Something funny caught my attention:
The University of Utah is offering a course on Feminist Cannabis Studies.
Then I asked myself: What kind of job can someone get with a degree like that?
As a point of reference, I know two people with degrees in philosophy. One is a barista and the other one is a waitress at a Latino restaurant. Conversely, I don’t know anyone with an engineering degree or accounting degrees working as a baristas or a waiters.
In today’s world, higher education is often sold as the golden ticket to a better life. Students are told to follow their passions and choose majors that resonate with their interests. While this sounds ideal in theory, in practice, some university majors offer little in terms of tangible career opportunities, leaving graduates burdened with debt and struggling to make ends meet.
One such example is the proliferation of niche and highly specialized degrees that cater to academic curiosity but fail to align with job market demands. A recent addition to this category is the University of Utah’s course offering, “Feminist Cannabis Studies.” This course supposedly explores cannabis history, prohibition, legalization, and how it intertwines with gender, race, and social justice. It delves into the cultural, medicinal, and political roles of cannabis, celebrating the contributions of marginalized communities, including queer and trans activists, in the cannabis movements. On the surface, this might sound like an intriguing fusion of social justice and the burgeoning cannabis industry. However, when we dig deeper, it’s hard to imagine how this specific degree could translate into a viable career path. Are companies clamoring to hire experts in “Feminist Cannabis Studies”? Likely not.
The Stark Reality
Graduates of such programs often find themselves underemployed, working jobs that have little or nothing to do with their field of study. It’s not uncommon to hear stories of degree-holders working at coffee shops or in retail while juggling student loan payments that can exceed hundreds of dollars a month. The financial strain is real, and the psychological toll of realizing that years of study and tens of thousands of dollars in tuition fees have not resulted in a stable career is devastating.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, nearly 40% of college graduates are underemployed, meaning they are working in jobs that do not require a college degree. Degrees in Gender Studies, Art History, and similarly niche disciplines are disproportionately represented in this category. While these fields may provide intellectual fulfillment, they often fail to offer the practical skills and connections necessary to secure well-paying jobs.
Misaligned Incentives
Universities bear a significant portion of the blame. Higher education institutions have a vested interest in enrolling as many students as possible, regardless of whether the programs they offer lead to successful careers. Courses like “Feminist Cannabis Studies” are designed to attract attention and generate revenue but do little to prepare students for the job market. These programs often exploit students’ genuine interests without providing them with a realistic understanding of their post-graduation prospects.
Meanwhile, employers are increasingly looking for candidates with degrees in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), healthcare, or business—areas that align with current economic needs. Students who invest in these degrees are far more likely to find employment and repay their loans.
The Debt Trap
Student debt in the United States has reached astronomical levels, surpassing $1.8 trillion. For many graduates of less marketable programs, this debt becomes a lifelong burden. Imagine a graduate with $50,000 in loans, earning $15 an hour as a barista. It’s a scenario that’s all too common, and it’s largely preventable.
Instead of encouraging students to pursue impractical degrees, universities should prioritize transparency. They should provide data on employment rates and average salaries for graduates of each program. Students deserve to make informed decisions about their education, especially when it comes with such a high price tag.
A Call for Change
While the academic freedom to study any subject is important, it should not come at the expense of financial stability. Universities must take responsibility for ensuring that their programs offer real value in the job market. Additionally, students must approach higher education with a critical eye, choosing majors that not only interest them but also offer solid career prospects.
Degrees like “Feminist Cannabis Studies” might make headlines, but they also highlight the absurdity of higher education’s current trajectory. It’s time for students, parents, and policymakers to demand accountability from universities. Education should empower individuals, not trap them in a cycle of debt and underemployment.
Do you think universities should be held accountable for offering degrees that don’t lead to viable careers, or is it up to students to make more practical choices? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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