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/lit/ - Literature

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11755415 No.11755415 [Reply] [Original]

Did anyone here actually major in something like English or Philosophy? Do you regret it? I'm asking because I've just started university and am starting to feel like I've made a horrible mistake

>> No.11755471

Depends what you're looking for and why you're doing it. Job prospects aren't great, but then again it depends on your prospects before (this can be ignored if you go to a really prestigious university because then your specific degree doesn't matter). If it's for learning then thats going to work on a case by case basis yet again. Courses/modules are going to depend on your university. You can teach yourself to undergraduate easily, but university gives you the chance to meet people in the field and interested peers.

Why do you feel regret? What are you bothered about?

>> No.11755479

Yikes

>> No.11755568

>>11755471
I go to the top school in Canada (though I don't think that would matter much). I guess it's just because everyone I know is in some sort of science or political science/econ, and every new interaction I have ends up with me feeling shitty about studying what I'm studying, as if it's a waste of time. I guess it's my low self-esteem making me feel like what I'm doing is basically worthless and I should go be a welder or something. I just made this thread because I wanted to hear about other peoples experiences doing humanities degrees and how they dealt with the stigma around it that there seems to be these days

>> No.11755583

>>11755415
Philosophy is great tier.
English is shit tier.

>> No.11755751

>>11755415
Math and CS

>> No.11755768

Theater. Yes. Don't get a BA, they're completely worthless

>> No.11755772

>>11755415
I plan to go to school for theology

>> No.11755775

>>11755415
Google George Anderson OP. Lots of books this new school year about liberal arts educations from tech CEOs

>> No.11755784

>>11755568

I studied philosophy and comp sci at a low tier Canadian university.

I have a lot of BA bros who still work at canadian tire or are baristas.

I have a lot of CS bros who make 80k CAD like me.

Guess who is happier?

>> No.11755805

>>11755784

Moreover, if you're at uow you're passing up a huge career opportunity. CS grads from uow can name their price and work wherever the fuck they want. I had to bust balls to get to where I'm at.

>> No.11755832

I did philosophy here in the UK and absolutely loved it. There's much less stigma about humanities courses over here, especially in regards to philosophy. Saying you did philosophy usually gets reactions of "Ooh, shit."

I adored my time at university. We were almost all mates in the department, which didn't come without its cliques, issues, massive fallouts and so on and so forth; but it did allow for the most important part, which was discussion.

Everyone was touched by philosophy in their own personal way by the end of it all, which is a really important part of a humanities degree - what *you* will get from it.
Anyone hoping to contribute in meaningful ways can throw themselves onto the pile of unread PhDs. The humanities are, in my opinion, a personal endeavour through the medium of a public conversation over time.

So yeah, I'd say - have a great time and enjoy it.

Also re: job prospects, I'm working a fantastic but awfully paid job in a book shop one year after graduating, but a lot of my mates are going into cool places and I'm applying to some really cool jobs right now. Lots of opportunities in the bizzness world are available if you wanna take them with a humanities degree imo (especially philo).

>> No.11755843

>>11755784
>Guess who is happier?
Since money beyond the ability to afford food and shelter is irrelevant to happiness, I've no idea. You tell me.

>> No.11755880

>>11755583
the reverse of this is true.

>> No.11755893

>>11755415
History here, also Britbong. And no, no regrets, it was a good time and I don't feel it hampered me. In my experience, outside of jobs that require specialist degrees or maths-heavy ones, employers don't really care what degree you have and care more about what university and whether you have experience in some other way (eg internships). I assume jobs needing maths pay more overall, but I was never good at maths anyway.

Only downside is the way that studying history stripped away any certainties I had and replaced them with nothing but doubts.

>> No.11755925

>>11755843

Enjoy your flat with a room mate or two, public transit, inability to have any novel experiences aside from your work routine, lack of attention from the sex of your preference, and the disrespect of society as a whole.

>> No.11755933

>>11755568
I studied English and PoliSci at a top US school, I'm now at the top law school in Canada.

I regret not studying Economics. If you wanna do a meme degree just do one and then add on a practical double-major like CS or Econ.

I have thought about this a lot.

>> No.11755952

>>11755925
CS major here, live in California, dating a pretty hot girl but it's a little rocky atm, either way I'm pretty happy

CS is more looked down upon than English majors? By who, English majors?

>> No.11756115

For those planning to go to school to get a meme degree, don't. Get a trade or start a company. If you really want to go to university, get a real degree, and in your electives take history/pols/psych courses. Or just read that shit on your own time.

>> No.11756166

>>11756115
And what would a "real" degree be to you? STEM is also a meme, might as well do what you're interested in

>> No.11756286

I'm an English major and wish I studied philosopy.

>> No.11756308

Did a double major in English and Philosophy. I don't regret it at all but I also left school with only $5K in debt because university is cheap where I live and they give grants to poors like me.

Now I work as a cabinet maker, earn decent money, and enjoy the work. I'm not disappointed that I don't work in my field of study because I really wanted to be a cabinet maker since high school and I only went to university because I was interested in learning and my family members are elitists who don't respect anyone without a university degree.

I saw university as an opportunity to study something interesting for 4 years without having any other commitments. Obviously that's a kind of luxury but if you have the opportunity to do it without taking on crushing debt I think it's worth it. I suppose I could have educated myself to the same level on my own just by reading books and stuff, but it would have taken at least a decade longer.

Now I am in a position to read the books I'm interested in without having 90% of it go over my head, and I'm in a better place to educate myself further. Which I think is worth $5K, but obviously there's a limit to its value, and I can't say I'd be happy with my decision if I spent 50K or more at some fancy private institution.

>> No.11756531

>>11755415
Philosophy is not for everyone.

>> No.11756543

>>11755568
mcmaster, uoft, or mcgill?

