NASHVILLE, Tenn. -
Not all college degrees are created equally, according to Monster.com, one of the largest employment Web sites. The Web site recently put out a list of the Worst Paying College Degrees of 2011.
The list includes degrees in Child & Family Services, Elementary Education, Social Work, Culinary Arts, Special Education, Recreation & Leisure Studies, Religious Studies, Athletic Training, Public Health and Art.
Entry level jobs in such fields, many focused on helping others, start at around $30,000.
Dr. Richard Parrent, Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs and Director of the Office of Career Placement, Cooperative Education and Service Learning at Volunteer State Community College in Sumner County believes that burnout and heavy job turnover could be one reason many of these degrees produce low paying salaries.
"The reason why these are low paying is because there's a lot of burnout. When you get into a career field like that, you're dealing with lots of people with lots of different issues," Dr. Parrent told Nashville's News 2.
While Dr. Parrent says money is a big draw for students when deciding what degree to pursue, he encourages them to look beyond the potential salary.
"What is it that drives you toward joy or happiness, sustainability of employment and is it money? Because if it's money you might want to reconsider what it is the career that you're thinking about," he said, "If money is the only thing than why would someone choose or select to be in a certain career."
However, if your degree is one of those on the worst paying list, a little extra schooling could make a difference.
Dr. Parrent added, "To move up or progress in some of those career fields also means much, much higher need for you to go back and become either more educated and spend more time maybe with certification and such."
Ultimately, Dr. Parrent believes it boils down to choosing a degree and career in something that matches your skill set, but also a career you enjoy.
"What's really most important is they get through the academic program and the general education courses, then better define what it is they want to do based upon not necessarily money alone but also based upon what they really enjoy doing," he said.
For many students at Volunteer State who are pursuing degrees on Monster.com's list, they say they are not motivated by money, but rather the idea of helping people.
"Just to think of a child being abused or hurt, something in me just won't let that go," said Kiana Butler, who is studying to be a social worker.
Cody Ellis is thinking about a degree in teaching and added, "A lot of people are straying away from teaching but I think I'll probably stick with it and try and make a difference."
"I just thought I could help people. That is one of my main goals," Ariel Wright, who is studying to be an Athletic Trainer, told Nashville's News 2.
Monster.com also released a list of the top 10 highest paying college degrees.
Click here to view the list.
