Photo Credit: Håkan Dahlström
I’m a firm believer that your college major doesn’t matter. Yes, I said it – what you major in college doesn’t matter. Now when I say it doesn’t matter, I want to be precise in what I say: it doesn’t matter in terms of what you will gain in the future.
How can I be so bold and put out such a blanket statement? Because I’m a firm believer in the individual and what the individual does – that is truly what matters. That is why you should major in what you care about – because you will be more inclined to do activities that will benefit you later on.
The Big Unless…
The only time I believe a major matters is when you need a technical skill for the field you love to be in. So, for example, if you love computer science and programming, having a degree in that technical field does matter because that is what future employers are looking for.
Now, if you love a non-technical field, such as business, politics, etc. what you major in really doesn’t matter because when you start out, I guarantee you will be more of a generalist than anything else. You will be the office guinea pig. Even if they hire you as a “analyst”, you will analyze whatever they tell you, and you WILL do the odd job.
What Employers Say
There have been several studies on the matter, including one from CollegeGrad.com and one from Economics of Education Review.
At CollegeGrad, they surveyed 22 companies, and only 4 said that majors actually mattered – and the reason cited was the need for a technical skill such as engineering. 10 companies (almost half) said explicitly that majors don’t matter, while other said they mattered in a general sense, but not overly.
In the economics study, it highlighted how only 55% of graduates went into the same field as their major. Out of this 55%, most were technical majors. It also highlighted that this 55% do earn initially more than graduates who went into non-related fields, which makes sense, because technical skills tend to pay more initially.
However, the other 45% generally were business or liberal arts majors. The study found that over this entire group, what you study and major in doesn’t matter initially, even though you are less than technical majors. Even more interesting, is that in later life, the wage difference is much less (but this is accounted for a huge distribution of wages as well).
Final Thoughts
My biggest thought on this – do what you love, not what you feel compelled to. In the end, you happiness in life will matter much more than your major. Don’t slave away and be miserable sitting in a computer lab if programming isn’t your thing. Yes, you could earn more initially, but the value of your future happiness will be worth much more than any high paying job.
Readers, what are your thoughts? Does your major matter?
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This post was written by...
Robert – who has written 317 posts on The College Investor.
Robert is the founder and editor of The College Investor, a personal finance site dedicated to young adult and college student finances. You can learn more about him here and connect with him on Twitter or Facebook.
{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
My major is in Finance, but my work has nothing to do with finance…. I’d say my degree helped get the job, but it could have been in latergical dancing, and I don’t think it would have mattered. They just like my experience.
I think experience is key for many employers.
I agree with you, Robert. But I also chose a career path–a degree–I wanted to be in. I didn’t choose it based on earning potential. My fiancee did the same. Not to mention if you’re wanting your degree to REALLY count you have to garner a Master’s degree/Doctorate/PhD.
I also don’t think what you major in in college matters, unless you’re talking about an advanced degree like what you’d need to become a doctor, lawyer, or psychologist. I don’t even think computer programmers need a degree — they just need to know what they’re doing and have things they’ve developed to show for it.
I couldn’t agree more. If you feel pressured to do what you hate, you will end up spending more money to reward yourself, which will lead to a false sense of security.
I never thought about that, but it is probably true – so stick to an area you are passionate about!
I agree completely. I think more kids should go into the technical fields if they want better job prospects. I’m pretty sure there is still a shortage for employers. The problem is sometime you don’t know what you love until a bit later in life.
Very true. I discovered I didn’t love computer programming mid-way through college and changed majors.
I once worked for company president who was an English major. I worked with a software development director who was a phys ed major. Majors do not matter! In most cases these people enter a training program or find what interests them. We al evolve over time and must change or acquire the skils to do the job.
You do have to evolve. Even the technical skills you graduate with today may not be relevant 20 years into the future.
I think you should only go to college for things that require the degree such as a doctor, lawyer, etc. Many jobs you can start at entry level and work ur way up without having a degree. In my case I want to be a CPA, so the degree is needed in order to do what I want.
I believe the same…..I went back to college to finish……and it was slot more enjoyable because I was studying something g that was I interesting to me.
i dont think you should choose you college major based on money , ull regret later , u should do what ur really WANT !
I think people doing what they “love” is why we have such a high unemployment rate. Employers need X and Americans majored in Y. Gone are the days of any major getting any job; it’s gotta really be a fit or there are hundreds of candidates who will jump ahead of you.
Finally! Some disagreement! I don’t think the unemployment rate has to do with people following their passions, but I do agree it has to do with skills. However, I’m a strong believer that employers need a baseline of skills (unless you go into something specialized). I would estimate that 90% of the job is taught hands on, and all college proves is that you can be taught something.
Yes, candidates may jump ahead of you for specific jobs, but in general, work in a field you want to be in, and maintain some skills, and you won’t be unemployed.
Majors aren’t as important as drive, experience, confidence and the love for whatever you are trying to do. Many friends and family that I know have not gone with careers pertaining to their majors so much. But yes, always do what you love; it truly shows in the work and your overall attitude for life.
-Ashley Morrissey
ashleymorrissey90(at)yahoo(dot)com
I would rather put 70% or so in doing what heart says and rest 30% or so in doing what market demands. So yes, to me the subject of major matters.