Grades and Girls: What Your Parents Never Told You About College

by Seth Rose

  I didn’t end up studying business at this school. Rather I opted for two degrees in the liberal arts. I just couldn’t bring myself to do business. That was, on the other hand, one of the worst decisions I ever made.

  While the allure of a closet full of suits was still there, my heart wasn’t in it. I couldn’t see myself sitting at a desk all day crunching numbers and doing whatever it is that I-bankers do.

  This is a decision I do not entirely regret. Though I would have likely had a good job after finishing IU, let alone any job, it would have thrown off my current trajectory. I am happy with where I am now and have a great business idea that I will delve into in the near future. Had I not done those liberal arts degrees who knows what I would be doing.

  Now, reflecting on one’s actions in hindsight, is not the same as giving advice. The truth is that being a liberal arts major there aren’t too many, if any at all, job prospects. I am quite a rarity in starting a business from my degree, but it is possible. Yet, it is not easy nor desirable. You're better off studying something that will get you a good job to start with. Then you can work on your business in your free time.

  I know, I know. You have no interests in computers or engineering. It’s too hard. You won’t be able to pass the classes, let alone read a few pages.

  Well tough shit!

  Hundreds of years ago people didn’t have much choice in their work. If you were born on a farm, you work on a farm. Was your dad a blacksmith? Your future would be pretty clear.

  Today, hard work is defined as sitting in a comfy, air-conditioned office solving big problems. Hmmm, would you rather do that or mine coal?

  In the twenty first century and with the advent of new technologies and fields there is a vast array of fields for employment. I know there is a STEM field out there you can tackle, and will probably even enjoy.

  I would encourage you to consider a degree like computer science or accounting. These degrees will not only land you a good job post-graduation, but will also teach you valuable skills that you can turn into a location-independent business. Keep this concept in mind when choosing a major.

  Chapter 26: Credentialism

  I’m currently finishing up a Master’s program. While there is some utility in it, there’s very little I’ve learned from it that is helping me with my current career. In fact, virtually anyone can do this job! Although the subject matter is directly related to my studies, all I do is research which can be done with a few weeks of on the job training. Yet, here I am paying an arm and a leg for a Master’s degree.

  The reason I am in this position is because we’re in a job market that favors employers. If they have 50 applicants for one job, why not require the person to get a Master’s? Although it does not necessarily make them more qualified, employers want to believe that they are getting the best of the best.

  This is the problem of “progressive credentialism.” Aaron Clarey explains in Bachelor Pad Economics, such that with an excess of applications employers can demand higher and higher levels of education and certifications. This forces students to spend even more time and money. Sadly, these ‘skills’ won’t even be used in the job, rather it is just for the benefit of the employer.

  Be wary of falling into this trap. For many 4 years of college won’t be enough, which brings them back to school for a Master’s degree. For others, it may mean getting a certification to stay competitive in your field. Whatever the reason, you’re going to have to ask yourself whether it’s worth it (Hint: It’s NOT!).

  The average income in the USA is around $50,000. This is a decent salary, and a single man can live on it without worry. Yet, making this much money does not have to come through an office job. Being a construction worker or city bus driver can earn this salary, if not much more. Electricians and plumbers can make 6-figures handily. And I even read a story of a janitor in San Francisco who makes $276,000 a year![24]

  So why on Earth are young men and women hustling to get more credentials to increase their salary $10,000? The reason is that a.) Working in an office is easier than manual labor and b.) Getting a degree is somehow noble.

  The barista with a Master’s in English will look down her nose at the Construction worker making double what she is. “It’s not about money,” they’ll say, “but about knowledge.” Of which the college students have very little to begin with.

  Chapter 27: Identifying Macro Trends

  Today, college has shifted into a sort of job training center. The idea is that students will study a particular subject and then be prepared to work in that faculty after graduating. Yet, what made Robert Kiyosaki different in Rich Dad, Poor Dad, for example, is that he did not treat college as such a narrow path, rather he used it to learn about broader subjects and how to profit from them.

  If you’re studying something like computer science, don’t limit yourself to just coding and theory. Learn as much as you can about the industry, that is, who are the biggest companies in the field? What do they do? What are their strengths and weaknesses? Are jobs being shipped offshore? To where?

  This will not only prepare you for finding and interviewing for jobs, but also comes in handy in terms of investing in companies if you so choose.

  And if you haven’t yet settled on a major, take some time to observe major trends in the world such as: Technological advances, automation, outsourcing, China’s rise, Online Business, Uber, inflation and more.

  Chapter 28: Overview of Majors and Careers

  While it would be nice to do whatever you want when you grow up, that’s hardly the case. There aren’t too many male pornstars out there, are there?

  Moreover, love is fickle. It’s why divorce rates are near 50%.

  The same goes for college. If you love something at 17, will you still love it at 47, let alone 27? And, when you begin to associate studying and boring work with your ‘passion’ it becomes less enjoyable. Unless you are self-employed and in control, you can never fully realize your passion.

  I believe that an individual can major in whatever subject they want and be successful, but here’s the catch: Different majors have higher rates of providing good-paying jobs, if any job at all.

  For example, Computer Science majors will have a much higher chance of being employed after college than a psychology major. They are also likely to be paid more in the event both receive a degree. Therefore, you must weigh the likelihood of getting a job, the expected salary, and cost of tuition before choosing a major.

  The following section briefly overviews five of the major fields of study. It will discuss the majors included, a quick glance at the subjects, the reality and day in the life of a student who studies these subjects, how to succeed in this field and a look into the future.

  Also, please note that the following is my opinion, these are not facts. They are simply observations from personal experience, anecdotal evidence, and research.

  Arts & Humanities

  Majors Included: Art, Music, Dance, Film, History, Political Science, Languages, English, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Sociology etc.

  At A Glance: For the guys interested in the humanities, a reality check is necessary. If you decide to go this route, you have to be in the top 10% (at least) in your major to have a shot at getting a job with just a Bachelor’s. That takes into account internships, GPA, extracurriculars etc.

  It’s not a good idea to go tens of thousands of dollars in debt to get an English degree. Sure you may make it big and publish a book, but odds are you won’t. And even if you do, you don’t need an English degree to teach you how to write or to get your published!

  As a student of the humanities allow me to give you some insight: I entered school as a history major. I loved history ever since before I even entered school in Kindergarten. There was just something about it. When I got to school, it was a no brainer to study it. I never thought about the future though. People inevitably ask in college, “So what do you want to do with that?” Good question. (Note: If people ask
you this questions and you don’t have a specific answer, you may want to consider taking a sabbatical from school until you can figure out what you want to do).

  Most people suspected I would be a history professor. Fuck that. There weren’t too many other options though. Work in a library? Kill me now.

  So halfway through my Freshman year I decided to start studying Russian as a foreign language (which was required for my major). I loved it and it opened a lot of new doors for me. I could now work the whole International Relations/Government angle. My senior year I got a pretty prestigious internship. It was an amazing opportunity and struck me as something that I could envision myself doing full time upon graduating.

  Unfortunately that wasn’t going to happen. Why? Because there’s a lot of competition out there. While I’m just a 22 year old recent graduate, there are people 10-20+ years older than me with a Master’s or PhD, fluency in the language, and work experience that have me beat out at all levels. To be more competitive I’d need what they have if not more.

  This is the reality for humanities majors. Not all humanities degrees are worthless per se, it’s just that the demand for people with the knowledge and skill set that this degree provides is slim, especially when looking at the number of people with these degrees.

  Universities were founded initially to cultivate environments for studying subjects like philosophy and religion. They didn’t have the technology we do today and there were no engineering programs. Medicine wasn’t a well-respected profession until a few hundred years ago. People didn’t necessarily go to college to get a job, they did it because they loved wisdom and knowledge. And because so few people went to college centuries, or even decades ago, it was more prestigious to have a college degree because not every Joe and Sally had a college diploma.

  Of course I’m biased. I believe that the world needs people with humanities degrees who have studied history, art and philosophy. These subjects have been studied for thousands of years, why stop now? Humanities degrees create intelligent, well read, literate individuals who can convey an idea effectively. These types of people aren’t going anywhere, anytime soon.

  Have you ever read an engineer’s paper? It’s pitiful, but don’t blame them. People are just wired differently. I could never see myself being an engineer, and it’s a two way street. My engineering friends tell me that it’s nearly impossible for them to learn a language or to write a coherent paper.

  The decision you have to make if you’re someone more inclined to the humanities is whether a degree is worth it? Even if you love a certain subject, you’re better off picking a tough major and grinding it out for a decade. You can stack some cash and then spend more time on your passion.

  A Day In the Life: I was rarely overburdened with school work. Few humanities majors are. A few classes a day, with a bit of homework at night was the norm.

  What Humanities Majors Think: That their studies are harder than they appear. That they will be partners at law firms, politicians, or Nobel laureates.

  Reality: I hit the nail on the head already, but humanities majors will have an uphill battle once out of school.

