The Big Question Everyone’s Fighting About
You want to study the humanities. Your dad hears that and sees dollar signs flying out the window. Philosophy? History? Literature? In his mind, that’s four years of essays followed by a lifetime of explaining your job at family dinners. So… is he right? Or is there more to a humanities degree than the stereotypes?
What Even Counts As “The Humanities”?
Humanities degrees include subjects like history, philosophy, literature, languages, religious studies, cultural studies, and the arts. Basically, they focus on how humans think, create, communicate, and make meaning. If STEM is about how the world works, humanities are about why people do what they do inside that world.
Why Parents Freak Out About Humanities Degrees
Most parents grew up hearing one message: college equals job security. They were told practical degrees lead directly to careers, while humanities degrees lead to coffee shops and unpaid internships. That fear isn’t random—it’s tied to rising tuition, student debt, and scary headlines about “useless majors” going viral online.
The “Waste Of Money” Argument Explained
College is expensive, and that’s the strongest argument against any degree. Your dad may be thinking in pure return-on-investment terms: how fast will you get a job, and how much will it pay? Humanities careers aren’t always obvious or immediate, which makes them look risky compared to engineering or nursing.
The Myth That Humanities Graduates Don’t Get Jobs
Here’s the truth bomb: humanities grads absolutely get jobs. They just don’t all get the same job. Many work in marketing, media, education, law, nonprofits, government, UX writing, policy, communications, HR, and more. The career paths are flexible, not nonexistent.
Skills Humanities Degrees Actually Teach You
Humanities majors build skills employers constantly say they want: critical thinking, clear writing, persuasive communication, research, ethical reasoning, and cultural awareness. These are transferable skills—meaning they work in lots of industries, not just one narrow field. Machines can calculate fast. Humans still need to think deeply.
Why These Skills Age Better Than Technical Ones
Specific technical skills can become outdated fast. Software changes. Tools evolve. But knowing how to analyze arguments, write well, and understand people? That stuff ages like fine wine. Humanities grads often adapt more easily when industries shift because their core skills aren’t tied to one tool or platform.
But What About The Salary Numbers?
Yes, some humanities majors earn less right out of college compared to certain STEM grads. That part is real. But long-term salary growth can be surprisingly strong, especially for those who move into management, law, consulting, or leadership roles. Income isn’t fixed at age 22—even if TikTok acts like it is.
The Difference Between “First Job” And “Career”
A lot of salary panic focuses on first jobs. But careers are marathons, not sprints. Many humanities grads start in entry-level roles and grow into higher-paying positions as their communication and leadership skills become more valuable. The first paycheck doesn’t define your entire future.
Humanities And Grad School: A Power Combo
Humanities degrees are common pathways into law school, public policy, journalism, academia, international relations, and even business school. If you’re considering grad school later, humanities can be an excellent foundation. They teach you how to read, argue, and write at a high level—skills grad programs demand.
Tony Webster, Wikimedia Commons
The Networking Factor Nobody Talks About
Success after college isn’t just about your major—it’s about internships, connections, and experience. Humanities students who intern, freelance, or work part-time during college often do very well. A “practical” major without experience can struggle just as much as a humanities major who never networks.
When A Humanities Degree Can Be A Bad Idea
Let’s be honest: if you expect a humanities degree alone to magically hand you a job, that’s unrealistic. If you hate writing, discussion, and reading, it’s also not for you. Humanities require engagement and initiative. Passive students—regardless of major—are the ones who struggle most.
Double Majors And Minors: A Smart Middle Ground
Many students pair humanities with something more technical or applied. Think philosophy plus computer science, history plus economics, English plus marketing. This combo can calm parental fears while giving you both practical tools and big-picture thinking skills. You don’t have to choose just one lane.
The Emotional Side Of This Argument
For a lot of parents, this isn’t really about your major. It’s about fear. They want you safe, stable, and not struggling the way they—or people they know—did. That fear can come out as criticism, even if it’s rooted in love and concern.
How College Has Changed Since Your Dad Went
The job market today is less linear than it used to be. People change careers more often. Job titles that exist now didn’t exist 20 years ago. Employers care less about your exact major and more about what you can actually do. Your dad’s advice may be outdated, not malicious.
Humanities In A World Run By AI
Ironically, the more automated the world becomes, the more valuable human-centered skills are. Ethics, storytelling, creativity, empathy, interpretation—these are areas where humans still dominate. Humanities help you understand the social impact of technology, not just how to build it.
Passion Versus Practicality Isn’t A Real Binary
This debate often gets framed as passion versus practicality, but that’s a false choice. You can be passionate and strategic at the same time. Studying something you care about can actually make you more motivated, more engaged, and more likely to succeed than forcing yourself into a major you hate.
What Employers Actually Say They Want
Surveys consistently show employers value communication, adaptability, teamwork, and problem-solving. Those are humanities bread-and-butter skills. While job listings may ask for specific degrees, hiring decisions often come down to who can think clearly, learn fast, and communicate well on the job.
The Real Cost Of A Degree Isn’t Just Money
There’s also the cost of burnout, disengagement, and regret. Spending four years miserable in a major you chose to please someone else can take a real emotional toll. College is intense. Studying something you find meaningful can make that experience more sustainable and fulfilling.
How To Make A Humanities Degree Work For You
If you choose humanities, go in with a plan. Intern early. Build a portfolio. Learn complementary skills like data analysis, design, or coding. Talk to professors. Use career services. The degree opens doors—but you still have to walk through them intentionally.
Talking To Your Dad Without Starting A War
Instead of arguing feelings, talk strategy. Show him potential career paths. Share salary data beyond first jobs. Explain how you plan to gain experience. Parents often calm down when they see you’ve thought things through instead of just “following a vibe.”
Stories Of Humanities Majors Who Thrived
Plenty of CEOs, lawyers, journalists, policy makers, and creatives studied humanities. Famous examples exist, but so do everyday ones: project managers, consultants, editors, nonprofit directors. You don’t hear about them because “English Major With Stable Career” isn’t clickbait.
Giles Laurent, Wikimedia Commons
Why Society Still Needs Humanities
Beyond jobs, humanities help societies think critically, preserve culture, challenge power, and ask ethical questions. Democracies, social movements, and cultural progress rely on people who can analyze ideas and communicate them effectively. That work has real value—even if it’s harder to quantify.
The Question You Should Really Be Asking
The real question isn’t “Is a humanities degree useless?” It’s “How will I use this degree?” Any major can be powerful or pointless depending on effort, planning, and follow-through. The degree is a tool, not a guarantee.
So… Is Your Dad Right?
Not exactly—but he’s not totally wrong either. Humanities degrees aren’t automatic money printers, and pretending they are doesn’t help anyone. But they’re far from a waste of time or money when paired with intention, experience, and realistic planning.
Choosing Your Path Without Losing Your Mind
You’re allowed to care about money and meaning. You’re allowed to listen to your dad without letting fear decide your life. A humanities degree can be a smart, fulfilling choice—if you own it. The key isn’t proving your dad wrong. It’s building a future you can actually live with.
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