The report recently published by Al Jazeera Net under the title: 10 majors that universities should stop teaching due to the labor market, sparked a lot of discussion and controversy in academic circles and among students studying humanities and social majors such as philosophy, tourism, archeology, and other majors.
Perhaps the most prominent question in these discussions was: Do these majors really have no future in the labor market, and what will the students who study these majors do? What university majors in the fields of humanities and social sciences have a future in the labor market?
To answer these and other questions, we asked the following questions to Artificial Intelligence (Chatgpt4o):
- What university majors in humanities and social studies have job opportunities now and in the future 30 years from now?
- Is a bachelor’s degree alone sufficient, or do you need higher degrees such as a master’s and doctorate in order to have job opportunities in the future?
- What are the expected salaries now and in the future for these specializations?
We also searched for the most prominent scientific studies and research issued by prestigious institutions to ensure the importance and future of these specializations mentioned in this report.
We took the opinion of experts about the attitudes of students and families to study and the factors behind their choices of certain majors and not others.
Agile specializations
Dr. Ghassan Abu Matar, finance economics specialist and director of the Arab World Foundation for Economic and Social Research, said in exclusive statements to Al Jazeera Net, “The stagnant specializations are not limited to the humanities and social sciences, but rather extend to scientific, engineering, and medical specializations that were highly popular with students in the past, but have become stagnant and saturated specializations.” In the labor market currently.
Abu Matar pointed out, “There is an increasing trend among students and families towards technical specializations that meet the needs of the labor market. We have also noticed in recent years a trend toward what is known as “agile specializations,” which are those specializations that require fewer study hours, which makes the study period longer. It is relatively shorter, and it has a promising future in the local, Arab and international labor market, and this matter is not limited to the humanities and social sciences only, but extends beyond it to some engineering and medical specializations.”
Abu Matar explains, “For example, while the computer engineering major requires 162 academic hours in most universities, the various computer science majors such as artificial intelligence or cybersecurity require a smaller number of hours. This difference in the number of hours can lead to reducing the study period by one academic year.” Almost completely, which saves time and money, and attracts students and families alike, especially with the increasing demand for technical skills in the labor market, which has led to an increase in demand for these specializations. In contrast, specializations in the humanities and social sciences have witnessed the arrival of some scientific and engineering specializations and medical services, a decline in demand.”
Abu Matar stressed, “There is a growing awareness among students and families about the importance of choosing specializations that are compatible with the needs of the current labor market, away from stagnant or saturated specializations, whether in the humanities, social sciences, or others. Universities and decision-makers in the Arab world must take these trends into account when making decisions.” Planning academic programs for the future to ensure that market needs are met, and to protect students from the specter of unemployment.”
The 7 most prominent university majors in the humanities and social sciences that have a future in the labor market
1. Economy
It is the study of how societies allocate resources to meet their needs. It includes both “microeconomics,” which focuses on individual and business decisions, and “macroeconomics,” which studies overall economic systems and policies according to the World Bank.
Is a bachelor’s degree alone enough?
A bachelor’s degree may provide a strong foundation for entry-level positions and jobs in various fields. For advanced positions and careers, a master’s or doctoral degree is required.
Current salaries in developed countries
- Economist: 80,000-110,000 dollars annually
- Financial analyst: 70 thousand – 90 thousand dollars annually
- Data analyst: $60,000-$85,000 annually
- Market research analyst: $55,000-$75,000 annually.
Expected salaries in 30 years in developed countries
- Economist: 120,000-180,000 dollars annually
- Financial analyst: 100-150 thousand dollars annually
- Data analyst: $100,000 annually
- Market research analyst: $80,000-$120,000 annually
2. The law
This specialization covers a wide range of legal areas, including: criminal law, corporate law, intellectual property, environment, and family law.
Is a bachelor’s degree alone enough?
A bachelor’s degree alone is not enough for many legal jobs. You will need:
- Master’s degree in law
- Passing the bar exam and obtaining a license to plead before the courts
- Practical training.
Current and future job opportunities
- lawyer
- Corporate consultant
- judge
- Legal assistant
- Cybersecurity legal consultant
- Environmental law specialist
- International law expert.
