GTFO of Econ Major?

SpecialAgentPunk
Fri, 09 Oct 2009 00:57:43 +0000

[A Teacher’s View: The Myth of the Bachelor Degree](A Teacher's View: The Myth of the Bachelor Degree)



“A degree in economics doesn’t really prepare you to understand the economy very well.”

These words of wisdom, according to an AP story, come from Josh Donahue, “23, who went on food stamps two weeks after leaving Oregon State University with an economics degree that he hoped to use for a job as a financial analyst. He’s living with his aunt and uncle in Grants Pass, Ore., and looking for even a menial job.”

Josh is the new poster boy for the massive inefficiency and inadequacy of America’s K-16 education system. Clearly, no one in the two decades of Josh’s life had any serious talks with him about who he is, what he wants, what he’s good at, what a liberal education means, or how liberal arts degrees translate (or don’t) into marketable skills. Josh came of age during an expanding economy based on false expectations of wealth, and he figured he’d study econ and then go make a killing selling stocks to middles class Roth IRA holders on his way to becoming the next Warren Buffett. Time for a reality check.



And also:

Today, I was offered a position as a school crossing guard. I have a $200,000 degree in Economics from a top 20 University and was offered a position to hold a stop sign and wear a reflective vest. I was tempted to accept. ■■■



With other discussions that humanities (philosophy, english) and now even social science degrees are no longer in tune with the job market, I’ve been seriously considering switching over to business. What’s the real scoop? Is an econ degree really seen as too theoretical and non-professional?