College: Gender Studies - Part Deux

Locutus of Bored · Mar 21, 2013

Unfortunately the previous thread turned into something else entirely, so in fairness to hxclespaulplayer, I'm starting this thread to allow people to address his original question. I will also copy over some of the posts that addressed his question.

Please keep any remarks on how you might feel about feminism in general to yourself and purely stick to the discussion of the value of a Gender Studies degree. Thank you.

hxclespaulplayer said:
I've been offered a placement in college to complete a Gender Studies unit, due partly to applying myself in lectures that I was just dropping in on without being enrolled. The lecturer appears to be young and idealistic, as my social worker exclaimed that, when he approached her by email, she welcomed me in on the spot, which is apparently unusual for a person in that position to do.

Anyway, what are your opinions of the usefulness of a degree in Gender Studies, career-wise? I've been told many things, namely that it's useless, I'm gay, (two guys and thirty girls in the lectures) a misandrist, etc etc, but I've never before been in a room with so many like-minded people in my life, it's liberating.

Locutus of Bored · Mar 21, 2013

Here are the posts that addressed the OP's question from the previous thread. I edited out a few comments relating to the tangent discussion that developed over there, so hopefully people will pardon me for that, but I wanted to stick to the original subject here. If I missed anyone's post, I'm sorry.

Alidar Jarok said:
Just to comment on the original topic, it doesn't strike me as all that useful. There are some fields where it would help, but I suspect the number of jobs in those fields are quite limited. I would suggest looking into any job that makes use of the degree (if gender studies doesn't turn up many results, look at women's studies, which is often a similar degree). See if you would want to work at any of those jobs and start volunteering/interning at one at the same time you go for your degree.

If you don't want any of those jobs, that's fine. Intellectual development isn't a bad thing. But you should probably expect to get a job that doesn't have much to do with your education, like selling insurance.

1001001 said:
I can't imagine there are lots of jobs related to a Gender Studies degree, but I don't know that for sure. I imagine there is research and placement data out there.

If you enjoy it, then give it a try and see where it goes. You could also try to talk to other people who got that degree and see what they say.

Collingwood Nick said:
If you're going to uni to learn something new and become a more well rounded person, do the degree. If you're going to learn a trade and gain employment, then, you know, learn a trade like engineering or business.

auntiehill said:
hxclespaulplayer said:

I've been offered a placement in college to complete a Gender Studies unit, due partly to applying myself in lectures that I was just dropping in on without being enrolled. The lecturer appears to be young and idealistic, as my social worker exclaimed that, when he approached her by email, she welcomed me in on the spot, which is apparently unusual for a person in that position to do.

Anyway, what are your opinions of the usefulness of a degree in Gender Studies, career-wise? I've been told many things, namely that it's useless, I'm gay, (two guys and thirty girls in the lectures) a misandrist, etc etc, but I've never before been in a room with so many like-minded people in my life, it's liberating.

Click to expand...

OH, look! It's the original post! If you really want to study this area because you find it fascinating and enjoyable, then do so. No knowledge is useless. But, if you want build a career around this field, I fear you will have a very, very hard time making a living if you don't tie it into something else, like teaching, social work, psychology, political science, etc. I hope that answers your question.

Spot's Meow said:
I agree with a couple of previous posters who have stated that if you are in school to gain knowledge and pursue your interests, then yes, the program will be useful to you and you will probably have a great time. If your main goal is to graduate with a job lined up, it probably won't be such a great idea. This is the sort of degree that would work great as a stepping stone into graduate school in the social sciences though. There is definitely a chance that your future career will make use of this degree, but you will need to have clear goals in mind and probably do some extra schooling before you get there. For example I am in a library science graduate program at the moment, and I've met a few classmates who specifically want to focus on working at libraries or archives within women's organizations or GLBTIQ organizations. An undergraduate degree in gender studies would likely be of much benefit to them in applying for those jobs.

Kestra said:
Yeah I was thinking it would work if you wanted to go on to graduate school, but I agree about having a plan.

Count Zero said:
hxclespaulplayer said:

Anyway, what are your opinions of the usefulness of a degree in Gender Studies, career-wise? I've been told many things, namely that it's useless, I'm gay, (two guys and thirty girls in the lectures) a misandrist, etc etc, but I've never before been in a room with so many like-minded people in my life, it's liberating.

