Are you pursuing the right college degree?

SOUTH Africa’s education sector has had a rapid incline with loads of degrees becoming available, but some of them are proving to not be so useful. Most degrees look good on paper and even fun to do but may not be as rewarding. Scores of recent graduates find themselves in long unemployment queues for years, some having to settle for underpaying jobs.

Career and entrepreneurship expert Siôn Phillpott lists some of these concerning courses to pursue at tertiary level:

• Music
Music is entirely about perseverance through practice and not about an expensive degree from graduate school. Music degrees in the country are usually considered worthless with a few exceptions in classical music, which is something with only limited employment opportunities.

• Anthropology and Archaeology
If you have a soft spot for history, travelling and exploring the evolution of mankind, a major in anthropology and archaeology might be interesting, however, it may not be worth your time and money.

Unfortunately, there’s a reason the only archaeologists you know are fictional — in the real world, they are simply too few and far between.

• Culinary Arts
Culinary arts is one of the easiest degrees you can get in South Africa and you may not need it for the most part. According to statistics, a graduate in culinary school earns an average of 5% more than those with no college degrees, which is not convincing enough to go through four years of formal education.

• Travel and Tourism
The outcome of a tourism degree is not always beneficial when you enter the job market, despite the glamour of travel in South Africa. Students interested in launching their career in this field need to learn about travel destinations and strategies to enhance a student experience, however, they still have few job prospects after graduating from college.

Also read: Free classes for illiterate adults in Durban

• Biology
Contrary to popular opinion, getting a degree in biology may not be the right decision. This is not because the degree contents are useless or there is no hope for employment; rather, Biology is a subject that frequently serves as a prerequisite for other advanced degrees. Thus, it should only be seen as a stepping stone to more advanced coursework or research.

• Advertising
Students with a major in advertising usually learn about marketing trends and selling goods through several media channels like social media, TV and message boards. However, as soon as they leave college, the work opportunities are only a few, and most of them have extensive requirements like publications, internships, etc. So, though you can make a successful career in media in South Africa, the path can be long and less rewarding.

• Fashion
Most people enter the fashion industry with goals like starting a clothing line, working as a designer in an established corporation, or becoming a fashion marketer. If you are entering the field with a similar goal and the first thing you do is get a degree in fashion design, it may not be the wisest decision. Nonetheless, if you already have a fashion degree, chances are that you may get employed in other businesses or the HR field.

• Philosophy
Choosing philosophy as a single major may not be the right decision, given the dearth of employment opportunities in the South African job market. Finding a permanent career in philosophy may not be impossible, but it is certainly challenging and time-consuming.

Also read: Local business conference to present new opportunities for entrepreneurs

• Criminal justice
Many experts consider a criminal justice degree useless because of the costs and a paucity of decent employment opportunities. While law enforcement is always a job option, it is recommended that students enrol in a more broad-based educational programme, like law school or political science.

• Religious studies
Religious studies graduates often find that their career options are primarily restricted to academic, religious or non-profit sectors which are niche and may not offer high-paying or abundant positions.

• Performing arts
Many budding actors take the plunge into drama school, but like all of the creative professions on this list, the key ingredient to success isn’t taught in any course curriculum – you need natural talent. Although some famous actors have followed this path, many haven’t – the only constant is that an expensive college degree is not a requirement to be able to act, sing or dance.

Instead, the best way to break into such a notoriously ruthless industry is by constantly attending auditions, learning to develop a thick skin and volunteering on film and theatre sets in the hope of making a few contacts.

Also read: 6 steps to choose the right career path

• Journalism
The print newspaper is dying. Online publications are competing heavily with bloggers, specialised writers and even social media. Therefore, becoming a journalist can be a challenging field to pursue as the supply of graduates far exceeds that of available positions.

• Library science
A library science degree has diminished in perceived value due to the shrinking number of traditional library jobs and the increased competition for these roles. As digital libraries and online resources become more prevalent, traditional library settings are decreasing.

• Education
Teachers frequently deal with high levels of burnout, limited resources and undervalued positions, leading many to reconsider their choice after graduating. Additionally, job availability can fluctuate greatly depending on the location and budget cuts in public education systems. A degree in educational technology, special education or human resources could lead to better-paying jobs and broader career opportunities in corporate training, educational software development or administrative roles, where teaching skills are transferable but more highly valued.

Phillpott concludes, “While STEM subjects may be more in demand, not everyone wants to be an engineer, doctor or scientist. And that’s fine – just make sure you’re seriously aware of the implications of your major before you start.”

Also read: Graduates invited to join SAPS

Dr Stanley O. Ehiane, a senior university research associate, shared her insight on the employability of recent graduates. “The transition from college to the job world has been challenging for graduates. Today, the trade-off between sacrifice and profit is unparalleled. Graduate unemployment is a problem that affects not only South Africa but also other countries. Unemployment and underemployment have been linked to significant skill mismatches and general incapability. Graduates lack the skills and expertise required to navigate the challenging employment market.

“With 26 public universities and 130 accredited private higher education providers, the country is a leader in the African academic sector, but its graduates have a lesser likelihood of finding work,” she explained.

Stats SA revealed that South Africa is home to some of the world’s best universities. Every year, over 250 000 new graduates enter the South African labour field, but only about 30% of them find employment.

For more from the Highway Mail, follow us on Facebook , X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.

Click to subscribe to our newsletter here