10 Degrees That Keep You Poor Forever

Summary

In this video, Shane discusses the financial risks of pursuing certain college degrees, highlighting how many degrees lead to underemployment and long-term student loan debt. He focuses on degrees such as Restaurant Management, Pop Culture Studies, and Gender Studies, emphasizing their low job prospects and poor ROI. While Shane encourages passion in career choices, he warns that many students graduate with degrees that leave them financially struggling. He also criticizes the U.S. student loan system and how it affects graduates, urging viewers to think carefully about their educational investments.

Takeaways

• 😀 Degrees like Fine Arts and Social Work may lead to low-paying or underwhelming jobs that don't require a degree, which can be frustrating for graduates.
• 😀 Popular careers in media and entertainment (e.g., content writers, editorial assistants) often do not require a degree or may only require a general degree, not the one earned.
• 😀 A Content Writer, for example, can earn between $43,000 to $72,000 a year, but their work mainly involves creating light content like BuzzFeed quizzes or lifestyle pieces.
• 😀 Many editorial roles (e.g., editorial assistant, media coordinator) have salaries ranging from $41,000 to $63,000 a year, but the work might not fully align with a specialized degree.
• 😀 A common job like media coordinator (salary $45,000 to $63,000) may be similar to what stay-at-home parents do for free: analyzing trends and creating content based on them.
• 😀 The education system and student loan policies in the U.S. are criticized as being 'evil,' leading students into debt without ensuring meaningful employment prospects for all degrees.
• 😀 Despite graduating with a degree, many students face entry-level job options that don’t match their qualifications, while other skilled trades like plumbing can lead to higher salaries without a degree.
• 😀 People in tech fields who complete affordable online courses (e.g., Coursera) can land high-paying jobs, demonstrating that practical skills often outweigh degrees.
• 😀 The script critiques how the current education system pushes students into expensive degrees that don't always pay off in the job market.
• 😀 The video urges viewers to share information on the financial and professional implications of student loans and college degrees, encouraging people to reconsider their career paths.

Q & A

What is the main argument presented in the video?

The video argues that many college degrees, particularly in liberal arts, have limited financial returns and may not justify the cost of education, leading to student debt. It contrasts this with alternative career paths, like trades or tech certifications, that can offer lucrative opportunities.

Why does the speaker consider some degrees 'useless'?

The speaker considers certain degrees 'useless' because they do not lead to high-paying, stable jobs or require additional qualifications for entry-level roles. The argument suggests that these degrees often result in substantial student loan debt with minimal financial payoff.

What does the speaker suggest as a better alternative to a traditional college degree?

The speaker suggests pursuing certifications in fields like tech or trade jobs like plumbing, which can lead to high-paying careers with less debt and potentially fewer years of education.

How does the speaker compare the financial prospects of liberal arts degrees to technical jobs?

Liberal arts degrees are depicted as offering lower salaries and a longer, more difficult job search compared to technical jobs, such as those in plumbing or tech fields, which can offer six-figure salaries without the need for a traditional college degree.

What role does student loan debt play in the argument?

Student loan debt is a key component of the argument. The speaker criticizes the student loan system, pointing out that many graduates are burdened with debt that takes decades to repay, while their degrees do not yield enough financial benefits to justify the investment.

What is the criticism of the education system in the video?

The criticism is directed at the way the education system is structured, especially in the U.S., where the focus is on expensive degrees that don’t guarantee lucrative job opportunities, trapping students in debt.

How does the speaker feel about entry-level jobs after graduation?

The speaker is critical of the entry-level job market for graduates, suggesting that despite obtaining a degree, many students end up in jobs that are low-paying or unrelated to their field of study.

What does the speaker say about media-related careers like content writing or social media coordination?

The speaker argues that careers like content writing or media coordination, which are often pursued by those with liberal arts degrees, tend to offer lower salaries and require minimal qualifications, making them less desirable for someone with a degree.

How does the speaker view the value of a college degree in today’s job market?

The speaker suggests that, in many cases, a college degree has become less valuable in the job market, especially when the cost of education leads to significant debt without corresponding financial rewards.

What is the overall message of the video?

The overall message is that traditional college degrees, particularly those in liberal arts, may not provide a good return on investment. The speaker encourages viewers to consider alternative career paths, such as trade jobs or tech certifications, that offer better financial prospects with less debt.