If money isn't a major concern then just do it. I majored in music and now work as a marketing manager in publishing making much more money than any of my colleagues in school. I don't even play much anymore, the paper just gets you in the door. Especially if you're in the humanities, spend your time networking and working on professional relationships

>> No.11756571

>>11755415
I majored in philosophy and my friend majored in finance

I came from a very poor family of drug addicts who have taken thousands of dollars from me. I currently am not in a living situation that I like, and havent been for a few years, because of them. I am still working towards an MA/PHD in philosophy, with the ultimate realistic goal teaching philosophy in CC while doing research on the side. Currently waiting to get my substitute teaching application through, where Ill be making 30 an hour which is by far the most Ive made in my life. I honestly dont know what it will be like

My friend came from a well off but foreign family and currently works for the federal reserve in SF

Im the happiest person I know and can say its because of philosophy, and I have to constantly talk my friend out of killing himself weekly. He is constantly vomiting from the stress he induces on himself and he has no real use for the money he makes and doesnt know what he wants in life. Its very depressing to see him turn into this because he is sharp and clever, but just cant stop getting in his own way

Not everyone is going to be like this and philosophy may be a horrible choice for you. It depends on your particular situation though

>> No.11757188

>>11755768
Theater and English BA here

Where did you go to school?

>> No.11757203

>>11756308
Based

>> No.11757290
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11757290

>>11755415
I majored in French lit and film studies
French lit was a great experience, would do it over again in a heartbeat. Small class sizes with knowledgable, passionate professors.

Film studies not so much. Film departments at universities, even at the ivy I went to, just aren't that great yet. Professors, usually good ones, lectured to large classes but then we were split up for discussion led by grad students who knew less about movies than the students, and conversation usually devolved into "what commercial/recent feminist movie can we link this to". I would have done an english major instead of film if I did it over again, even though I'm now working in film and I like it more as a medium.

OP you will be fine, studying what you enjoy isn't taking nearly as big a risk as you think. What is taking a risk is doing a STEM major you hate and waking up 15 years from now realizing you've wasted your prime years in a cycle of making and spending money you don't need.

>> No.11757312

>>11755415
Philosophy can lead to a high-paying job. It lays a strong groundwork for consulting or law school. But only analytic philosophy. Continental is garbage and will put you straight into barista-mode.

>> No.11757449

>>11755568
>everyone I know
>the stigma around it
>etc.

The stupidest thing you could do would be to choose your major based on what you think other people want. If you want to do Philosophy and English, do it, it's just for your own sake. And you say everyone you know is in STEM, well then make friends in your classes and/or join related clubs. By surrounding yourself with people in the humanities you'll feel more validated in your decision (not that that's necessary) and you'll probably enjoy yourself more cause you can have meaningful conversations with them.

>> No.11757486

>>11755784
I'd be weary of a CS major. It's not that rare for people to get fired at 40 or 50 and just replaced with new graduates.

>> No.11757548

>>11755415
yes I double majored in both at one of the highest ranking unis in my country. All you get out of it is the feeling of disdain when reading posts on /lit/. At least you won't be absolutely clueless like most STEM students, who end up exhausted, rich and suicidal

Seriously though, if you're looking to be a more learned (and generally better) person, then it's a pretty good path. If you want financial security then just do some IT degree

>> No.11757557

>people still falling for the STEM degree meme

Honestly unbelievable

>> No.11757661

>>11755415
From the research I did in high school, the unemployment rates aren't as bad as one may think. Not saying the job you'll get will pay well or even be related to your major, simply that I don't it'll ruin your life. just DON'T get student loans because that debt will NEVER go away!!! some kid I knew went 200k in debt at some liberal arts college and he's fucked for the rest of his life.

>> No.11757724

>>11755568
I majored in German studies, it's slightly better off than English because less people study it but it's still in no way a guaranteed job. University is full of people who think what they're studying is the better choice, or at least that's what they say (because no one is gonna let their angst shine through to a classmate in front of whom they're trying to feel composed). I've as little self-esteem as the next, and I've had my fair share of doubts, but at one point during my MA I stopped worrying. When you talk to people on campus today, you get the feeling everyone's got an idea of what they're doing and where they're going (and everyone is apparently always going somewhere) but this is #metoo bullshit where everyone wants to be a snowflake with a purpose. Do not let yourself be fooled.
My genuine and unironic advice is to immerse yourself in Stirner. He did it for me and I even ended up writing my MA on him -- and as a subject for your thesis, Stirner doesn't exactly scream 'hire me!'

>> No.11757906

>>11756543
McGill. I'm getting a grant so money isn't a concern. This has been a pretty nice thread, thanks everybody

>> No.11757969

>>11757906
lol McGill isn't the top university in Canada, that's UofT

Macleans meme rankings mean nothing, especially when you're in the humanities

>> No.11758156

>>11755415
I went to McGill, too. I majored in mechanical engineering, however, mostly because I love science and technology, but also partly because of higher job security.
I really admire you for pursuing philosophy, anon. McGill is a great school, and I had some of my best memories there. Try to enjoy your life as a student while you are one, and don't worry so much about the future right now.
The only dispersion I have to cast on McGill, especially the Arts Faculty, is the extreme social justice warrior community. Watch out for it. The people I encountered from that community were some of the most ideological I'd ever come across in my life, regardless of how well intentioned they may had been.

>> No.11758182
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11758182

I majored in computer science and sort of enjoyed it at the time although I remember feeling very lonely. I'd spend hours in the lab and then come back to my dorm and play world of warcraft. I got a well paying job afterwards. I made money, I played video games, I jacked off to hentai.

Then a few years later I started smoking weed, reading more philosophical books, and listening to Jordan Peterson. I read the unabomber manifesto and started posting on /lit/ instead of lurking. I got a girlfriend. Now I deeply regret my choice of majoring in STEM. I guess the price of consciousness is regret. If I did it over again I would have either gone pure math (probably couldnt have hacked it though) or studied medieval literature and wrote short stories on the side. I also would have partied more in college instead of studying as hard as I did.

Students are being brainwashed on a massive scale by the government to major in STEM so that America doesnt lose its technological advantages over its competitors. This has been accomplished so completely that we now associate majoring in the humanities with economic failure. Our society is based around building widgets and bombs, and whatever hell we are driving towards is exactly what we deserve. Hopefully enough people start smoking weed so that this can be averted.

