Even STEM can be a bad investment, depending on what you do. I graduated with a degree in Chem, wanting to do nanoscale computers and -later- optical computing. Found out 3rd year that unless I got a doctorate, I'd be a glorified lab rat. What's worse is that even if I got a doctorate, I'd still be a lab rat while trying to get one and would have a sliver of a chance to get a job anyways. My choice? I graduated, but didn't do grad school. Think of that next to you wonder why STEM jobs aren't being filled. There were some redeeming measures of school. I got a minor in CS, some text on my resume that says I went to school and got good grades - the first step for many companies to even consider you - and learned about a number of really good books I might not have encountered by just randomly exploring the net. Still, I probably would've done better without school. I will now take this opportunity to mention that I'm still looking for work, albeit sunny Cal is too expensive for me to consider jobs out there.