Arts Degree Useless? (Solved & Explained)

Thinking about pursuing an Arts Degree and wondering if it is worth it?

Maybe just curious to understand if Arts Degrees at Useless?

So are Arts Degree Useless?

Arts degrees are not useless because they lead to interesting and well-paying careers in fields such as media, teaching, marketing, advertising, and psychology, to name a few.

So what is a Bachelor of Arts?

Arts degree typically involves courses in languages (German, French, Spanish, etc) history, English, marketing, media, communications, sociology, psychology, music, geography, journalism, and politics.

Courses offered by institutions will vary, some offer more whilst others offer less.

You will also find some Courses offered as minor or as a major.

If you want to continue researching the subject of your undergraduate degree, or if you want to start a career in academia or research, you should do so.

Enrolment in a one-year Honours program is usually the first step after completing a Bachelor of Arts.

This may be followed by a Master’s or Doctorate. Strong performance in these research degrees can help prepare you for a career.

Here are some popular career paths for students who complete a Bachelor of Arts.

1. Media & Communications ($61,310)

By majoring in Media and Communications, you will gain practical vocational skills as well as conceptual, strategic, creative, and critical thinking abilities that will help you land a job as Corporate Communications Strategist. Public Relations, Filmmaker, Animator, Brandmaker, or Journalist.

The median annual wage for media and communication occupations (such as announcers, interpreters and translators, and technical writers) was $61,310 in May 2020, which was higher than the median annual wage for all occupations of $41,950.

Employment in media and communication occupations is projected to grow 4 percent from 2019 to 2029, about as fast as the average for all occupations, and will result in about 46,200 new jobs.

Demand for media and communication occupations is expected to arise from the need to create, edit, translate, and disseminate information through a variety of different platforms.

2.Teacher ($62,780 to $80,790)

Teaching degrees offer numerous carer paths ranging from traditional teaching roles to Private tutoring, Youth worker to Human Resources.

Below are your typical Teaching roles and what you can expect.

High School Teacher ($62,870)

High school teachers teach academic lessons and various skills that students will need to attend college and enter the job market.

High school teachers typically do the following:

Plan lessons and instruct their students in the subject they teach
Assess students’ abilities, strengths, and weaknesses
Adapt lessons to changes in class size
Grade students’ assignments and exams
Communicate with parents about students’ progress
Work with individual students to challenge them and improve their abilities
Prepare students for standardized tests required by the state
Develop and enforce classroom rules and administrative policies
Supervise students outside of the classroom—for example, during lunchtime or detention

The median annual wage for high school teachers was $62,870 in May 2020.

The employment of high school teachers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2019 to 2029, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Rising student enrolment should increase the demand for high school teachers.

High school teachers typically have at least a bachelor’s degree. In addition, public school teachers must have a state-issued certification or license, which may require an academic background in the subject(s) they will be certified to teach.

Post Secondary ($80,790)

Postsecondary teachers instruct students in a variety of academic subjects beyond the high school level.

Postsecondary teachers typically do the following:

Develop an instructional plan (known as a course outline or syllabus) for the course(s) they teach and ensure that it meets college and department standards
Plan lessons and assignments
Teach courses in their subject area
Assess students’ progress by grading assignments, papers, exams, and other work
Advise students about which courses to take and how to achieve their goals
Work with colleagues to develop or modify the curriculum for a degree or certificate program involving in-person, online, or hybrid delivery of course material
Stay informed about changes and innovations in their field
Serve on academic or administrative committees, as needed

The median annual wage for postsecondary teachers was $80,790 in May 2020.

Educational requirements vary by subject and the type of educational institution. Typically, postsecondary teachers must have a Ph.D.

However, a master’s degree may be enough for some postsecondary teachers at community colleges, and others may need work experience in their field of expertise.

Overall employment of postsecondary teachers is projected to grow 9 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. Projected employment growth varies by academic field.