>> No.11758621

>>11757312
Or just get an econ or finance degree that lays an even better groundwork for consulting, law school, and a thousand other careers

>> No.11758657

>>11758621
Depends how much you are interested in philosophy compared to those subjects, obviously.

>> No.11758686

>>11758621
no, a phil degree is the best for law

assuming you study hard and take some logic courses you're set for law school and the lsat

>> No.11758700

>>11758182
what can you do with a pure maths degree in the 21st century?

>> No.11758709

>>11755843
This isn't true. Rather vast majority of people only feel satisfied when thay make as much or more than their peers. It's also extremely difficult to not include your parent's lifestyle in your peer-set. This is coincidentally one of the major harms that comes from mass national media--people beging to unconsciously include celebrities in their conceptual peer group, and so bevin to feel flawed and broken in comparison to the wealth and prestige they see on tv/internet.

>> No.11758719

>>11756166
Any degree for which you take on more debt than a year's worth of the average starting salary.

>> No.11759278

>>11757290
Is it possible to get into film and TV as an English major? I'm not going to an ivy, but I am going to school near a city with quite a significant media boom happening. I'd love to get on board as a film writer, though I know that's a very small shot.

>> No.11759336

>>11759278
getting into film/tv is all about connections really

>> No.11759362

>>11759336
Any tips on doing that?

>> No.11759410

>>11757486
>work as a programmer for 20 years
>not yet retired
What are you doing anon?

>>11755415
Are you paying for college? I don't know if Canada is as bad as US. Here pretty much all majors are a bad deal. The best plan for smart kids is learning to program by 16 and getting a job before you finish high school. Save (nearly) all your money; live slightly poorer than your friends. Study /lit/ on your own. Retire by 30. Homeschool your kids. Repeat in the next generation. (May need to adjust for the latest hot job.)
basically what I've done. My brother just got his first programming job, with no degree. So it is still doable.

>> No.11759431

>>11757557
This. So many people in STEM (students and faculty) are spiritually dead

>> No.11759654

>>11759410
School in Canada is almost as expensive as the US, though I'm lucky that I qualify for government aid from my province (because my parents are low-income), so my tuition is fully paid for, I just have to worry about housing and food

>> No.11760277

English BA and a Biblical Studies minor. No regrets. AMA

>> No.11760282

https://www.businessinsider.com/successful-people-with-english-majors-2013-5

>> No.11760283

>>11760277
Are you employed?

>> No.11760291

>>11755415
I'm currently an English major. I was in computer science but I was disenfranchised by the fact that I was terrible about it, the oversaturation of the field, and the elitist libertarian (by American standards) culture surrounding it, and possibly STEM as a whole. I would love to go to grad school, but my GPA is already beyond repair. I don't know what I'm going to do after college. Probably drink myself to death.

>> No.11760299

>>11760283
Tbh substituted for a bit, but landed a job teaching English. Working on my MA Ed because why not.

>> No.11760343

>>11759431
Most people are spiritually dead, especially in college. The only thing unique about STEM students is that they tend to be socially underdeveloped.

>> No.11760350

I graduated with a BA in English Literature. It didn't help me find a job at all. I work as a software developer now.

>> No.11760352

I minored in philosophy but it wasn't a general course, it was mostly about the "philosophy of" my major. I found it illuminating to realize how little people in my field proper actually think about the subject deeply, and instead just trade around heuristic jargon and technical slights of hand without a deep understanding of how my field "hangs together" with everything else.

However, the world is sadly run by normies, who don't have the slightest atom of comprehension or curiosity when it comes to philosophy or anything abstract. So no hiring people who found out about my educational background were moved by me taking this step.

>> No.11760364

>>11760350
How did you get a job as a software developer after getting a BA in English? I'm too deep in my meme degree to back out but I also want a real job.

>> No.11760375
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11760375

I wouldn't major in English unless you're an NPC bugman (though if you attend a top school in modern day Canada you almost certainly are). This isn't because of job prospects, though they are poor, but because you will be required to socialize and brown-nose and network for superficial and insincere recognition at a level that will drive any intelligent person insane. The only way that somebody who passes the mirror test could tolerate that meat grinder is if they are a sociopath, which (again) if you attend a top school in modern day Canada you almost certainly are.

>> No.11760396

>Philosophy or English.
Why not both; Psychology.

>> No.11760403

>>11760364
Kind of an interesting and long story how that happened.

Company I work for does these training cycles every now and then where they accept applicants based on an online aptitude test. The test never featured anything programming or technology related, it was more general knowledge. It had a reading comprehension part, two math parts (one general, one advanced) and then an optional logical puzzle part. From what I was told afterward, they don't really care about whether answers are correct or not, the test site monitors mouse and key inputs to track how you solve problems. Which is a relief since I never studied much math being an English major, so the advanced math section whooped my ass pretty hard. Had to google and use wolfram alpha for most of it and even then I had no way to be sure I was right, but I think that methodology is what they were looking for.

Anyway, I apparently passed that test and got an interview. They didn't even read my resume. The interview was, I found out, more of a formality to make sure I was a real person and not an asshole, somebody they would want to maybe hire if I passed the training course. Cycle lasted 20 weeks and was very intensive. They taught us full stack development from the ground up with a focus on agile methodology. I passed and was hired. A condition of the training was I had to sign a 2 year contract that went into affect if I was hired after, that stated I couldn't quit or work for another company, also I was stuck at a fixed wage. This was to recoup the cost of training me. After my 2 years were up they did a performance review, concluded I was full developer material, and hired me at 80k/y.

Definitely not how most people get into the tech industry, but after doing this I'm convinced that going to college to be a programmer is a scam.

>> No.11760440

>>11755415
Hey anon. I was being pressured in majoring in CS but my gut was telling me to do what I want, which was definitely not CS. So I decided to fuck it all and do what I want. So I decided to either study German, Russian, Philosophy or Political Sciences. I'll probably become a translator or a teacher and kill myself before I turn 30 anyways.

