Most Underemployed Majors in 2015

[sanantone]

Forbes got its information from a Payscale survey that asked people if they were working part-time but wanting to work full-time and if they were working in a job that uses their education.

1. General Science
% Underemployed: 49%

% of part-time workers who want to be full-time: 18%

% working in a job that doesn't use their education/training: 82%

2. Radio/Television & Film Production
% Underemployed: 48%

% of part-time workers who want to be full-time: 27%

% working in a job that doesn't use their education/training: 73%

3. Social Science
% Underemployed: 48%

% of part-time workers who want to be full-time: 16%

% working in a job that doesn't use their education/training: 85%

4. Health Sciences
% Underemployed: 47%

% of part-time workers who want to be full-time: 17%

% working in a job that doesn't use their education/training: 83%

5. Exercise Science
% Underemployed: 47%
% of part-time workers who want to be full-time: 31%
% working in a job that doesn't use their education/training: 70%

6. Health Care Management
% Underemployed: 46%

% of part-time workers who want to be full-time: 12%

% working in a job that doesn't use their education/training: 88%

7. Theater Arts
% Underemployed: 46%

% of part-time workers who want to be full-time: 20%

% working in a job that doesn't use their education/training: 80%

8. Criminal Justice
% Underemployed: 46%

% of part-time workers who want to be full-time: 12%

% working in a job that doesn't use their education/training: 88%

9. Art
% Underemployed: 45%

% of part-time workers who want to be full-time: 20%

% working in a job that doesn't use their education/training: 80%


10. Human Development & Family Studies
% Underemployed: 45%

% of part-time workers who want to be full-time: 25%

% working in a job that doesn't use their education/training: 75%

The 10 Most Underemployed Majors - In Photos: The 10 Most Underemployed College Majors Right Now - Forbes

I can definitely see why all of these have high underemployment rates. General science is too broad. There aren't many jobs in radio/television and film production that require a degree. Social science is too broad. Health science curricula vary widely, but the major tends to be very general. There is not much you can do with an exercise science degree. At least where I live, most school districts want coaches who can teach something other than P.E, and there aren't many openings for athletic trainers. Also, these exercise science programs may not meet state requirements for licensure as an athletic trainer or rehabilitation therapist, and you don't need a degree to become a personal trainer. From previous research, I've seen that a lot of health care management jobs require healthcare experience (usually nursing). If you've never worked as a healthcare provider, then you're going to have a hard time finding a job.

You don't need a degree to work in theater arts, and becoming successful in acting requires being in the right place at the right time. There are also not many teaching jobs in theater arts since it's just a middle and high school elective. Virtually no entry-level corrections jobs require a degree. Most police officer jobs do not require a degree, so criminal justice majors usually end up in jobs that don't require a degree. Parole/probation jobs are probably the most abundant occupations in the CJ field that require a degree, but most CJ majors do not want to work in community supervision. A lot of CJ majors also end up working as security guards and legal secretaries. I think the underemployment rates for art and human development & family studies are self-explanatory.

[Exfactor]

Not surprised with Exercise Science. My brother who has a B.S in Biology and a Masters in Exercise Science, had to intern with no pay for a division II football team for about 4 years, part time, with no pay (which is common), just to get experience in the field. He has recently landed a job with an SEC team, but the field is filled with people who know each other, and if you don't know someone or didn't graduate from a specific school gaining employment is rare. LSU graduates pretty much dominate the SEC in this regard.

Also not surprised to see the social sciences listed, I know for psychology that you will go no where if you don't have a masters, and you really need clinical experience to really do anything. So many people getting masters in psychology; just learning theory without having any clinical experience, which could expand your job offerings if you decided not to pursue a PHD.

[burbuja0512]

Unfortunately, what they don't tell you in college.. that we all know.. is that you need to be creative with your employment search in most cases. Well, unless your degree explicitly states what your job will be. For example, if you study physical therapy or pharmacy, odds are good that might be able to apply for a physical therapy or pharmacy position as long as you get the necessary certifiction.

It's sad because so many people naively spend thousands and don't have their dream job, but it's better to be realistic. Most people that I know in office jobs don't have a biz management degree, it's usually a random liberal arts degree where they've taken a job after college and turned it into a career. Look at most of us here who are getting our degrees as adults! We fell into something and been smart enough to manage without one. We're only getting it now either for personal fulfillment or because the job market is harder than it used to be.

Most of the above majors could really think of something related to their field, but if not, as I mentioned, get an office job and try to find your niche. A degree in many cases just says that you're smart enough to use a thesaurus and turn in papers on time. Once a job and niche are found, then a masters degree would really increase the job-seeker's value.


All of this applies except to theater and radio/film majors. I REALLY hate to say it, but we all know without any guidance counselor that these jobs are hard-fought. Even for those that get into a coveted position,they may make peanuts, but I don't have a lot of sympathy. To these guys I say, cut your losses. If theater/film/radio are really your passion, then you may have to either be broke or do it part time.

[sanantone]

Also not surprised to see the social sciences listed, I know for psychology that you will go no where if you don't have a masters, and you really need clinical experience to really do anything. So many people getting masters in psychology; just learning theory without having any clinical experience, which could expand your job offerings if you decided not to pursue a PHD.

Psychology is not on the list. They are specifically talking about a degree in social science.