  Keys for Success:

  1.) Internships: To set yourself ahead of the rest of the pack, you need to have a stellar resume, which is best done by having internships, in the case of a humanities major, with reputable organizations and institutions. A good idea is to actually work with a big corporation or financial institution, not related to your field of study (if possible). This way you can leverage that private sector experience after graduation.

  Networking is also critical. If you can build contacts inside various companies who can hire you despite your degree, you’ll do alright.

  2.) Language: I’m partial to languages, but learning something like Mandarin, Japanese or Russian will open a lot more doors for you in the business world.

  3.) GPA: This goes with setting yourself ahead of the rest of the pack. There’s no excuse for not having a 3.5+ GPA as a liberal arts major.

  4.) Leadership: Being a President or Treasurer of an organization helps. Taking part, or better yet, starting a club related to finance is a good bet.

  Business

  Majors Included: Accounting, Finance, Management, Marketing, Human Resources, Entrepreneurship, Real Estate etc.

  At a Glance: Ah business majors. The self-proclaimed cool kids on the block. Business majors are the guys in school who want to make big bucks.

  A day in the life: Business majors don’t have it too hard. Accounting and financing classes will kick your ass, but most business classes aren’t overwhelming. Depending on the class, the amount of time you spend in the library will vary greatly, although business majors are known for their partying antics.

  What Business Majors Think: Some will tell you that their degree is a joke, others take it seriously. The course load is not too hard, but they will always tell you how hard accounting class is. If it’s so hard why are they drinking on a Wednesday afternoon?

  Reality: The degree of difficulty for business class can vary greatly. The workload can be tough, but it isn’t too difficult. It’s middle of the line as far as difficulty goes. As for their futures, business majors usually have it pretty good as long as they adhere to the following.

  Keys for Success (Some same as humanities):

  1.) Internships: When I saw our former Treasurer's resume my jaw dropped. Some of the nation’s biggest banks were on there. You can guess how his career is going. If you’re a business major your resume is key. Oftentimes companies that you intern with will give you a job right out of college. If you dick around as a business major then you can kiss that Wall St. job goodbye.

  2.) Language: Again, I’m partial to languages, but I think learning something like Mandarin or Japanese will open a lot more doors for you in the business world.

  3.) Leadership: Being a President or Treasurer of an organization helps. Taking part, or better yet, starting a club related to finance is a good bet.

  Future: Again, this largely depends on your resume, but most business majors do well. Nearly all the business majors I know got jobs out of school. Business majors are usually go getter types so this is not surprising.

  Health and Medicine

  Majors Included: Biology, exercise science, chemistry, genetics, neuroscience, biochem, nursing, public health etc.

  At a Glance: It’s hard to throw all these majors together, but I’m grouping anything related to the human body and science. Most of these majors are tough and will require a lot of effort and taking some difficult classes. Many people in this major will be pre- something, looking to go to Medical or Dental school after college.

  What Health/Medicine Majors Think: Like I said, many people in this field want to go to Med school. So many people are banking on this. It’s their dream to become a doctor.

  Reality: Less than 40% of students who take the MCAT get into medical school[25] (http://www.kaptest.com/blog/med-school-pulse/2016/10/03/med-school-admission-by-the-numbers/). This is a harsh reality that not many realize. The days of slaving away at O Chem will have been for naught.

  Plus, medical school is long and hard. Long and hard, indeed. You’ll spend at least four years in medical school, then perhaps a specialty, and residency. Add in tuition and you’ll be in debt for decades.

  Keys for Success: These will for the most part only be applicable to those looking to go to med school.

  1.) Internships/Lab Work: Working in a lab is a must, as well as publishing research.

  2.) Leadership: A solid resume with various activities is probably the best way to distinguish yourself from your competition.

  3.) Standardized Tests: A low MCAT score will no doubt compromise any chance at getting into medical school.

  Future: Most students pursuing med school don’t get in. This means that they may go enter a graduate school program. When I first wrote this I was a big advocate of dental school. My father was a periodontist and made good money. In fact, all de
ntists do quite well and it is less competitive and rigorous than medical school.

  Yet, when looking at statistics recently (Google your in-state dental school, for example) tuition for dental school is too damn high. Most schools will put you around $300,000 in debt!

  Even though doctors and dentists do well financially (at least with income), the long-term tradeoff does not add up. A family friend of ours is in his 50’s, an ER doctor, and still paying off student loans!

  STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)

  Majors Included: Actuarial Science, Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, Engineering (All) etc.

  At a Glance: STEM majors today are lauded as the best choice for a college student, and for good reason. While these majors will be the most challenging, they will provide the most reward.