>> No.11760507
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11760507

>>11755805
>CS grads from uow can name their price and work wherever the fuck they want
This is a complete fucking LIE. I am a UWaterloo grad and I don't earn a good living at all. What matters is
>Luck
>Connections

If you're lucky enough to land the *right* co-ops when you are in first or second year you are basically set for life since you piggy back off that for everything else. If not, then you're fucked. If you don't have that to coast on, have good connections. My room mate (and best friend at the time) was in the same program and year as me, and we had pretty equivalent grades and work experience. He happens to get into a specific group for his capstone project with a couple of ballers with industry connects. They get ridiculous attention from all the profs for their project, they file patents, form a company after graduating, get bought by FANG, become millionaires, move to California and live the life.

I was literally a fuckin parallel mirror to this guy and I'm earning shit living in place where the cost of living goes up so fast I get poorer every year in spite of all my pay raises and bonuses.

The only real chance at extra-ordinary success you have from University is through opportunity from connections. Who you meet is random, so always push to socialize. But your degree itself isn't worth shit. Most large companies in tech don't even care if you have one before. No one looks at a degree and thinks "Hey this person spent 4+ years specializing in something and being rigorously tested on it" and everyone has a fucking degree now too.

Sorry for the rant, but degrees and university rep doesn't print money anymore.

>> No.11760510

>>11759654
>School in Canada is almost as expensive as the US
No it isn't, its not even close. What the fuck are you talking about? Depending on degree, in the US a single's semesters fees can be as much as we pay for our entire education. Let that sink in.

>> No.11760512

>>11755415
About to graduate with a BA in English. Despise academia. Hate corporate culture, too. Made a pretty terrible mistake. Unless you're at like a top 10 school, have plans for professorship, want to be a lawyer, or want to get into an MFA program, don't fuckin do it.
Oh and unless your family is rich and you don't have to worry about money too much.

>> No.11760543

>>11755415
If you're doing English at McGill I can give you the low-down since I no the department pretty well.

>> No.11760613

>>11760543
How is it?

>> No.11760625

>>11755568
Having a GF would definitely benefit you. Do you have a woman? Is there a special lady in your life you want to ask out but haven't made a move on yet?

>> No.11760641

university is for boomers

>> No.11760672

>>11760364
>>11760403
No degree or experience necessary. Create a github account. Start coding. It's like an artist's portfolio except it can actually get you a job.
Although, the better you network, the faster you'll get that job, >>11760507
isn't right. I know several people with no degree at all that have got on just fine.

>> No.11760699

>>11760672
It's possible to do it w/o a degree but that's not normal and you shouldn't base your future around hearsay and outlier results. For most people applying with no degree, you won't make it past HR and your skills will not be up to snuff

>> No.11760708

>>11755415
I'm from Toronto and I'm just starting uni as a history major. Where are you from?

>> No.11760722

graduated with bachelors in history intending to get a masters in library science as I wanted to be a librarian since I was a child

started working at a library and it was nothing like I thought it would be and I put in about two years of poorly paid misery there

now in trade school to become a programming and logic control electrician and should finish in about a year since I already have all the electives covered by the bachelors

have already met so many professors who know people or themselves are looking to hire students after they graduate and it is so unlike my experience in the liberal arts where finding jobs after graduating is a verboten topic

was truly summed up when I went to the graduation of my friend who got a masters in history and the commencement speaker endlessly talked about all the wonderful things people who had a history degree did such as becoming Olympic skiers, HR supervisors, investment bankers, ect..

Do the commencement speakers at graduations for mechanical engineering feel the need to talk about the great things past students have done that had nothing to with the degree?

Get out of the liberal arts while you still can and do STEM if you are a big brain niBBa or a trade if you are a brainlet like me.

>> No.11760725

>>11760708
The Toronto area as well. Are you going to UofT?

>> No.11760740

>>11760699
Sure, Mongolian pigeon fetishist board and all. But even if my experience is unusual, starting a coding portfolio is still a good idea. Look into it, but likely more important than a degree.

>> No.11760785

I'm probably going to get a meme life science degree. It could lead somewhere though, who knows. I don't really care because I plan on joining the military.

>> No.11761230

>>11760364

I do hiring at the software firm I work for.

Having a degree is nice. Having code I can look at is better. Having an app up I can log into and poke around is best.

I give 0 fucks if you have a degree with no Github, into the bin it goes. Also, if you call yourself 'advanced' or an 'expert' on your resume when you have no experience I also toss your resume because fuck you and your 'advanced' ms office proficiency or 'advanced' software architecting ability.

>> No.11761234

>>11760725
Nope. Going out of Toronto for first year but I might have to go to York in second year.

>> No.11761237

>>11760507
>If you're lucky enough to land the *right* co-ops when you are in first or second year you are basically set for life since you piggy back off that for everything else. If not, then you're fucked. If you don't have that to coast on, have good connections. My room mate (and best friend at the time) was in the same program and year as me, and we had pretty equivalent grades and work experience. He happens to get into a specific group for his capstone project with a couple of ballers with industry connects. They get ridiculous attention from all the profs for their project, they file patents, form a company after graduating, get bought by FANG, become millionaires, move to California and live the life.

I'm sorry man, but I work very close to Waterloo and have had a few jobs in industry. Everyone gets horny for UoW grads. *Everyone*.

>> No.11761326
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11761326

In order to study a meme degree without getting fucked by debt and being a wagecuck during college, I made decision of joining the Army National Guard.

They're paying 100% of my tuition for uni; University of Rhode Island which isn't the best school ever but fuck its free. On top of that, they gave me a huge enlistment bonus and im getting about $1000 a month just for being enrolled in school. Im going to be studying finance and either history or english.

Basically, I get to study a meme degree without worrying about debt or making money during college, and I'll have a business degree as a backup in case I can't find a /lit/ job. I might get fucking deployed at one point lmao but I'm an engineer so I probably won't die.

Is this the best way to go, lads?