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You’ve gained valuable transferrable skills during your teaching career that could help you thrive elsewhere, such as in an HR function. This job entails inspiring others to use their skills in the workplace – such roles necessitate good interpersonal skills as well as a lot of enthusiasm.

3. Advertising, Promotions, or Marketing ($133,460)

Advertising, promotions, and marketing managers plan programs to generate interest in products or services.

Advertising, promotions, and marketing managers typically do the following:

Work with department heads or staff to discuss topics such as budgets and contracts, marketing plans, and the selection of advertising media
Plan promotional campaigns such as contests, coupons, or giveaways
Plan advertising campaigns, including which media to advertise in, such as radio, television, print, online media, and billboards
Negotiate advertising contracts
Evaluate the look and feel of websites used in campaigns or layouts, which are sketches or plans for an advertisement
Initiate market research studies and analyze their findings to understand customer and market opportunities for businesses
Develop pricing strategies for products or services marketed to the target customers
Meet with clients to provide marketing or related advice
Direct the hiring of advertising, promotions, and marketing staff and oversee their daily activities

A bachelor’s degree is required for most advertising, promotions, and marketing management positions. These managers typically have work experience in advertising, marketing, promotions, or sales.

The good news is the median annual wage for advertising and promotions managers was $133,460 in May 2020.

Overall employment of advertising, promotions and marketing managers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2019 to 2029, faster than the average for all occupations.

Advertising, promotions, and marketing campaigns will continue to be essential for organizations as they seek to maintain and expand their share of the market.

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4. Psychologist ($82,180)

Psychology assists people in large part because it can explain why people behave in the way they do.

A psychologist with this level of professional insight can help people improve their decision-making, stress management, and behavior by understanding past behavior to better predict future behavior.

Careers in psychology can be found in a wide range of fields, including health care and public service, as well as education, business, and technology.

Psychologists typically do the following:

Conduct scientific studies of behavior and brain function
Observe, interview, and survey individuals
Identify psychological, emotional, behavioral, or organizational issues and diagnose disorders
Research and identify behavioral or emotional patterns
Test for patterns that will help them better understand and predict behavior
Discuss the treatment of problems with clients
Write articles, research papers, and reports to share findings and educate others
Supervise interns, clinicians, and counseling professionals

Psychologists typically need a doctoral degree in psychology, and a master’s degree is sufficient for some positions. Most psychologists also need a license.

The median annual wage for psychologists was $82,180 in May 2020.

The employment of psychologists is projected to grow 3 percent from 2019 to 2029, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Job prospects should be best for those who have a doctoral degree in an applied specialty.

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5. Sociologist ($86,110)

Sociologists study society and social behavior by examining the groups, cultures, organizations, social institutions, and processes that develop when people interact and work together.

A degree in sociology opens the door to a variety of careers in fields such as welfare, education, social research, and local and central government.

Sociologists typically do the following:

Design research projects to test theories about social issues
Collect data through surveys, observations, interviews, and other sources
Analyze and conclude data
Prepare reports, articles, or presentations detailing their research findings
Collaborate with and advise other social scientists, policymakers, or other groups on research findings and sociological issues

The median annual wage for sociologists was $86,110 in May 2020.

Sociologists typically need a master’s degree or Ph.D. There are two types of sociology master’s degree programs: traditional programs and applied clinical, and professional programs.

Traditional programs prepare students to enter a Ph.D. program. Applied, clinical, and professional programs prepare students to enter the workplace, teaching them the necessary analytical skills to perform sociological research in a professional setting.

The employment of sociologists is projected to grow 4 percent from 2019 to 2029, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Sociologists can expect strong competition because sociology is a popular field of study with a relatively small number of positions.

Final Thoughts

Bachelor of Arts is not a useless degree as it offers interesting, well-paying, and in-demand career paths.

Studying Bachelor of Arts is worthwhile and will prepare you for a wide range of career opportunities

It is critical to align what studies are required when deciding on a career path.

Reference

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov)