I want to get a degree in African American Studies... but

It depends if you actually want to get a job in the field you majored in. Most people don't actually work in what they majored in, and most jobs that want you to have a degree, just want you to have a 4 year degree. So the question is, do you just want the added edge of having a degree or do you want to work in the field you majored in?

Well shit, these days, that can be said about pretty much anything outside of an engineering or law degree.

I wouldn't do it if I were you. I know doing what you love is important, but you have to do something that will put food on your table. Unless you want to teach African-American studies the degree is completely useless.

Well, hot damn.

/thread

It is useless yes. You don't have to major in this field in order to know these things. But its your choice. If you believe that you have enough passion, ability and drive to get into this field and end up a successful researcher or a sociologist and maybe a university professor too then go ahead. You may even end up becoming a black politician or social figure but it goes without saying that the chances of that happening are pretty slim.

I wouldn't recommend it unless you're planning on becoming a professor/teacher. Other than in academics, the only careers you would get with that sort of job would likely be stuff like a social worker, something in politics, or working with a non-profit group that works with black people. There's also a host of jobs that only require some degree--any old degree. Best to go into medicine though; you're guaranteed a job there. All the other sciences (chemistry, biology, physics) are borderline useless unless you intend to get a PhD.

Seriously, it isn't a degree I would choose, but I'd hardly call it a death sentence like so many in this thread seem to be implying. The majority of people work in areas outside of their degree. If he is a hardworking and motivated person and able to graduate with a top GPA, make connections, and be personable then he'll do just fine regardless of degree.

There are certain skills that transcend one's major.

Then again, I'm a strong believer that connections matter, so the better the school is that he is attending the easier it will likely be for him to be successful. If attending Podunk U, it might be better to get a safer degree, but even then it is still definitely possible to be successful with the right skills and attitude.

It is worthless to you since you could just study it on your own time.

don't forget medicine.

I'm not being a you I'm being a me.

and take out law....

OP, is you really, really and I mean REALLY want a degree on African American studies then you ahead and do it. Just go into it with open eyes and be prepare for what comes next. And that is that.

LOL.

I wouldn't call any form of education to be "useless". Any means of furthering your knowledge and understanding of a subject has use.

Now, as to whether your future economic prospects will be improved by said education is another story. You'll likely have to obtain a doctorate in order to make any money with that particular course of study. If your heart is really set on it, I would suggest a dual major with something else like History, but you're pretty much pigeon-holing yourself into a job in education.

you said something really stupid, so I (justifiably) called you stupid.

if you don't want me to call you stupid don't say stupid things.

thinking this degree has monetary value and comparing it to somebody who makes 500k is stupid.

gerg, you're stupid.

@MakeMeaSammitch: Please refrain from insulting other users. Keep the conversation clean.

@Korvus85: Sure, but to be fair, he asks for it.

As you can imagine, it's not my place to take sides, I can only say "keep to the Terms of Use or suffer the consequences" and sometimes add an evil laugh in the end, you know?

Not even engineering. Two of my friends are engineers--both had amazing grades and had years upon years of paid internships under their belts. One of them got a non-engineering related job in the company he was an intern with, and the other is currently doing tutoring work on the side while he looks for a job. Engineering is anything but a guaranteed job. The fundamental problems related to getting a job nowadays are two-fold: 1. Competition over jobs is high, and companies almost never choose the guy with little to no work experience. 2. Having a degree means jackshit in most professions unless you know how to use the software or have the on-site skills required for the job.

The purpose of learning isn't exclusively to improve your employment prospects - its also to, well, learn. Learning about a subject that you are interested in, is far more valuable, than learning something simply for the purpose of improving your skills for the purpose of obtaining a specific job.

The area you chose in this instance, I think is valuable knowledge that more Americans would do well to engage with and learn. Being good at a particular field, will open up other opportunities; education isn't always linear or can be planned in advance. Study what feels right for you.

correct, but getting a degree is.

No one is saying he shouldn't learn what he wants to learn, but choosing AAS as a major is idiotic.

This. There are many entry level jobs after graduation that simply require a degree, any degree.

Read the books instead; major in something you can fall back on, and ask yourself whether you really need to go to college in the first place.

Why isn't there a white american studies?

Because blacks control college's curriculum content.

it's not really going to do you anything useful in any particular profession

but it's a degree

and degrees can land jobs that require any degree

i think it is very marketable. if you were hiring for a basic position that will require training no matter what, would you want to hire all business majors? no, because they are all basically clones of one another. you would want to hire people who see things differently. i would much rather have people from different backgrounds than those who are all the same.

It's called U.S. History.

^

What is your purpose ? What would you use it for. Why is it interesting to you.

Why would you want to pay or get in debt for a degree with really no use in real world?

I spose it'd be a good thing if ya wanna teach the same thing later on.

How are you a moderator and yet you only have 35 posts?

You should go for something else and learn your african american history on your own. Use the library. If you can't do anything with the degree, then what is the point in having it? Why waste your money on it when you can just research on your own and save that money for a useful degree.

I was made a moderator mostly for my contribution on GS's comment section, not forums. That's mostly where I stay unless I get a forum related report. But you guys seem like an interesting bunch and I might stop here more often ;)

90 something percent of engineering students at my school have an engineering job waiting for them upon graduation.

Why don't you just google all the information? and do a degree that will give you a career. why do you need a uni course to study these things? its like womans studies... oh sure... feminsists love it.... but wtf job prospects does that offer?

I'm sure there are cheaper/free ways of learning this kind of material.

It depends on where you're studying it. At a liberal arts college, your choice of major isn't so important as your choice to engage in off-campus study, independent research, and most of all -- getting your BA or BS (or even B Mus).

This is what I do.

Yeah, I am sure they do.

Actually this deserves a higher level of sarcasm:

L

O

L

He asked peoples opinion and I gave mine. Stop crying like a baby over it and press on.

No, I know crying when I see it.