Why I'm Studying A Useless Degree

Some thoughts on studying the humanities and why it's so rare and difficult to do for this generation.

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[waningegg]

I study the humanities because I can't do otherwise. The moment you discover your ignorance, you will never give yourself a break. It's an obsession, basically, or a passion.

[rhysholdaway]

I studied philosophy at university. The prospectus said "many a graduate has gone on to get illustrious jobs as supermarket cashiers, cinema ushers and bartending."... Sold.

[yana.rya_____]

So glad to hear someone talking about this! It seems like everyone is trashing on arts/humanities and even degrees in general. Its less about the content and more about teaching you how to think critically which is a useful skill for lots of jobs. As an arts grad I've had absolutely no problem finding jobs but I do think that doing a more specialised post grad and gaining practical experience is good to add in order to stand out these days.

[JazzyCrumbles]

I'm not going into history because I'm dissatisfied with reality. I'm going to history because me like when human go bonk on each other's head over millennia. Also, perspectives are cool.

[enlightenedanalysis]

Hi Robin. I once gave up a medical degree to study philosophy (and then law). My father was very angry with my decision. In retrospect, it was the best decision I made to leave my original degree and pursue my passion in philosophy. Nothing great was ever achieved without danger (as Machiavelli once said). Embrace uncertainty in life. Good for you. Lots of respect to you.

[kandamy]

You argue that your twenties is the perfect time to study humanities- you are unsure of who your are, your place in the world.... The thing is, if you're of that mindset ( and I also am), then you will never be able to answer these questions. Then it becomes a matter of do you wish to explore what others have thought on these profound topics or are you able to channel your mind into something of a more purely vocational bent? I did a degree in Primary teaching but now, over thirty years later I'm taking a degree in Literature. That doesn't mean those questions weren't with me all along- I've always been interested in ideas and keen to learn more of what it means to be human. Now I'm retired I have more time to devote to this but it was always there for me. The good thing studying now though is I have more time, maybe a broader perspective and because I have already 'learnt how to learn' I can take a course with minimum input from a university and therefore at a minimum cost.

[clawmansegele]

I would argue that having an interest in the humanities or literature or whatever is not necessarily a sign of pressure, “mental disturbance”, or dissatisfaction as you propose in this video and some other recent videos. I love literature, psychology, philosophy, etc, because of my love for reality, learning, and life. I would say I learn because I’m on a mission (an “impossible” mission) to find the best way to live my life to the fullest and help other people.

Either way, I think people have many different motivations for why they are interested in the humanities, and it’s not necessarily a sign that their life is miserable or that they are “mentally disturbed”.

[maheekxvi]

I am pursuing MA in English literature! And I literally don’t have anyone around to discuss or share my thoughts, And your channel is a relief for me in times like these

[haskisas]

I found my passion for humanities early on and was lucky enough to have parents who supported my dream and didn't oppose it much. However, from time to time I still get kind of embarassed to tell what my major is when meeting new people (I suppose it's because at least in my area STEM subjects are seen as superior)

[daydream]

For me, I have given up on so much because it is all just too expensive (like owning my own home among other things). I have concluded after the pandemic and our current economic crisis that it does not matter what I study, because I will never be able to "make enough." Therefore, I am studying a subject I love and gets me excited which is my beautiful English language. People have said I light up when talking about books and writing. My spirit feels so fulfilled when I write and read, and study the masters. I am so freaking excited to finish out my Bachelor's program this August after my year break from my Associates and have already began reading some of my course materials I saw from previous syllabuses so I can already have an idea what I will be reading and studying. I love learning about different cultures, beliefs, and history through stories. And I am the one weirdo for the most part I actually really enjoy essays because I get the chance to talk and talk about something I love and if it is something I am truly interested in I have to have word limits because I also tend to really deep dive lol.

So yes, I am majoring in English, because I love it! It is for me to grow as a person, and I am going to use it because I am a writer myself. I hope to work in a library and even become and editor to help others in my craft! So in a world where nothing seems attainable anymore I say screw it and I'm going to study something I love even if I don't make a ton of money. Because to me as long as my bills are paid I don't care to be rich, just to foster my love of the subjects that make me excited and want to keep learning! I am also planning to get my Masters in English as well!

Do what makes you happy, study what you love, life is too short to study what you hate, have a job you hate, to not even make enough anyway.

