I Choose This Degree...But Will I Ever Use It?

The Doubt No One Talks About

You chose this major. You signed up for the classes. You’re going through the motions, collecting grades and credit hours. But late at night, or between lectures, a quiet thought creeps in:

“Will I ever actually use this degree?”

If you’ve ever asked that question, you're not alone. Across campuses around the world, students are wrestling with doubts that go beyond textbooks and exams. In a world where careers change faster than curriculum's, and job titles barely resemble degree names, the traditional path from education to employment is being rewritten. And students are waking up to it.

What Students Are Really Wondering Now

Today's students are facing more than academic pressure. They're dealing with uncertainty, identity crises, and conflicting expectations. Some of the most common questions include:

1. What if I don’t want the career this degree leads to?
2. Can I switch paths later, or will I be stuck forever?
3. Should I follow my passion or pick a “safe” job?
4. Will AI replace my field?
5. Can I skip the corporate path and do something on my own?

These aren’t random worries. They reflect a growing disconnect between what we’re taught and what the real world demands.

Why So Many Graduates Don’t Use Their Degree

Studies show that only 27% of college graduates work in a field related to their degree (Federal Reserve, 2021). That means the majority of students pivot willingly or not.

Here’s why:

Interests evolve. What you loved at 18 might not excite you at 25.

Industries shift. Careers in UX design, AI, and digital media didn’t even exist a decade ago.

Theory ≠ Practicality. Many students graduate with academic knowledge but little industry-ready experience.

Financial pressure. Graduates often take the first available job, not the most ideal one.

Passion grows outside the classroom. Internships, freelancing, and personal projects often open new doors.

In reality, life rarely unfolds according to a four-year plan.

The Psychology of Career Uncertainty

This disconnect leads to more than confusion it causes emotional fatigue. Psychologist Barry Schwartz’s “Paradox of Choice” explains how too many options can leave people paralyzed.

Students face this every day:

• Fear of making the wrong decision
• Guilt over wasted time or money
• Pressure to succeed quickly
• Comparison with peers on social media
• The result? Silent anxiety that few talk about but many feel.

Real Stories That Break the Mold

1. Plenty of well-known individuals found success outside of what they studied:
2. Howard Schultz, Starbucks CEO, studied communications.
3. Natalie Portman earned a psychology degree while becoming an Oscar-winning actress.
4. Steve Jobs dropped out and studied calligraphy, which influenced Apple’s design ethos.

Many self-taught coders, designers, and creators now lead in their industries without a traditional degree.

Your path doesn’t have to be linear — and it doesn't have to match your major.

The Modern Career Is a Puzzle, Not a Ladder

We were taught that life follows a ladder:

Study → Graduate → Job → Promotion → Retirement.

But today’s careers look more like puzzles — assembled through side projects, online learning, internships, detours, and reinventions.

It’s no longer about choosing one right path — it’s about building something that fits who you are becoming.

What You Can Do Right Now

If you're feeling unsure about your future, here are some powerful steps:

Start experimenting. Freelance, intern, build a side project — even unpaid experience helps.

Learn outside school. Explore platforms like Coursera, YouTube, and Udemy to gain real-world skills.

Talk to people in the field. Conversations with professionals are often more valuable than lectures.

Don’t fear a pivot. Switching paths is growth, not failure.

Build transferable skills. Communication, problem-solving, and adaptability apply everywhere.

Final Thought: You Are More Than Your Major

If you’re doubting your degree — you’re not broken. You’re aware. You’re growing. You’re paying attention.

In a fast-changing world, the most powerful move isn’t to follow a script — it’s to write your own. And your degree? It’s a tool, not a life sentence.

So the next time you think:

“I chose this degree… but will I ever use it?”

Remember:

It’s not the degree that defines your future.

It’s what you do beyond it that truly matters.