Current salaries in developed countries
- Lawyer: from 80 thousand to 160 thousand dollars annually
- Corporate consultant: 100-200 thousand dollars annually
- Judge: 120 thousand – 200 thousand dollars annually
- Legal assistant: 50 thousand – 75 thousand dollars annually
Expected salaries in 30 years in developed countries
- Lawyer: from 150 thousand to 300 thousand dollars annually
- Corporate legal advisor: from 200 to 400 thousand dollars annually
- Judge: 200-300 thousand dollars annually
- Legal assistant: from 70 thousand to 100 thousand dollars annually
3. Psychology
The World Health Organization has estimated that by 2030, mental illness will become the largest contributor to the global burden of disease, hence the importance of psychology in the future job market.
Is a bachelor’s degree alone enough?
A bachelor’s degree alone is not enough. It will not qualify you to become a psychiatrist, and in fact, even a master’s degree in psychology is not enough either. You must obtain a doctorate degree in this specialty, according to the “Universities” platform.
Bachelor’s level jobsEntry-level roles in counseling and social services, marketing researchers, or school counseling specialists.
Current Salaries for Psychologists and Psychologists (2024)
- Clinical psychologist: $75,000 – $100,000 annually
- Consulting psychologist: $60,000-$90,000 annually
- School psychologist: 60,000-80,000 dollars annually
- Research psychologist: $70,000-$100,000 annually.
Expected salaries in 30 years (2054)
- Clinical psychologist: $100,000-$130,000 annually
- Consulting psychologist: $80,000-$100,000 annually
- School psychologist: $80,000-$100,000 annually
- Research psychologist: $90,000-$130,000 annually
4. Sociology
It is the study of society and social behavior, and it explores how individuals, groups interact, and the structures that shape human behavior.
Is a bachelor’s degree alone enough?
A bachelor’s degree may lead to entry-level jobs in the field, but advanced positions usually require a master’s or doctoral degree.
Current salaries in sociology in developed countries
- Sociologist: 80 thousand – 100 thousand dollars annually
- Social researcher: 60,000-90,000 dollars annually
- Policy analyst: $70,000-$100,000 annually
- Community service manager: $65,000-$90,000 annually.
Future salary expectations (30 years)
- Sociologist: 100,000-130,000 dollars annually
- Social researcher: 80,000-110,000 dollars annually
- Policy analyst: $90,000-$130,000 annually
- Community service manager: $85,000-$115,000 annually
5. Communication and Communication (Communication)
Communications is a dynamic field that focuses on how information is created, shared, and understood. It includes various forms including verbal, written, visual and digital media.
Is a bachelor’s degree alone enough?
It may lead to a wide range of career opportunities in various industries, including: public relations specialist, social media manager, content writer, and event coordinator.
Current salaries in developed countries
- Public Relations Specialist: 50,000-75,000 dollars annually
- Social media manager: $50,000-$80,000 annually
- Content writer: $45,000-$70,000 annually
- Events Coordinator: $40,000-$60,000 annually.
Future salary expectations (after 30 years)
- Public Relations Specialist: 70,000-100,000 dollars annually
- Social media manager: $80,000-$120,000 annually
- Content writer: 70 thousand – 100 thousand dollars annually
- Events Coordinator: $60,000-$80,000 annually
6. Environmental sciences and studies
A science that covers a wide range of fields from conservation, sustainability and environmental policy to climate change and social justice.
Labor market expectations:
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects jobs in environmental and conservation sciences to grow by 5% from 2021 to 2031.
Is a bachelor’s degree alone enough?
A bachelor’s degree in environmental studies and sciences provides a strong foundation, but it is not sufficient for more specialized career paths as you need master’s and doctoral degrees, and other specialized training certificates.
Current and future salaries in developed countries
The average annual wage for environmental scientists and specialists is currently about $76,000 annually.
Environmental professions are expected to grow in demand and wages over the course of 30 years, reaching between 150 and 200 thousand dollars annually.
7. Political science
It is the study of governance systems and political behavior. How political systems work. The most important fields in this specialization are: international relations, comparative politics, public policy, and political economy.
Is a bachelor’s degree alone enough?
A bachelor’s degree is good for entry level jobs; Master’s and doctoral degrees are preferred for advanced positions. Here are some common job opportunities:
- Political analyst and consultant
- International relations specialist
- Political campaigns coordinator
- Government service.
Current salaries in political science
Salaries vary according to experience, geographical region, or country, and most of the previous jobs have a salary range between 50,000 – 80,000 dollars annually in developed countries.
Future salary expectations (30 years)
Salaries are expected to rise due to the increasing demand for expertise in political analysis and public policy. The salaries of workers in the political field during the next 30 years will range between 70 thousand – 100 thousand dollars annually.
