In today's society, the choice of college major is a concern for many students and parents. Many people believe that choosing a popular and promising major can guarantee future employment and development. However, with the changes in the economy and society, some majors that were once regarded as "fragrant and sweet" have gradually fallen off the "altar" and are facing the dilemma of difficulty in recruitment, employment and development. I will introduce four such majors, analyze their current situation and reasons, and make some suggestions that I hope will give some inspiration to students and parents.
English majors used to be the dream of many high school students, and it was also the signboard of many colleges and universities. Graduates majoring in English can not only master an international language, but also dabble in literature, culture, communication and other aspects of knowledge, and have a broad field of employment and development space. However, in recent years, the English major has encountered an unprecedented crisis. According to 1, the University of Science and Technology of China plans to withdraw 6 undergraduate majors such as English in 2023, which has aroused widespread concern and discussion in the society. Some people believe that English majors have lost their competitiveness and advantages and have been replaced by new majors. Some people argue that English majors still have their value and significance, and cannot be generalized. So, why did English majors fall off the "altar"?
On the one hand, the employment situation for English majors is not optimistic. With the popularization of English education, English proficiency is no longer a scarce skill, but a basic requirement. English graduates face stiff competition in the job market, not only for students who are good at English in other majors, but also for foreigners. Moreover, English graduates often lack other professional skills and knowledge to be qualified for some complex and diverse jobs. According to 2, computer science majors are a big hit among international students, while English majors are often inferior to computer majors in programming and data analysis skills. As a result, the employment prospects and salary levels of English majors are relatively low.
On the other hand, the quality of education for English majors is also challenging. With the development of artificial intelligence and machine translation, the teaching content and methods of English majors also need to be constantly updated and improved to adapt to the changes of the times. However, the teaching of some English majors is still stuck in the traditional model, overemphasizing the basic knowledge and skills of the language, and ignoring the application and innovation of the language. 1 quotes an English major graduate: "To be honest, compared to other majors, it really doesn't mean much to learn any other skills. This shows that the education of English majors needs to pay more attention to cultivating students' comprehensive quality and interdisciplinary ability, rather than just making students "English speakers".
The communication major is also a popular major, covering journalism, radio and television, advertising, network communication and other directions. Graduates majoring in communication can engage in work related to public relations, marketing, etc., and have the opportunity to contact various hot topics and topics in society and show their talent and charm. However, the communication major is also one of the six undergraduate majors to be abolished by the University of Science and Technology of China, which also raises people's thoughts. Why is the communication major losing its appeal?
On the one hand, there is a lot of pressure on communication majors to find employment. With the development of the Internet and social networking, the communication industry has undergone tremendous changes, traditional institutions and positions have been impacted and challenged, and new forms and platforms are emerging. Communication graduates need to adapt to this change, master new technologies and tools, and improve their innovation and competitiveness. However, communication graduates often face a situation where supply exceeds demand, not only to compete with students in the same major, but also to compete with students in other majors, and even with some self-employed people who have not received professional training. In addition, the working environment and conditions of communication graduates are not always ideal, and sometimes they need to face high levels of work pressure, low remuneration levels, and precarious career development.
On the other hand, the quality of education in communication majors also needs to be improved. The teaching goal of the major of communication is to cultivate professionals with communication theory and practical ability, but in the actual teaching process, there is often a disconnect between theory and practice. The teaching content of some communication majors focuses too much on the history, theory and law of communication, while ignoring the current situation, trends and cases of communication. The teaching methods of some communication majors rely too much on classroom lectures and examination evaluation, and lack practical operation and project cooperation. 1 quotes a communication graduate: "The courses of communication majors are boring, and many of them are endorsing things from books, and there is no practical operation. This shows that the education of communication majors needs to pay more attention to cultivating students' communication skills and strategies, rather than just making students "people who understand communication".
Archaeology is a major that studies human culture and history, involving cultural relics, ruins, ancient books and other aspects. Graduates of the archaeology major can work in archaeological excavations, cultural relics conservation, museum management, etc., and have the opportunity to discover and interpret the past of mankind, and contribute to the preservation and inheritance of cultural heritage. However, archaeology is also a less popular major, and many people have misconceptions and prejudices about it. Why is the archaeology major left out in the cold?
On the one hand, it is very difficult to get a job in archaeology. Archaeology graduates need to be highly professional and dedicated in order to be competent in archaeology. However, the environment and conditions of archaeological work are often difficult, requiring long-term excavation and research in the field, facing various uncertain risks and difficulties. Moreover, the results and returns of archaeological work are not immediate, and it takes a long time and process to be recognized and affirmed. According to 1, the employment rate of archaeology majors is at the bottom of all major majors, and many graduates choose to continue their studies or change careers. Moreover, the income level of archaeology graduates is relatively low, and it is difficult to meet the material and spiritual needs of modern society.
On the other hand, the quality of education in archaeology needs to be improved. The teaching goal of archaeology is to cultivate professionals with archaeological theory and practical ability, but in the actual teaching process, there is often an imbalance between theory and practice. The teaching content of some archaeology majors focuses too much on the history, methods and techniques of archaeology, while ignoring the significance, value and social responsibility of archaeology. The teaching methods of some archaeology majors rely too much on classroom teaching and book knowledge, and lack fieldwork and experimental operations. 2 quotes an archaeology graduate: "The archaeology major is very boring, and a lot of it is memorizing things from books, and there is no practical operation. This shows that the education of archaeology needs to pay more attention to cultivating students' archaeological thinking and innovation ability, rather than just making students "people who understand archaeology".
The law major is a major that studies legal norms and legal systems, covering jurisprudence, constitutional law, criminal law, civil law, commercial law, international law and other directions. Law graduates can work as lawyers, judges, prosecutors, civil servants, etc., and have the opportunity to uphold social fairness and justice and protect the rights and interests of the people. However, the law profession is also a profession that is facing challenges and crises, and many people have doubts and dissatisfaction with it. Why is the law profession in trouble?
On the one hand, there is fierce competition for employment in law majors. With the popularity of law majors, the number of law graduates is increasing, while the demand for the legal profession is relatively limited, resulting in an imbalance between supply and demand. Law graduates face competition in the job market from their own profession and other professions, not only to pass various exams and qualifications, but also to have good professional qualities and practical experience. Moreover, the work pressure and risk of law graduates are also very high, and they need to face complex and sensitive legal issues, bear significant legal responsibilities, and bear the highest pressure from all parties. According to 3, the employment satisfaction and happiness of law graduates are relatively low, and many people say that there is a big gap between the expectations of the legal profession and the reality.
On the other hand, the quality of education in the law profession is also facing the need for reform and innovation. The teaching goal of the law major is to cultivate professionals with legal knowledge and legal ability, but in the actual teaching process, there is often a problem of disconnection between education and society. The teaching content of some law majors focuses too much on the provisions and theories of the law, while ignoring the practice and application of the law. The teaching methods of some law majors rely too much on the teacher's lecture and the student's memory, and lack case analysis and simulation exercises. 4 quotes a law graduate as saying: "The courses of law majors are very rigid, and many of them are memorizing laws and regulations, and there is no practical operation. This shows that the education of law majors needs to pay more attention to cultivating students' legal thinking and critical ability, rather than just making students "people who understand the law".
The above four majors are all university majors that were or are now considered to be "falling from the altar", and their employment situation is very bad, and parents should be vigilant. The common denominator of these majors is that they all require a high degree of professionalism and dedication, and they all face the challenges of social change and educational reform. Graduates of these majors have to bear not only the pressure from the job market, but also the expectations and disappointments from themselves and society.