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> A theater major

Sigh

I'm all for increasing access to education, but these types of majors with 0.02% chance of job placement in their field are a major disservice. Especially so for first-generation college students, and even more so when non-dischargeable debt is involved.

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I wonder who taught that person that it's sane or financially responsible to pick a major like that and harbor any expectation of getting out of poverty.

Large numbers of people who all chanted "do what you love and the money will follow". Which... while not necessarily wrong, doesn't mean that enough money will follow to pay off massive amounts of higher-ed debt. But that part of the equation doesn't get trotted out much...

Oh yes, it's a popular anthem and It's fine if you have no expectation of climbing the socioeconomic ladder. Before picking a major it's common sense to discover salary and job market information before committing to one, it's a no-brainer. This info is free, available from a variety of sources and easy to get: no excuses! Life isn't a feel-good circle jerk where people throw money your way simply out of one's desire to be happy, I'm sure the parents of college kids featured in the article are acutely aware of that, so is it stupidity or delusion that causes them to perpetuate the myth?

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