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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]OP here. I understand that college is expensive and that everyone wants to make a lot of money. And, I’m not suggesting that everyone should major in anthropology or philosophy. Instead, I am suggesting that students could double major or minor in such a subject or at least take classes in them. To the contrary, what I’m seeing is a kid with an elective opting for yoga, nutrition, etc. based on the perception that it’s easy (which it is) and it fits their schedule (nothing in the morning or on Friday), when they could have chosen a serious class in the humanities or liberal arts. I’d like to see a pre-med, business, or computer science major talk to me about how their Buddhism class influenced their thinking about life or their future profession. Or, how different philosophical viewpoints on love impacted their thinking about relationships. [/quote]

I don't know what kids you're talking to but I'm the PP who posted her DD is majoring in anthropology and a minor in philosophy. She is at UVA where they are required to take gen eds, and that's how she found herself in an anthropology class, which she was absolutely inspired by.  This semester she is taking two religion classes, one anthropology and one philosophy. She loves all these classes, especially the discussion classes that she has for each class. She has many friends in her classes, none of whom are anthropology, religion or philosophy majors.  Her business major roommate is finishing up a Buddism class right now.

You are correct that the engineering school kids are not taking these classes, but those in the college of arts and sciences at UVA at least are required to take classes across a broad range of topics, as well as a language (unless they test out) and two intensive writing focused classes.  I'm sure you'll all say but what is your DD going to do for work when she graduates, and yeah that is less clear than if she were a CS major or in the comm school but I believe that college is a time to find yourself and find what you love and then figure out where to go from there. She has an internship in the corporate world so at the same time she's getting real world experience and exposure to career options that way.

Conversely, my nephew who was an econ major at a top 20 school (graduated this past spring) absolutely hates his high paying finance job.  He went into the field because he knew he'd make alot of money, not because he had a passion for it. He sits in front of a computer screen all day and says its soul sucking.   I can't personally imagine spending my life in a job like that no matter what the money is that I bring in. [/quote]

1. Your DD has a corporate internship as an anthropology major? That sounds incredibly rare. I’m guessing you or DH used your connections, right?

2. Your nephew sounds like a brat. Most everyone dislikes their jobs and work for pay. He needs to suck it up and appreciate that he’s in such a high paying job — much better than taking some “hobby” job at an NPO or a think tank and then coming on here in his 30s when he realizes he can’t buy a SFH in a desired school pyramid. He should be grateful that he’s making so much money so young! I bet 99% of college grads would kill to be in his potion. [/quote]

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