Click to expand...

Good for you, really. I think this is a field that can be very stimulating intellectually because it challenges common assumptions about societal roles most of us have grown up with. There's also some bullshit and nonsense but that's the case with every academic field. The most important thing to learn in academics is to be discerning and determining the merit of any theory or argument you're being presented with.

As others have said it's never wrong to learn new things and personally, I'm very much in favour of pursueing academic studies for their own merit and not neccessarily as a career thing.

I suspect a degree in Gender Studies isn't that useful in that regard but others have made good points about how you might be able to make it useful. It's certainly possible to carve out a niche for your set of qualifications.

Shanndee said:
To the OP:

This degree will help you immensely if you plan to pursue psychology or social work. Other than that I have to agree with this:

Spot's Meow said:

I agree with a couple of previous posters who have stated that if you are in school to gain knowledge and pursue your interests, then yes, the program will be useful to you and you will probably have a great time. If your main goal is to graduate with a job lined up, it probably won't be such a great idea. This is the sort of degree that would work great as a stepping stone into graduate school in the social sciences though. There is definitely a chance that your future career will make use of this degree, but you will need to have clear goals in mind and probably do some extra schooling before you get there. For example I am in a library science graduate program at the moment, and I've met a few classmates who specifically want to focus on working at libraries or archives within women's organizations or GLBTIQ organizations. An undergraduate degree in gender studies would likely be of much benefit to them in applying for those jobs.

Click to expand...

Gov Kodos said:
Yeah, but for the original poster, I'm all for studying what is interesting to you more than for job potential. That should be with the caveat that you can afford such freewheeling study. If the study is going to put you in a deep valley of debt, then being able to get gainful employment should play some measure in choosing what you will study. All the same, it's a shame to be at school choosing courses more or less only from utilitarian perspectives. So, that was just a meandering way to say 'it all depends.'

sidious618 · Mar 21, 2013

Gender Studies is an interesting field. It's sad that because there's not one specific job market for it that people end up overlooking the area. I had a professor in college who had an MA in gender studies and at a high school reunion she said she taught Gender Studies which caused the person she was talking to to say, "Why would anyone take that? Where's the money in it?" It's a sad view of education, I think.

SmoothieX · Mar 21, 2013

I think that would actually be an interesting course, and that's from a math and science guy who hated social sciences in college.

I'm 33 and divorced, so I could use a pointer or two.

hxclespaulplayer · Mar 21, 2013

I've been to three lectures so far (just turned up, as most of my friends are girls, I wanted to see what a mostly-female attended course was like), without even reading the texts, and I seem to be able to quite easily grasp all the concepts put forward. The lecturer must have noticed me taking many more notes than anyone else, or was impressed by me attending as if I were an actual college student.

I'm not much of a guy-ish guy, and most friends tell me that they "don't have to act like a guy" around me, I'm kind of treated like an honorary woman - I seem to be entrusted with a lot of personal stuff even with casual-ish friends, and they're comfy with doing things around me that they admit they wouldn't around other guys. Not trying to toot my own horn or anything, just showing a bit of my background and why I seem to take to the course like a duck to water.

Tora Ziyal · Mar 21, 2013

^Then go for it! Like others have mentioned, education in any subject you're interested in is worthwhile for the knowledge, critical thinking skills and enjoyment.

Iliana Malek · Mar 21, 2013

If you are going to teach in the field, or you have the time and money to pursue it simply out of interest, then go for. Otherwise, it sounds pretty useless.

Captain_Nick · Mar 22, 2013

Well, why not after all? It's really important to enjoy what you're studying. I'd be curious to hear what they teach in Gender Studies. Maybe even curious enough to sit in on some lectures at my uni. Hmm.

hxclespaulplayer · Mar 23, 2013

Collingwood Nick said:
Well, why not after all? It's really important to enjoy what you're studying. I'd be curious to hear what they teach in Gender Studies. Maybe even curious enough to sit in on some lectures at my uni. Hmm.

Women tend to take up less space than men. If there are spare seats either side of a guy, he'll tend to sprawl out. A girl will sort of remain in her own personal area. Apparently the phrase "you throw like a girl" is due to a girl using up this less space, using less space to throw.

