Why University Still Matters (Even If You Never Use Your Degree)

I have friends with history degrees working as software engineers, psychology majors running marketing agencies, and English literature graduates building successful startups. At first glance, this might seem like evidence that university is a waste of time and money.

"Why spend four years studying something you'll never use?" is a question I hear constantly, especially in tech circles where self-taught developers often outperform computer science graduates.

But this perspective misses the bigger picture. University isn't just job training—it's something much more valuable.

The Myth of Direct Application

Let's address the elephant in the room: most people don't work directly in their degree field. According to various studies, only about 27% of college graduates work in jobs directly related to their major.

This statistic is often used to argue that university is irrelevant. But it's based on a fundamental misunderstanding of what higher education actually provides.

When someone with a philosophy degree becomes a successful product manager, they're not "wasting" their education—they're applying it in ways that aren't immediately obvious.

What University Actually Teaches

1. How to Think, Not What to Think

The most valuable thing I learned at university wasn't any specific fact or skill—it was how to approach complex problems systematically.

Before university, my problem-solving looked like this:

  • Encounter problem
  • Try random solutions
  • Get frustrated when things don't work
  • Give up or ask for help

After university, it looks like this:

  • Encounter problem
  • Break it down into smaller components
  • Research existing solutions and approaches
  • Form hypotheses and test them systematically
  • Iterate based on results
  • Document what works and what doesn't

This systematic approach applies whether you're debugging code, analyzing market trends, or figuring out why your startup isn't growing.

2. Research and Information Literacy

University teaches you how to:

  • Evaluate source credibility
  • Distinguish between correlation and causation
  • Identify bias in arguments
  • Synthesize information from multiple sources
  • Form evidence-based conclusions

These skills are incredibly valuable in our information-saturated world. When everyone has opinions, the ability to cut through noise and find reliable information is a superpower.

// This is essentially what university teaches you to do with information
const evaluateInformation = (source) => {
  const credibilityScore = assessCredibility(source)
  const biasLevel = detectBias(source.content)
  const evidenceQuality = evaluateEvidence(source.claims)

  return {
    trustworthiness: credibilityScore,
    bias: biasLevel,
    evidenceStrength: evidenceQuality,
    recommendation: shouldTrust(credibilityScore, biasLevel, evidenceQuality),
  }
}

3. Communication and Argumentation

University forces you to:

  • Articulate complex ideas clearly
  • Structure arguments logically
  • Present to different audiences
  • Defend your positions with evidence
  • Accept and incorporate feedback

Whether you're pitching to investors, explaining technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders, or writing documentation, these communication skills are essential.

4. Learning How to Learn

Perhaps most importantly, university teaches you how to learn efficiently. You develop strategies for:

  • Quickly grasping new concepts
  • Identifying what's important vs. what's noise
  • Building knowledge systematically
  • Connecting ideas across different domains

This meta-skill becomes incredibly valuable as technology and industries evolve rapidly.

The Hidden Curriculum

Beyond formal coursework, university provides experiences that are hard to replicate elsewhere:

Intellectual Diversity

University exposes you to people from different backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives. This diversity of thought is invaluable for:

  • Understanding different user needs in product development
  • Building inclusive teams
  • Avoiding echo chambers in decision-making
  • Developing empathy and cultural awareness

Collaborative Problem Solving

Group projects (yes, even the frustrating ones) teach you how to:

  • Work with people you didn't choose
  • Navigate different working styles
  • Manage conflicts constructively
  • Deliver results despite interpersonal challenges

These skills directly translate to workplace success, regardless of your field.

Intellectual Humility

University has a way of humbling you. You encounter professors who know vastly more than you, peers who excel in areas where you struggle, and subjects that challenge your assumptions.

