What do I do?

Submitted by SprayOnMe43 t3_127uybd in singularity

For context, I'm 20 years old and about to start university this year (September). I've applied and received an offer for English and Philosophy however with the recent explosion of AI I am thoroughly reconsidering my prospects and what opportunities will actually be available to me once I finish my degree. I see my current choice of English and Philosophy as pointless if I want to get a job after my degree (I know the prospects were quite dismal for this area even before AI) as I can't see how any skills I take from this degree will be ones that AI can't just do.

I really only see occupations that require a form of human connection as having any possibility of staying for a while. Therefore, I am considering something in the field of psychology as there are many avenues to explore with such a degree e.i., therapist, neuroscientist etc. and all seem both rewarding and highly paying.

The reason I am posting here is to see if anyone else can give me advice on this topic and suggest any other areas (that aren't trades, I'm not made for that kinda work) or if this is a good idea.

I understand there are rebuttals to this such as 'nobody likes work be thankful you're growing up in generation that might not have to, we're all going to be on UBI soon anyway...' but I want to go to university and I want to come out with at least a shred of job opportunities that aren't confined to barista or amazon warehouse worker, that's not me trying to belittle those roles, I would just rather try and get a well-paying job if any exist.

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Fair_Jelly t1_jeg2oyh wrote

Don't take career advice from this sub.

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WarmSignificance1 t1_jefx501 wrote

Stop overthinking it. Do what you’re interested in and the rest will usually follow.

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Ago0330 t1_jeg1juz wrote

I’m selling AI systems to companies. The commissions are outrageous.

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MrEloi t1_jefy9t7 wrote

I have just asked my wife - who is an English graduate.

She said she would indeed have second thoughts about taking the course had AI been around at the time.

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just-a-dreamer- t1_jegagwp wrote

Depends on your IQ and strenght and weaknesses.

As for "demand", last time I checked 1/3 of teenage girls have suicidal thoughts for example. Mental health in general is a mess.

Parents, especially rich parents pay enormous sums to kepp their kids save and educated, anybody that works in mental health amd education will do fine.

Then there is the aging society, old people require all sort of things, health care among them. Anybody getting into that sector will do fine.

If you want to really leverage your potential, the military is short on staff, and not just infantery men. The military is in a sense a state within the state with all all roles from tech to health care to legal to education.

The last thing that gets automated are military professionals, for they protect the rich from the poor. It is the only union with real power that protects their members.

If you are into philosophy, you can actually get a job as some military instructor at an academy doing just that.

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SprayOnMe43 OP t1_jegvbde wrote

That is what i'm thinking, people are always going to need medical and mental support and at least for the foreseeable future, they're not going to want a GP or psychiatrist who is an AI, not that that is even possible yet.

The whole military thing for me is a no though. I'm UK based, not American and although I recognise the need for military forces they are generally wielded to create more suffering in the name of greed and I'd rather try to dedicate my life to helping people (as long as I'm not destitute myself lol). I do understand there are roles within the military that are not directly shooting people etc. but I just wouldn't want to uphold a system that I perceive to have so many flaws, but I guess by paying taxes (not that I do that yet as I'm a student currently) I'll be upholding that system either way.

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SovietMcDonalds t1_jego5ag wrote

Dude you can't choose a career based on speculation. For all you know this will impact everyone either way, so do what you want, if anything it might be the best time to do so. But who the fuck knows lol.

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SprayOnMe43 OP t1_jegvq8x wrote

I get what you're saying but I wouldn't consider it speculation to discount the value of a English and Philosophy degree as many news sources are already using AI to write articles, I'm not saying the quality of them is good but it probably will be soon enough. I think speculation is kind of necessary and even if I get it wrong my other options would have been equally worthless.

But yeah, no one knows. It's a very uncertain world.

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MaisonIvoire t1_jegxy8i wrote

English/Philosophy majors can work in lots of different positions, even non-writing oriented ones. And experience and internships will matter more than your degree.

Also seconding someone else: don’t take career advice from this sub.

On another note, where are you considering studying English and Philosophy? I’m looking to return to university to study the same dual major.

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