>> No.11761391

Majored in English Lit with a minor in Latin American Studies. Spent 3 years in university on a free ride, then dropped out and went back to live with my parents for a few years. Enjoyed everything about my time in college, spent countless hours browsing the stacks, partied, had the longest and most meaningful relationship of my life thus far, surfed (California coast), made friends with many different people across disciplines (had a few friends in CS: they were treated like royalty, had 3 newly-built buildings, everyone had their own private office space where we could hang out, play video games and watch movies in the lobby), would invite professors to coffee after lectures just to talk about special topics.
I honestly wouldn't change anything about my experience. I don't remember why I dropped out, but I do remember that it felt like the right decision at the time. Currently working as a credit analyst; spent some time working as a legal secretary for a small law firm, in a payroll company, did some leg-work for a private investigator, shadowed a construction contractor. I'm honestly very happy with how life has turned out, but I'm the kind of person who has enjoyed the journey toward stability rather than having things clearly planned and outlined, so take that how you will.

>> No.11761419

>>11761234
How come? Why would you transfer to York? Just curious. I went to York and UofT.

>> No.11761838

Is it worth it to transfer to a different uni for computer science when im in my junior year and i am bad at math. currently computer information systems and i think the programming side of things is more interesting.

>> No.11761853

How important is money to you? If you want to have a summer home on a lake with a boat and jet skis then you should study something else.

>> No.11762138

>>11755832
You know you could've studied philosophy on your own instead of having to pay 9k/year? Uni is just a scam nowadays, long are the days in which it was an intellectual institution. I guess internet and easy access to millions of books took a part in it.

>> No.11762882

>>11760613
It's actually quite good if you seek out the right professors. People like Hickman are great modernists, and Nystrom is great if you're into Marxist literary theory. Overall I like it here.

>> No.11762898

>>11761391
did you feel that your lack of a degree was ever an obstacle? do you think you'll ever go back to finish it? I fucking hate university but I'm also terrified of dropping out and what career options there would be if I did. Do you think employers value "some college" any more than a high school diploma?

>> No.11762950

>>11755415
>>11755568
Do what you enjoy learning about my dude. Study something you that you'll be happy to be knowledgeable about even if it "leads nowhere". 90% of degrees are a total meme and all those STEM fags are going to hate themselves for choosing Ecology or Biochemistry when they end up as an accounting clerk making 1 dollar above minimum wage.

Speaking from experience btw. Don't become me.

>> No.11763014

>>11762138
You seem to be completely missing the actual scam. As long as your courses are good, you can learn far more by going to university than you could just from reading. The scam part is that most jobs now require a degree- so you're forced to pay for it just to compete with all the other people forced to pay for it, and the costs keep going up while the returns (chances of good employment) go down.

>> No.11763251

>>11757906
Celsius in the winter. The Word is a nice little bookshop, and don't be afraid of talking to Adrian, he seems standoffish but he's pretty nice.

>> No.11763315

>>11762898
It’s only and obstacle when you start measuring yourself up to everyone else. I went into university with the intention of learning all I could about the things that interested me. It’s far away from these people who talk about competition and getting into the right school, the right program, networking, getting the right job/internship out the gate, making $XXXK a year.
You could say dropping out was a waste, but 3 years of higher learning without any obligations was a luxury I could not have afforded on my own, and I appreciate the school giving me that privilege; but I dropped out the moment it stopped being fun.

>> No.11763475

>>11761838
Not really. Degrees don't matter to much in the dev field. You can just teach yourself and build a portfolio.

>> No.11763479

>>11761853
You can make plenty of money with any degree. Go to a prestigious institution, make connections and you're set.

>> No.11763899

>>11760375
Baste dualist psycho poster

>> No.11764115

>>11760440
i'm studying German. The prospect of being a translator is not the most thrilling

>> No.11764477

>>11756531
yes it is

>> No.11764519

Would it be manageable to get a philosophy degree exclusively to publish works? It doesn't really matter if my living conditions are nightmare-mode, just wondering if this would be possible without homelessness

>> No.11764628

>>11764519
Why even get the degree? Just write. If you are any good at it. if you aren't a degree won't help.

>> No.11764742

>>11760396
Psychology is cool but it's too specific for my liking. People don't look at a degree in Psychology and say "oh shit this guy can communicate pretty well," or, at least, not as often. If I want to Psychology later I'll just come back for a BS, but right now I wanna do English and do English shit.

>> No.11765035

Math and Phil double major here. Almost all my classes are logic and set theory. How jobless am I?

>> No.11765085

Doing Poli Sci and English here. See you in law school!

>> No.11765203

is sociology a good degree ?

>> No.11765931

>>11757557
tfw fell for the STEM meme

>> No.11766044

>>11755415
I regret the shit out of it. While the course wasn’t at all taxing, I feel the lessons were mundane and best and irrelevant at worst. I learnt more by doing one hour of work each week than I did throughout the entirety of my actual lectures.
I would only recommend English if you go to a top university and take complementary modules that differ from the subject.

>> No.11766048

>>11755479
Saying yikes is a big yikes

>> No.11766051

>>11755415
Senior in engineering here, I wish I could have studied philosophy. I think I'm gonna go for a second degree in philosophy.

>> No.11766058

>>11765035
If you go to a decent school and your GPA is 3.0+, you're gonna have a nice job.
(I highly suggest you go to grad school though and continue.)

>> No.11766104

>>11765035

You're pretty jobless bro, but if you happen to consent to work some scrub job and keep up good performance, you can move up a rung into living wage fairly quickly once the leadership (assuming competent leadership) realizes that you're sharp and add value.

t. math major and phil minor, did shit factory work and later worked as a scheduler for a bit, then grocery clerk--> manager. I still spend much of my free time studying the above.

>> No.11766272

English Education major with a double minor in film studies and Geography.

I loved my majors and minors and had so much fun with them. Now I teach four classes of English (2 juniors, 2 sophomore) and one Film as Lit class (mixed bag of grades)

I get to talk about and teach what I love pretty much everyday so it's not all that bad. I could be doing worse things.