[Beantbeantbeant]

Why would people interested in humanities study anything else? The world doesn't need any more half-assed doctors, engineers, and scientists. Chances are if a person who cares only for humanities studies a science degree they will often always fail that science degree due to no interest and it will be "useless" too.
I study English and History at university, but did Biology as one of my A-levels... and I was terrible at it. So why would I knowingly go into a degree in the sciences where my only experience of it is failure and hatred when I can go into something I love and have spent my whole life dedicated to studying both in school and in my own time. I want to be a teacher, as I cannot see myself possibly doing anything else, as teachers have consistently been the most inspiring things in my life, and the best of those who have changed my life have always come from the humanities. I would choose Shakespeare over sciences any day.

[clarawolf]

I can really recommend Not for Profit by Martha Nussbaum on the value of the humanities. I have a master's degree in applied philosophy and thinking back on 5 years of studying philosophy I feel really good about my choice. It changed and transformed me into a greater critical thinker with capacity to learn new perspectives. I have learned how to have a critical discussion in a friendly manner on important topics. The value of philosophy is in my eyes not its potential for creating profit or developing new technology. It is that philosophy guards slow and critical thinking from the fast paced hamster wheel of an existence that most people live in today. Philosophy graduates can also create value for companies because of these unique skills that take time to develop but it probably takes more time and effort to make a non-philosophy graduate understand this value than other philosophers.

[MicaTheGamer]

I felt this way 100% while I was still earning my Bachelor's. Now that I've completed it and can't afford to continue school and am struggling to make enough money to survive, I wish I had minored in my passions and focused on something I knew could make me enough money at least to have a more stable future. One of the frustrating things is that while in school all of these skills seem incredible to put toward jobs, in our current world none of these skills are valued and rarely actually get us even into the interview stage. I wholeheartedly would not take back my degree. I loved it. I loved school. I want to continue studying and learning, and I am. But I would also love to be able to afford to go back to college and continue in the environment that is so difficult to recreate outside of school. Sadly, it will likely be a while before I can afford to do so.

I hope everyone can follow their passions and learn more about the world and the people around them and cultures and communication and language and expression. I also hope we can figure out how to eat and have shelter and sustain ourselves.

[DeidreaDeWitt]

I started pursuing my masters in philosophy and theology in my 30s because I wanted to improve my leadership skills and writing. My undergrad major was digital media and video game design. I'm an ESL teacher in Korea. So don't get stuck on the job market when you go to school... you'll probably end up in places you never expected anyways.

[snowyfictions]

Last year, I finished my history degree at an Australian university. I'm now working on a novel and (very slowly) building income by teaching online and journalism. Business stuff interests me and I've took courses on branding & marketing from Udemy. Haven't really applied for jobs.

Best of luck, everyone - especially to you, Robin. Will check out your Skillshare class. (hey, it's where I teach!) I have no regrets studying history. I get comments like 'what are you doing with that?' or 'should've done STEM'- urgh. But I get encouragement, and I've improved so much as a writer and storyteller. My tip for humanities students is to a) learn auxillary skills: language, marketing, software, teaching, design etc. b) become a beast at writing. Seriously, so many think they are good writers. The ability to communicate your ideas well is actually rare.

[thehummingbird]

I'm thankful for RC Waldun's videos. I was slightly de-motivated to pursue the humanities. Now I feel much better about myself. I feel more confident in this English program. It isn't about finding a job, but understanding and analyzing complex social issues.

[viridianachimal]

I don´t know if you are going to read this but I'm a 22 year old girl whose passion are books, and even though my parents are not the happiest with that decision I know, deep inside me my life depends on it, I have tried to study something else, and it was the worst time of my life, I felt so sad at that moment, i want to study Literature and I want to make a big chance, maybe it's a useless dream, but want I want to do it´s to make books reachable to people, I want people to fell in love with books, and I'm going to spend the rest of my life doing so because they´re the most important thing to me, I wont give up.

[badwolftina]

After a complete and utter breakdown in 2019 I reorganised my life and have now started a second B.A. in Anglophone Studies and Communication Science. Best decision of my life, I'm immensely enjoying it. Yes, it's hard because I still have to work and earn money alongside my studies, but it's so worth it! I was forced to do a lot of rest and soul-searching over the last two years and my health forced me to reassess my priorities. Studying the humanities is helping me with this process. I love diving head-first into literature and different schools of thought on the nature of human communication!

[wade_says]

Smart young dude! I’m 34 and I quit college with 17 credits left. Going back now to finish it just for fun. I think it will open up opportunities and get me back on track career-wise.

[zuccitosh]

Wow, this video is Godsent. My teacher and I were literally just talking why I should continue to study the humanities. Great video as always!