This intellectual humility is crucial for:

  • Accepting feedback gracefully
  • Recognizing when you need help
  • Staying curious and open to new ideas
  • Avoiding the Dunning-Kruger effect

Real-World Applications

Let me share some examples of how "irrelevant" degrees create value:

The Philosophy Major in Tech

My friend studied philosophy and now works as a UX researcher. Her degree taught her:

  • How to ask probing questions
  • How to identify unstated assumptions
  • How to think about ethics and human behavior
  • How to construct logical arguments

These skills make her exceptional at understanding user needs and advocating for user-centered design decisions.

The History Major in Business

Another friend has a history degree and runs a successful consulting firm. His historical training helps him:

  • Recognize patterns and trends
  • Understand how systems evolve over time
  • Learn from past successes and failures
  • Think in terms of cause and effect

He applies these skills to help businesses understand market dynamics and plan for the future.

The Literature Major in Marketing

A colleague with an English literature degree leads marketing at a tech startup. Her literary background gives her:

  • Deep understanding of narrative and storytelling
  • Sensitivity to language and tone
  • Ability to analyze and create compelling content
  • Understanding of different audiences and perspectives

She creates marketing campaigns that resonate emotionally with customers, something that's hard to teach through marketing courses alone.

The Network Effect

University also provides access to networks that can be valuable throughout your career:

  • Professors who become mentors and references
  • Classmates who become collaborators and business partners
  • Alumni networks that open doors
  • Career services and internship opportunities

These connections often prove more valuable than the coursework itself.

When University Might Not Be Worth It

I'm not arguing that university is always the right choice. It might not be worth it if:

  • You have a clear path to your goals without it
  • The financial burden would be overwhelming
  • You learn better through hands-on experience
  • You're in a field where skills matter more than credentials
  • You have access to alternative learning opportunities

The key is being honest about your goals, learning style, and circumstances.

The Self-Taught Alternative

Many successful people, especially in tech, are self-taught. This path can work well if you:

  • Are highly self-motivated
  • Can create your own structure and accountability
  • Have access to mentors and communities
  • Are comfortable with uncertainty
  • Can demonstrate your skills through portfolios or projects

But even self-taught professionals often benefit from the thinking frameworks and meta-skills that university provides.

Making University Work for You

If you do choose university, here's how to maximize its value:

1. Focus on Transferable Skills

Don't just memorize facts—focus on developing:

  • Critical thinking abilities
  • Communication skills
  • Research methods
  • Problem-solving frameworks
  • Learning strategies

2. Seek Diverse Experiences

  • Take classes outside your major
  • Engage with people from different backgrounds
  • Participate in extracurricular activities
  • Study abroad if possible
  • Seek internships in different industries

3. Build Relationships

  • Get to know your professors
  • Collaborate meaningfully with classmates
  • Join professional organizations
  • Attend networking events
  • Maintain connections after graduation

4. Apply Learning Practically

  • Work on real projects
  • Start a side business
  • Contribute to open source
  • Write about what you're learning
  • Teach others

The Long Game

University is an investment in your long-term adaptability. In a rapidly changing world, the specific skills you learn today might become obsolete, but the ability to learn, think critically, and adapt will always be valuable.

The psychology major who becomes a data scientist isn't wasting their degree—they're applying their understanding of human behavior to make sense of user data. The art history major who becomes a product manager isn't off-track—they're using their aesthetic sensibilities and analytical skills to create better user experiences.

Conclusion

University isn't job training—it's mind training. It develops cognitive abilities, social skills, and learning strategies that apply across fields and throughout your career.

Yes, you might not work directly in your degree field. But the thinking patterns, communication skills, and intellectual frameworks you develop will influence everything you do.

The question isn't whether your degree will get you a specific job. The question is whether the experience of higher education will make you a more capable, adaptable, and thoughtful person.

In my experience, the answer is usually yes—even if it takes years to fully appreciate how.

The real value of university isn't in the diploma you hang on the wall. It's in the way it changes how you think, learn, and engage with the world. And that value compounds over time, regardless of what job title you end up with.