>> No.11766427

>>11757290
>film departments at universities, even at the ivy I went to, just aren't that great yet.
am I correct in thinking that film studies (as with most 'x studies' departments) is just poor readings of material through various post-war French philosophers?

>> No.11766433

>>11760282
didn't click but i guarantee none of that had anything to do with English and everything to do with their alma mater and connections

>> No.11766436

>>11763315
That seems like a wonderful attitude to have. I went to university because I got good grades in high school and was expected to, but it's never been fun or fulfilling for me. I suppose I should try to enjoy the privilege of being here before I either drop out or graduate.

>> No.11766652

>>11766433
A lot of them are literal who universities.

>> No.11767024
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11767024

>>11755415
I majored in philosophy and am going to graduate in may. Don't do it. Study something that will get you a job, like computer programming. If you want to go and be a professor for philosophy or go to law school than go ahead. But trying to write and progress philosophy by submitting your works to journals is completely pointless and is just watered down as academics in general is.

That being said, I wouldnt have seen past a lot of the spooks in society without majoring in philosophy and beimg exposed to it. But you can always learn about philosophy on your own. Also most other philosophy majors are pseuds and have pre existing ideologies that they identify with, like a pseud would. I.e. im a nihilist, oh yeah i believe in utilitarianism, like wow nothing matters but im a vegan moral reasons.

Study something im STEM and dont fall for the memes other humanities majors spout glorifying being poor after graduation, cause they dont know ehat its like. Study STEM and do a minor in philosophy so you dont become a brainlet and will have more options for a comfortable living when you graduate.

An engineer or physics major has a lot more options after graduation, philosophy majors dont. Anyone can apply for law school.

>> No.11767041

>>11761326
Should have just enlisted and then go to college. Natty grillz are the worst.

>> No.11767062

I'm about to graduate with a physics degree from one of the best stem schools in the us and I was nearly kicked out for a nervous breakdown last year. The only reason I wasn't able to kill myself was because my friend knew something was wrong and called the cops first.
My best friend from high school that tried a little harder than me back then ended up studying English at Harvard, and I think about how much happier I might've ended up if I was there a lot.
I like what I do, I wouldn't be in physics if I didn't, but the pressure is very real among everybody around me.

>> No.11767265

>>11758700
actuary

>> No.11767324

I majored in history, minored in German and English.

After I graduated I studied two years of CS in one year (No electives, first sem was 1st year CS, 2nd was 2nd year) because everyone said it was a good idea if you need a job. Well I got a job and dropped out making more money than I've ever made.

I fucking hated my job, it was the most boring and soul crushing thing I've ever done. Even though the money was great I was happier when I was working in a restaurant, so I quit that job. I'm not working at the moment but am living off of investments. It's a meagre life and I can't do much but I'm already happier than I was in that cuck cage/cubicle.

At the moment I'm figuring out what to do next, I'm considering a few things - starting a business, getting a master's in teaching, becoming a counsellor - all things I'm pretty sure I will actually enjoy. I can say with confidence that studying CS was one of the worst decisions I've made, whereas my Arts degree was one of my best.

>> No.11767444

Study what you want and just go into IT if you want money. You get paid average country wage for just 1st line support here which is brainless.

>> No.11767470

>>11765035
Become a substitute teacher

>> No.11767473
File: 184 KB, 600x642, 1533922484438.png [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
11767473

>>11767024
>But trying to write and progress philosophy by submitting your works to journals is completely pointless and is just watered down as academics in general is.

What makes you say this?

>> No.11767556 [DELETED] 

>>11763014
Yes, that too but you are paying a lot of money when you could have the same information for free. Does listening to some irrelevant lecturer makes all that difference? If you really want, you can write dissertations on your own and have them assessed by someone anyway. It's only worth it if perhaps you go to Harvard or Oxbridge in which you can talk to famous doctorates in their fields and network. Even then, some of these doctorates are overrated and you are better off not talking to them at all. Like I said, unis aren't intellectual institutions anyway. They have became businesses and a tool of the government.

>> No.11767559 [DELETED] 
File: 31 KB, 307x209, FD0F54C6-E88D-426A-AA3C-FF394FD2123E.jpg [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
11767559

I majored in history and am joining the US military, either enlisting or commissioning.

>> No.11767591

>>11760507
>I was literally a fuckin parallel mirror to this guy and I'm earning shit living in place where the cost of living goes up so fast I get poorer every year in spite of all my pay raises and bonuses.

The reason why he's rich and you're poor, is because you have a losers mindset.
Stop whining

>> No.11767600

>>11763014
Yes, that too but I fail to understand how a good course can teach you more than just reading books by yourself. The only reason I see is that you can attend lectures and listen to some "expert" although most of these are irrelevant unless they teach in highly esteemed institutions. Even then, this isn't always the case. The funny thing is that you can watch lecturers online nowadays so even that has became accessible to someone who doesn't enrol in some uni. So you have free access to lectures and free access to journals and books if you torrent them. Why on earth should I pay 9k a year to have someone guide me through the learning process of some discipline when I can do it on my own with little costs? The only incentive is some piece of paper that, for reasons you have stated, is becoming quite useless since millions of people have it now which makes its value go down. Unis have become a business, they exist mostly to milk clueless people and they are also a tool of the government to keep people in check (more debt = less chance of becoming rich = more years of wageslaving = more taxes)

>> No.11767620

>>11767600
Btw, everything I said here only applies to humanities courses. I believe that uni is still the best place to go if you want to become a doctor or scientist. You should be highly assessed if you are gonna deal with other people's health and you would have access to expensive labs in order to perform experiments.

>> No.11767625

>>11767600
Still worth getting a degree from a prestigious university in the UK. Just don't go to a degree mill.

>> No.11767627

>>11755925
This is such a meme post lmao.

>> No.11767644

>>11755415
>tfw didnt fall for the meme degree meme
>tfw didnt fall for the trade meme
>tfw didnt fall for the minimum wagecuck meme

feels good being a neet!

