Jobs You Can Get With A Useless Degree (In-Depth Guide)
Many people worry that their college major or degree will limit their career options after graduation.
However, even degrees considered “useless” by some can lead to fulfilling and lucrative careers when paired with the right experience, soft skills, and strategy.
Myth 1: There Are No Jobs for My Degree
It’s a common myth that certain college majors lead to no job prospects.
The truth is that while your major does connect you to some careers more than others, soft skills developed in school transfer widely.
For example, English majors strengthen communication abilities like writing and editing that apply to marketing, journalism, law, and more.
Psychology develops analysis of human behavior valuable for social work, HR, therapy, and teaching roles.
Instead of limiting yourself to degree-related fields only, focus on skills built through coursework and how they add value to employers.
Myth 2: My Degree Pigeonholes Me
Another misconception is that a perceived “useless” degree pigeonholes you into one career path.
In reality, your major simply provides a foundation of transferable abilities that qualify you for many openings.
History majors, for example, research, analyze information to separate fact from fiction, see different perspectives–all assets to law, policy, education, and business.
Rather than silo yourself, create a list of versatile strengths your major has provided. This reframing opens more opportunities.
Industries Valuing Transferable Skills
While your major won’t limit options, pinpointing fields valuing taught abilities helps the job search.
Areas consistently hiring those with versatile “soft” skills include:
Business
Business needs employees to identify consumer insights, spot marketplace patterns, communicate effectively, and enhance or overhaul company practices.
Liberal arts majors bring fresh eyes and outside-the-box thinking.
Marketing
Like business, marketing requires understanding people and culture, writing compelling content, unpacking data, and conveying information creatively to diverse groups.
Law
Law firms and legal departments seek those able to analyze policies, construct persuasive arguments, write clearly, and grasp nuance–hallmarks of liberal arts education.
Government
Local, state, and federal government groups need personnel to research issues, assess public sentiment, communicate policies, and problem-solve community needs.
Education
Teaching at all levels draws on humanities and social science majors to understand childhood development, relay complex insights simply, develop curricula, and mentor students.
Nonprofits
Charities and social justice nonprofits require skills like building public goodwill, event planning, writing persuasively for fundraising, and creatively tackling social issues on a budget.
Tips to Make Your “Useless” Degree Work
While many avenues exist for those with well-rounded liberal arts degrees, effectively communicating transferable abilities is key.
These tips can help your resume stand out:
1. Spotlight Soft Skills
Rather than focusing solely on academic credentials, devote resume real estate to versatile competencies gained.
These include communication, critical thinking, analysis, complex problem solving, research, creativity, cultural awareness, and more.
Back skills up with examples like “Developed strong written skills drafting 20-page research reports on tight deadlines” or “Enhanced cultural sensitivity through immersive language acquisition studying abroad.”
2. Show Don’t Tell
Anyone can claim “excellent communication abilities!” on a resume.
Stand out by demonstrating them through quantified achievements like “Wrote fundraising campaign materials mailed to 5,000 donors resulting in $20K raised” or “Built rapport with 300+ student advisees to provide academic and personal support.”
3. Include Transferable Course Highlights
Listing related coursework drives home versatility gained through academics.
Rather than a generic “Relevant Coursework” section, try headings like “Communication Skills Training,” “Research Experience” or “Process Improvement Coursework.”
4. Choose Targeted Internships
Internships allow you to gain experience in desired career fields, build connections, and add related achievements to your resume.
Make them count by interning with organizations aligned to target roles post-graduation.
5. Reframe Your Degree
If your major has a negative stereotype like art, drama, or women’s studies, proactively reframe it.
The skills sound more versatile as “Creativity & Design,” “Oral Communication,” or “Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.”
6. Network Strategically
Attend industry events, trade organization mixers, alumni functions and follow companies you admire on social media.
Identify key players and request informational interviews to learn more about opportunities.
7. Seek Skills-Adjacent Roles
Rather than hoping for long-shot openings requiring your exact degree, apply to transitional jobs allowing you to first demonstrate versatile abilities from school.
For example, English majors could seek roles as technical writers, copywriters, instructional designers or content managers–building a resume to later qualify for creative director type positions.
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
If you feel worried about leveraging your liberal arts degree, know that many before you have succeeded by reframing abilities and being strategic.
Here are answers to common questions:
What types of skills do liberal arts majors gain?
Typical strengths include communication, critical thinking, analysis, complex problem solving, research, creativity, relationship building, cultural awareness and more.
What jobs can I get with an English/Philosophy/History degree?
Common options include writer, editor, researcher, paralegal, teacher, librarian, marketing, public relations, fundraising, recruiter, consultant and positions in law, government, nonprofits and education.
How can I make my liberal arts resume stand out?
Spotlight transferable skills gained through coursework, highlight related internships, include relevant classes, network strategically and reframe abilities aligned to roles you want.
What entry-level jobs help transition to target career fields?
Think skills-adjacent rather than tied to an exact major.
English majors could seek technical writer or copywriter roles building to creative directing.
Psychology majors could try recruiting or market research before therapy.
Should I return to school for a more “useful” degree?
Rather than time and money on an additional degree, optimize your current major’s versatility.
Experience and targeted internships also count more than extra schooling to many employers.
How can I explain my liberal arts degree on interviews?
Reframe it in terms of core competencies gained applicable to the role at hand.
Rather than “I have an English degree” say “I honed strong written and oral communication abilities highly valued in this field.”
The key is remembering your major simply provides a starting point through transferable skills taught.
With the right experience, framing and job search strategy, those with liberal arts degrees can thrive in business, law, government, nonprofits and beyond.
Evaluate abilities gained through your academics and determine how they add value to target employers.
Sell skills strategically while seeking opportunities allowing you to first get a foot in the door.
With an empowered mindset and savvy job search, you can build a fulfilling career–even with a “useless” degree.
What are the most versatile majors and degrees?
Some of the most versatile majors providing transferable skills include English, history, philosophy, psychology, sociology, anthropology, communications, fine arts and foreign languages.
What jobs can I get with a fine arts degree?
Graphic designer, photographer, animator, gallery assistant, art therapist, set designer, illustrator, web designer, creative director and positions in museums, auction houses, art nonprofits and more.
What jobs can I get with a foreign language degree?
Translator, interpreter, global marketing specialist, international business liaison, ESL teacher, cultural attache, professor, travel writer, international development roles and jobs abroad taking advantage of bilingual abilities.
What jobs can I get with a psychology degree?
Market researcher, behavioral analyst, academic advisor, career counselor, recruiter, public relations specialist, human resources manager and roles in mental health, social work, rehabilitation counseling and teaching.
What other tips help liberal arts majors transition to the workforce?
Complete internships allowing you to apply classroom skills to workplace settings, build a professional network making informational interviews a habit, seek mentorship from those in desired career fields and optimize your LinkedIn profile to be found by recruiters.
