doesn't look at where these majors end up.
"We have English majors that work for major Fortune 50 companies and business oriented including management and logistics and analysis consulting," Smith said.
Smith said that initially, some of these students just have to go about the job search differently.
"We just don't see certain types of fields at job fairs, how many places come in looking for psychology students?"
He said some students need more education for the job they want. With dreams of being a college professor, graduate school is where Sterr is headed.
"I'm going to go on in English and hopefully go on to get a Ph.D. And maybe teach," she said.
Smith said it's up to the individual to make the most of their skills. Some famous English majors include Sally Ride, the first woman in space, supreme court justice Clarence Thomas and Michael Eisner, the former CEO of Disney.