White women tend to believe in the concept of a "universal sisterhood" however other ethnicities find this offensive, as they have additional barriers on top of being a woman, due to their skin color.

Gender is not something we are, but what we "do" - within social constraints.

Kelthaz · Mar 23, 2013

I have to disagree with the idea that you should study something that you enjoy. This isn't the United Federation of Planets. You need a job and income to get by in this world. Spending 4 years of your life and going into debt to get a degree that will leave you flipping burgers at the end of it isn't a good investment.

And that's what an education is. It's an investment. Yes, it's important to study something that will lead you to an enjoyable career after graduation, but that's not the same thing as studying something that you enjoy. Do some research and try to find a way to leverage your degree into a career (perhaps by getting a Masters degree), but if the numbers don't add up I strongly suggest taking something less interesting.

Avon · Mar 23, 2013

^ i don't agree with that. i took a less interesting course with better chance of employment, got so bored, depressed and fed up with it that i quit half way through and started a fun interesting course. this leaves me with an extra year and a half's worth of debt.

Kelthaz · Mar 23, 2013

^ Well, it's a balancing act of course. There's hundreds of different degrees out there. Taking something that's less interesting (but still enjoyable) that has better job prospects is the better way to go.

Captain_Nick · Mar 23, 2013

That is why I said it is important to study something you enjoy. All study is hard, and if you have no interest in or passion for what you are working towards, you will probably fail. At the very least, you won't actualise your full potential.

Scout101 · Mar 25, 2013

Kelthaz said:
I have to disagree with the idea that you should study something that you enjoy. This isn't the United Federation of Planets. You need a job and income to get by in this world. Spending 4 years of your life and going into debt to get a degree that will leave you flipping burgers at the end of it isn't a good investment.

And that's what an education is. It's an investment. Yes, it's important to study something that will lead you to an enjoyable career after graduation, but that's not the same thing as studying something that you enjoy. Do some research and try to find a way to leverage your degree into a career (perhaps by getting a Masters degree), but if the numbers don't add up I strongly suggest taking something less interesting.

1000% this. Way too many people taking what's fun and interesting, or easier and doesn't conflict with social life, and then end up with 250k in loans and no job prospects, or in a degree field that will NEVER earn enough to pay the loans off.

Great and fulfilling, but stupid. it's the 'we're all special and unique little artists' thing, where you can be whatever you want and follow your dreams. Sure, works for some, but at some point it's time to be an adult and realize you gotta pay the bills, so a degree in basketweaving isn't going to be a good choice, even if it's your passion and your teacher is amazing. Unless you've got a hook up to get paid to DO that, or enjoy the starving artist lifestyle, it's not bright to pay to learn to do that. Go get a degree that results in a potential job, and take the basketweaving course as an elective for fun/enrichment.

Avon · Mar 26, 2013

250,000 loans wtf? thats insane!! is that in america?

adding in my extra wasted year i'll end up with under £20,000 debt and even that seems like a lot to me.

Scout101 · Mar 26, 2013

Without too much of a stretch, yeah. Spend 4 years in a private college, and you're looking at $55k-60k a year after room and board. $220-240k right there. Assuming there are no more price increases (yeah, right!) and you don't need an extra semester or year, and you're pretty close to $250k, maybe more.

How much of a factor scholarships are depends on all kinds of things, but generally, a lot of this is just buried in loans, pretending that's just as good as financial aid.

If you don't have a job that will support paying BACK those loans, not overly smart to go to college for that career in the first place. Unlike credit cards, houses, etc. you can't just declare bankrupcy and default on these loans, you're stuck with them. You can delay paying them for a while, but the interest is running, so it just gets worse.

Even if, after savings and scholarships, you only end up paying half, that's still $125k to pay off, so the degree had better be worth it, and to a high-paying field in demand.

College: Gender Studies - Part Deux

Locutus of Bored

Yo, Dawg! I Heard You Like Avatars...

Locutus of Bored

Yo, Dawg! I Heard You Like Avatars...

sidious618

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SmoothieX

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hxclespaulplayer

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Tora Ziyal

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Iliana Malek

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Captain_Nick

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hxclespaulplayer

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Kelthaz

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Avon

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Kelthaz

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Scout101

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Avon

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