I see your point, but I suspect there's more to it. For example, here are some college majors along with their growth relative to the overall college population. So, for example, 107 means the field has seen 107% of the growth that the overall college population has seen. I'm comparing 1970 and 2008 because that's what I've got...
First, a few items that probably support your thesis:
Area, ethnic, cultural and gender studies: 265
Liberal arts and sciences, general studies, and humanities: 584
Mathematics and statistics: -41
Parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies: 2,044
On the other hand, take a look at these:
Computer and information sciences: 1,644
Business: 222
Engineering: 59
Engineering technologies: 222
Security and protective services: 2,143
Legal professions and studies: 663
Education: -47
English language and literature/letters: -15
Health professions and related clinical sciences: 416
Anyway, the point is that kids are clearly studying things that are supposed to be able to get them jobs. The stories you hear about unemployed kids with $100,000 in debt and degrees in Underwater Basket Weaving are outliers, not the norm.
In fact, many of these kids are being intensely pragmatic. Frankly, even some of the things that appear in the upper section are questionable. For example, "liberal arts and sciences" probably includes things like Physics and Chemistry, which this community likely views as quite valuable.
First, a few items that probably support your thesis:
Area, ethnic, cultural and gender studies: 265 Liberal arts and sciences, general studies, and humanities: 584 Mathematics and statistics: -41 Parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies: 2,044
On the other hand, take a look at these:
Computer and information sciences: 1,644 Business: 222 Engineering: 59 Engineering technologies: 222 Security and protective services: 2,143 Legal professions and studies: 663 Education: -47 English language and literature/letters: -15 Health professions and related clinical sciences: 416
Anyway, the point is that kids are clearly studying things that are supposed to be able to get them jobs. The stories you hear about unemployed kids with $100,000 in debt and degrees in Underwater Basket Weaving are outliers, not the norm.
In fact, many of these kids are being intensely pragmatic. Frankly, even some of the things that appear in the upper section are questionable. For example, "liberal arts and sciences" probably includes things like Physics and Chemistry, which this community likely views as quite valuable.
Source: https://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d10/tables/dt10_282.asp?...