>> No.11767645

>>11767024
>>11767024
Anon why are you salty about not having success in journals as an undergrad, I don't know why you're even bothering with that, nobody wants undergrad writing. I'm a Masters student in philosophy and even now, 99% of reputable journals don't care what I would write. You don't start seriously contributing until PhD level. Also, lmao @ expecting a job in philosophy, you should have considered that before you studied.

You have more of a problem with shitty and unrealistic expectations than with philosophy as a field.

>> No.11767661

>>11767591
Anon that isnt necessarily true, youre just throwing two things together because you can

>> No.11767668

>>11767473
here
>>11767645
I thought this but surely theyre a grad student? Also as far as expecting a job in philosophy, there are jobs in philosophy. You can teach at community college just fine. Its those research positions that are incredibly hard to get

>> No.11767675

>>11767668
Hes talking about going to law school after graduating (as something that anyone can do), thats something you consider after undergrad generally, I have strong suspicions he is a bitter undergrad. Also, talking about "graduating in May". Most grad programs graduate in the summer or otherwise off-peak.

>> No.11769175

>>11755933
Hi there i study political science too. Any tips? What do you thing? Is it a meme degree?

>> No.11769289

>>11767645
I havent submitted to any journals, but i have read several and its just analytic circle jerking.

>> No.11769329

>>11769289
If you're studying the English speaking world, chances are, its going to be analytic, but you're also being incredibly dismissive. Tons of interesting Continental and History of Philosophy articles get published. What is your area of interest?

>> No.11769340

Going for Chartered Accountancy here. If my financial position wasn't shit tier, I would honestly double major in Eng/Philosophy, maybe even go for PhD. But life doesn't really award that luxury to everyone. If you are well financially, go for what you're interested in honestly.

>> No.11769344

>>11769289
You're not reading the right journals anon.

>> No.11769398

>>11769289
Are you an idiot? Continental philosophy and analytic are almost always not in the same journal. Thats like reading a few journals that focus on logic and complaining that all of academic philosophy is just formal logic

>> No.11770135

>>11756115
>Get a trade or start a company.
THIS! My younger brother started in the construction trades. Formed a company doing specialty construction for industry. Now has multi-million $$$ company. He's still working because he love it.
I went the college route, banking and finance. Retired at the age of 48, made more than I'll ever need. I don't work, and I love it.
YMMV.
We both are overachievers. All our family was raised that way. Get smart, get good at what you do, hustle, work hard, because that's what we do.
Life is what you make it.

>> No.11770325

>>11770135
>t. boomer

I don't know if you've heard but the world has changed in the last 30 years. Your advice may not be good for the kids these days.

>> No.11770476

>>11769175
I would also like to know if it's a meme. I'm studying english but might add it on as a second major so I'll appear to have respectability

>> No.11771530

So is the humanities shifting outside the university?

>> No.11771564

>>11767324
I majored in CS but went into the military after college. I recently did an "industry crossover" type program -- basically an internship for a large company where I acted like a civilian. Holy shit, life for people actually working these jobs is awful. I didn't even know what I was dodging at the time.

>> No.11771595

>>11771564
what didn't you like ?

>> No.11771885

>>11771530
probably not

>> No.11771904

>>11771564
I dunno man, I'm a web developer for an insurance company and it's pretty comfy. Maybe at a major tech place it'd be stressful though.

>> No.11771965

you mother fuckers sure are black and white. OP, if you do in fact like philosophy you should major it in and something more practical that you think you'd enjoy, like engineering or accounting or some shit. I'm a STEMfag with a phil undergrad as well, I work as an engineer, still maintain some sort of soul, and read books on the side and talk with a few friends about them. I even went to a philosophy lecture last Friday and saw some old professors. you'll be fine.

>> No.11771973

>>11771595
its dehumanizing and uncreative and thankless work
>>11771904
t. subhuman

also
>i'm a webdev
just fucking lol at you

>> No.11772449

How could someone contribute to philosophy outside of the academy? Possible?

>> No.11772513

Philosophy student at a pretty weak University in Canada (overs around top 20-23 in the Canadian rankings, top 601-650 in the world). Small class sizes (20-35 students per class). Second semester.

Some teachers are very knowledgeable and it shows, with others it's harder to tell because they don't show off their erudition as much. Only had 1 teacher so far whose class was sort of dissapointing.

Levels of knowledge varies A LOT between students. Some come into University having already done quite a bit of reading and with an understanding of what Philosophy is about and how you write a Philosophy paper ; while others know next to nothing. Some students are of course straight up dumb.

Exemple : In my first class of British Empiricism (Locke, Berkeley, Hume), the professor asked what the word ''Empiricism'' (in French : Empirisme) meant for them (the students). One guy answered that it made him think of empires (same spelling in French).

In my first class this semester for the course The Philosophy of the Enlightenment, the teacher asked a similar question and the same student answered that it made him think of the ''invention of the light'' (the enlightenment in French is commonly called Le Siècle des Lumières; which translates to : The Century of the ''Lights''). I have no idea if he meant light itself, or the lightbulb.

Lastly, I'm more right-leaning than your average student, and I haven't found anyone yet who comes close to sharing my ideas. I expected University to be this very intellectual environment, with a very high level of discourse, but it's not really that, or at least, certainly not at my University.

That said, I don't regret my choice yet.

>> No.11772525

>>11755772
thinking about switching from law to theology, I am unsure very much htough, because one won't find a significant other this easily with such a job. So fml, it's like choosing between a great job and a great personal life.

>> No.11772532

>>11758709
Havig the same idea, being so near to celebs is bad for people.

>> No.11772536
File: 46 KB, 345x257, 1532345262373.png [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
11772536

>>11755925
That's what's wrong with society. If the people I like do not like me back due to a lack of money, fuck them. To me it's not about your fucking instagram trip to an island, life is about ideas and emotions. But please, live your happy life. BUT GTFO FCKNG NORMIE

>> No.11772617

>>11757661
If he's stupid enough to go 200k in debt for a meme degree, then he was already fucked all along

>> No.11772642

Only worthwhile degrees are
>economics/finance
>assorted medical/healthcare
>law
>assorted STEM

If none of those interest you, just don't bother with college at all. The time and money can be better spent.

