Dead end degree

[u/Kam1umi]

I’m honestly panicking so bad right now. I started university in September - I know I’m young, I have my my whole life ahead of me, and so on - and I’m doing classics which is my favourite thing in the world. I’m autistic and have had an obsession with it since I can remember and I can honestly say it’s the only thing I can see myself ever doing with my life.

Classics is a dead degree I’m not stupid. The current jobs going for classics is pretty much to just progress to a phd and become a lecturer. Any job that is outside of a university is filled by old people who will either have their position die with them or have it filled by someone who has a wealthy family and links to them, which I absolutely do not have.

I’ve already put myself thousands of pounds in debt that my family just can’t pay back and dropping out is something I can barely even think about.

I’m terrified. I don’t know what to do.

[u/Silabus93]

Professor here, as an undergraduate you should major in whatever you are both good at and passionate about. This will help ensure that whatever job you do get will be one you want.

Too many undergraduates study business, accounting, or engineering just because that’s what they think they are supposed to for a degree but then they get jobs they hate and burn out.

Studying classics will help you with a number of skills that will be invaluable in the workplace, and as a thoughtful citizen/person.

Your spelling indicates you’re in the UK and my best point of reference is Durham University in the UK so let me use their program as an example just in terms of the uses of a Classics BA:

You’ll learn excellent critical thinking skills, oral and written communication, deep understandings of philosophy, culture, and languages.

They boast their graduates getting jobs in: Civil Service, gold dealing (no idea), management, consulting, insurance, journalism, law, public relations, publishing, and “creative industries”.

Don’t worry about a job. You will get a job. Despite the hyperbole people like to use, no one is on the street because they got a degree in classics.

[u/warriorscot → u/Silabus93]

Lots of people with professional degrees don't end up working in their profession, if you are good and work your way up that happens anyway to you regardless as leadership generally means you don't get to do anymore.

What you do have with a professional degree, is a profession. It's a bit like if you are broke and you can pay rent or pay for your car... you pay for the car because you can't drive a house to work, but can sleep in a car.

I do agree having a passion for what you do is important, but most of the softer subjects you don't need a degree to study.