I think we all know that our current economic situation is a fine example of misplaced priorities. Instead of Congress doing the job they were elected to do and raise the debt limit, which under normal circumstances is routine, our elected representatives, especially those on the right, have decided to play a disastrous game of chicken with our economy. Instead of funding massive infrastructure projects that would rebuild America and put many of the unemployed back to work we sit and watch as the party formerly known as the Republicans hold a metaphorical gun to the head of the American people.
However, Congress is not the only place where American priorities are in the wrong place. In a recent survey the worst paying college degrees were ranked. The results show how misplaced our priorities really are. (One way our priorities are skewed is that a bachelor degree’s main purpose should be to create a well rounded person…not train someone for a specific occupation, that is what trade schools are for.)
1. Child and Family Studies
Starting median salary: $29,600; mid-career median salary: $40,500
2. Elementary Education
Starting median salary: $32,400; mid-career median salary: $44,000
3. Social Work
Starting median salary: $32,200; mid-career median salary: $44,300
5. Special Education
Starting median salary: $34,300; mid-career median salary: $47,800
9. Public Health
Starting median salary: $35,500; mid-career median salary: $51,700
Of the top—or bottom—ten, depending on your perspective, half of the occupations on the list are occupations that are vital to modern society. Three involve children and their education. The other two involve elements that modern society requires to care for the least fortunate among us.
How is it then that of these five important occupations are some of the lowest paid out of college? We depend upon the work of educators to teach our children. We rely on those that have gone through child and family studies to care for our children while we are at work. Special education teachers have the most difficult job, working with children and adults with a variety of physical, mental and emotional issues. Educating them so that they can have some semblance of a normal life. (I have friends and relatives in this occupation—my hat is off to them. I do not know how they can do it every day.)
Social workers and public health employees do more good in this world then can possibly be described in a simple blog post. In simple terms the men and women who work in these occupations are unsung heroes, they help those whose lives are in turmoil and help return them to some sense of normalcy. The amount of compassion that the social worker or public health worker gives is boundless.
Educators, childcare workers, social workers and public health employees are the very people that keep the social fabric of our society together. They help the helpless, challenge our children to be the best they can be. They work to provide those in need with a better life, and work tirelessly to provide healthcare to those without access the health insurance. Why do we not value the people in these occupations more? Why is it that a young man who has not graduated from college can earn more than all of these occupations combined just because he can catch a ball or shoot a basket? Why is it that some of those in power have decided that the people who have to pay the price for the failings of Wall Street are the very people who hold our society together?
No one went into these occupations to get rich. They went into these careers to help their fellow man—our leaders could learn a lot from them, if only they would listen to them. Then, maybe then we could get out priorities straight in this nation and get back on the right track.