With most of the student loan program being nothing more than a profit machine for predatory lenders, the focus on attaining a college degree has waned in the United States.
For the Boomers, a secondary education was still something aspirational that most people would never have access to.
But by Gen X, everyone was expected to take out loans and apply for grants and scholarships to get a college degree. They were told getting a job hinged on it.
However, reality proved quite different and many from Gen X got a piece of paper they never used and a mountain of debt.
By Gen Z, the realization that not every job requires or will ever use a bachelors degree had enrollments at four-year universities dropping and at community colleges and trade schools increasing.
For the people who bought the lie, a lot of so-called worthless degrees were achieved. In 1987, the joke was someone would get a degree in "underwater basket weaving" just to a have one.
Reddit user Thick_Caterpillar379 asked:
"Redditors who got a 'useless' degree, how did it turn out?"
Reverse Harrison Ford
"Masters in Acting. I took the skills I learned from a student job building theatre sets and became a general contractor."
~ ActingFool
Play Time
"Fine Arts degree. I draw toy designs for Hasbro, it's awesome."
~ Howling_Mad_Man
Can I Help You?
"Using the f*ck out of my theater degree, so I can act like I care in my customer service job."
~ ComfortableAbject416
Overqualified, Underpaid
"Well, I personally figured getting a Chemistry degree would be an easy way to avoid having a useless degree, but then I found out all entry-level lab work is open to high school GEDs and pays less than fast food where I live."
"That said, hazardous waste is good work if anyone is feeling it."
"Comes with its own retirement in the form of chronic poisoning, but you get life insurance as well, so someone you know will be happy when you pass."
~ M1K3yWAl5H
Backup Plan
"I got a degree in anthropology."
"My father, having paid for this degree, then told me I needed 'something with a certificate'."
"So, off to nursing school I went. It was the perfect profession for me."
~ Difficult-Suspect987
Opted Out
"History degree here."
"I took a full-time job unrelated to my studies because it was June 2020, so I figured I should have something at hand."
"Ended up loving the job, so I didn't continue down the path to my masters or credentials for teaching. Glad I didn't as well, from talking to my peers.
"Now I work in public transit and it's honestly much more fulfilling than I ever would have thought."
~ HaroldSax
Not The Journey, But The Destination
"The joke in transit is that nobody aspired to get here, but most of us love it here."
"I have a philosophy degree."
~ d4austus
Not The Original Plan
"English degree. I do data entry and paperwork at a medical clinic."
"Computer literacy (in general) and professional writing/typing skills do help a lot."
~ Nexies
Literacy Works
"English for me as well. Was a programmer until the market became hyper competitive. Now work in law."
"It’s crazy how useful knowing how to write and being computer literate comes in handy in so many fields."
~ CharlieTuna_2
A Lot, Really
"Yep. BFA in costume design/construction and MFA in acting. Still cashing residuals checks & getting auditions while building puppets & designing/building costumes."
"It’s also a nice money-saver; my family/friends and I get cheap custom curtains, and instead of splashing out on wedding gifts, I do their alterations. I also do custom prom/pageant/bridal gowns, and I’ve taught acting, and coached actors into college scholarships…"
"Overall, to be honest, I just need detractors to know that theatre degrees are straight-up manual labor. I know they weren’t hanging lights 40 feet over the ground or reading MSDS sheets to avoid giving themselves cancer with dye powder."
"They can’t do the math to draft a suit pattern; they don’t have the superhuman skills to make a crazy person feel happy with their work. Their education didn’t involve all-nighters in the shop."
"They weren’t welding when they were sophomores. They can’t paint faux wood grain or understand the wild, frustrated grief of their teenager who can’t even understand themselves."
~ couturetheatrale
Alea Iacta Est
"Undergrad in Latin, masters in history."
"Am now a lawyer."
~ SCCLBR
"That tracks. It was either law or the clergy…"
~ atreides78723
"Third option being summoning demons to do your work."
~ Better-Bluejay-4977
"So a lawyer, then."
~ Dielawn515
I Think, Therefore...
"Philosophy degree. I work at Dollar Tree."
~ Gullible_Tie_4399
"Wife has a philosophy degree as well, she does quality control for a call center."
"She uses her degree when arguing with supervisors over scores."
~ XR171
Meet Cute
"Don’t use my first degree—criminal justice, but I met my wife while getting that degree."
"That’s worth more than anything."
~ poopbutt42069yeehaw
Nothing Lost In Translation
" Japanese degree. Went to law school."
"I can understand the anime I watch during my breaks."
~ SpikeRosered
No Regrets
"I got my B.A. in French and an M.A. in French Linguistics. I loved every minute of it, but never found my planned career in teaching French."
"I ended up teaching Computer Science courses for a while and then became an instructional designer."
"I just retired last month, and I don't regret any of it."
~ Calm-Vacation-5195
Did you go to college? Are you using your degree?
NBC News via Lisa Anderson