>> No.11772693

>>11772617
interesting in that regards
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgFoqhRT8mE

>> No.11772696

>>11772642
I am doing law, but don't know if it will satisfy me as a job, maybe would enjoy languages and literature or theology more as a job. Help please

>> No.11772862

>>11755568
seriously just double major in something practical

>> No.11772870

>>11755952
cs == english at this point mate

>> No.11773013

>>11772696
>languages and literature or theology more as a job
Would you like to become a language teacher, a writer or a priest?
If yes - you don't need a degree for any of these.

>> No.11773223

I have a Master's degree in literature with my BA in history. I am a construction superintendent and have never used my degree, and I make literally twice as much as I would if I had found work as a professor. Don't try to make a career out of your passion, you'll just end up despising it.

>> No.11773348

>>11771973
you sound mad as fuck. enjoy fighting for ZOG in the army

>> No.11774452

>>11773223
If you were to make an OP, describing how you became a construction superintendent after two "meme degrees" - I'd read the shit out of it.

>please do

>> No.11774467

>>11774452
seconded

>> No.11774475

Yes, history and lit.

It wasn't a terrible time, but not worth it probably. At some point you start wishing you had a real career

Also, academia is terrible

>> No.11774737

>>11772449
Engaging in high quality philosophical conversation is one way

>> No.11775046

>>11755925
>lack of attention from the sex of your preference
>implying homos give a shit about money

>> No.11775051
File: 78 KB, 720x716, 1536266896041.jpg [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
11775051

>>11755415
Theoretical physics and applied mathematics degree (U3 at the very school you put in that photo - GO MCGILL REDMEN!), with undergraduate particle research experience from Dr. Keshav Dasgupta, in the Rutherford Lab. I also worked through my whole education.

I've had a pretty stressful time due to a shit familial situation, so I'm taking a year on leave of absence.

In terms of what I've seen from audited courses in the English and Philosophy departments (both here and at Concordia), they seem pretty shit. And I don't meant to uphold the STEM-superiority complex, but yes the average liberal arts student is terribly stupid, and are studying meaningless fluff, political propaganda, or things that should be elementary in terms of logic, modal logic, fuzzy logic, rhetoric and debate, etc...

I've had paid dares where I wrote essays for people in a course on classical philosophy, or economics, and I was able to get my friend an A+ without being a student. I've seen the entry-level math and reasoning that economics, poli sci, and philosophy students do, and it is painfully slow.

Philosophy students can at least have some tangible skill at finding higher order truths, and eloquently presenting an idea.

Honestly, if you actually are that top 1% of the liberal arts who can think competently about their field of interest, then apply and take it seriously - it will not be impressive to anyone to get straight A's in any liberal arts course. Otherwise, you're essentially just a slightly clever normie who is taking this degree for an ego boost, or to throw your pseudointellectual weight around.

Don't expect a fucking classy job, either. I can speak 3 languages and code in two, and I still don't expect a fucking job in my field once I graduate. I can't imagine someone with an afro-happa feminist dance therapy degree. Don't even think about cushy teaching gigs. Even in STEM they're getting rid of tenured seats left and right, with the eventual goal of tenured professors being a thing of the past.

I'm probably going to go crab fishing in the East of Canada this winter or summer. They pay ~60k for 4 months of grueling work. It'll be nice to have ~100k in savings when I come back from leave. I will also complete some work I'm doing on machine learning decision matrices, and the optimization of structural integrity of mollusk shells.

Plus, I have a tendency to romanticize the sea, and a hard on for books about tall wooden ships.

Mandatory "stay mad libtards," before I go:
https://www.statisticbrain.com/iq-estimates-by-intended-college-major/
We've ranked university degrees by their average IQ AND SAT scores (before all you IQ deniers jump at the IQ test not being a realistic measure of academic proficiency).

#1 Physics and Astronomy - 134 (highest of all subjects)
#3 Philosophy - 129
...
#22 English and Literature - 119
The rest of the business, social sciences, communications sciences, and liberal arts degrees hover around 103-114.

>> No.11775105

>>11760364
>real job
The quakers here, let me tell you...

>> No.11775113

>>11775051
>Social work is dead fucking last with 103, lmao.
At that point the difference between a physicist and them is the difference between an average person and the cutoff for mental retardation.
>>11755415
But yeah, philosophy is always a better degree than english. DFW only got a fine arts bach, so that he could get a philosophy degree at Harvard, and then teach writing. He recommended it because it teaches you to think clearer and enunciate your ideas.

>> No.11775144

>>11772513
Let me guess, Concordia right? The faggots who think they're even in the same competitive league as McGill, U of T, or U of A?

>> No.11775156

Anybody here major in English/Philosophy/Literature and then go to law school? How did you like being a lawyer?

>> No.11775479
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11775479

>>11755415

I have a degree in computer science from a Canadian University and have worked in the industry 4+ years. Several months ago I quit a well-paying job. I could not continue.

Ultimately I found programming unsatisfying. It's near impossible to find anyone who thinks deeply about life, who cares about philosophical thinking or is willing to have serious conversations. But it's more than that - it's the staring at computer screens all day. It's dehumanizing. And the more I read and understand, the more I want to distance myself from that world.

I find myself at a crossroads in life, living on my savings while I spend my time at home reading and writing. I am in the opposite predicament of you OP. I find myself wanting going *back* to university for a Philosophy degree. Where else can one go to meet like-minded individuals? Where do all you fucking people live? Must every man build his own community?

>> No.11775730

>>11775479
You should do what >>11775051 and >>11773223 are doing, and go into a highly productive physical job (not even necessarily a trade). I can imagine the satisfaction of a construction superintendent finishing a pristine brick wall, or the physical zen of working on the open ocean surrounded by interesting stories and characters.

You can balance a boring office life with some "physical culture," and even make more money in the process.

>> No.11776963

I fell for the STEM meme and regret it, so I'm going to double major in computer engineering and either English or philosophy. Which one should I go with?