A new report has turned expectations about employability on their head, showing that graduates of nutrition, construction services, and animal/plant sciences have the lowest unemployment rates among recent U.S. college graduates—beating even traditional STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) fields such as chemistry and physics. The findings, released by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and published in Entrepreneur on May 16, highlight changing dynamics in the labor market and have important implications for Thai students considering their future studies.
For years, the narrative in both the U.S. and Thailand has centered around STEM degrees as a golden ticket to career security and high incomes. However, the latest data, which tracked unemployment rates of graduates aged 22 to 27 in 2023, found that majors related to nutrition sciences, construction services, and animal or plant sciences had unemployment rates of just 1% or lower. In contrast, computer science, chemistry, and physics majors experienced much higher rates, at 6% or above, with computer engineering reaching 7.5%.
This report comes at a crucial time for the Thai higher education sector. As parents and students increasingly prioritize employability in a challenging economic climate—Thailand’s own graduate underemployment rate has been described as a “structural mismatch” (Bangkok Post)—the new U.S. findings offer food for thought about how strictly Thai youth should follow conventional wisdom in degree selection. The Federal Reserve’s figures also show that art history (3% unemployment) and philosophy (3.2%) outperformed the nationwide U.S. unemployment average of 4.2% in April 2024 for all workers.
While pay is certainly a consideration, the study suggests that lower unemployment is not always coupled with top salaries. Art history and English majors made annual median earnings of roughly $45,000, philosophy majors $48,000, and nutrition majors $75,000. By comparison, the U.S. median personal income in 2023 was $42,220—a figure aligned with the starting salaries in many Thai urban sectors, after currency adjustment. On the other hand, technology fields such as computer science and engineering remained among the highest paid ($80,000 median for both disciplines), despite the much higher risk of unemployment after graduation.
A striking trend reflected in the data is the increasing requirement for advanced degrees in some disciplines. Among recent graduates, 58% of philosophy, 48% of art history and nutrition, and over two-thirds of physics and chemistry graduates pursued or obtained graduate-level education. For physics graduates, further study appeared to pay off, with a median annual earnings of $70,000; chemistry followed at $55,000. In Thailand, the demand for higher qualifications is also growing—particularly for competitive public positions and research-intensive industries. Yet, these pathways typically require additional time and investment.
The rationale behind the employability figures goes beyond simple job abundance. Corporate leaders are now publicly endorsing the value of humanities majors. At a recent conference, BlackRock’s chief operating officer described how even a finance and technology powerhouse now actively recruits graduates from non-STEM fields because of the diversity of thought they bring (Entrepreneur). “We have more and more conviction that we need people who majored in history or English, in things that have nothing to do with finance or technology,” he stated. “It’s that diversity of thinking and diversity of people and diversity of looking at different ways to solve problems, that really fuels innovation.”
Thai employers may find this international trend useful to consider. In recent years, major Thai conglomerates have repeatedly cited a shortage of applicants who can think critically, communicate effectively, and adapt to rapid change—attributes closely associated with a liberal arts education. Interviews with human resources specialists in Bangkok have highlighted these “soft skills” as differentiators amid an otherwise highly competitive graduate pool.
The hiring landscape is shifting yet further due to the rapid uptake of artificial intelligence (AI) in professional settings. According to the article, Microsoft’s chief executive revealed that AI now generates between 20% and 30% of all code written by the company’s engineers—a figure echoed by Google, where AI produces more than 30% of code. In a world where machines increasingly automate technical tasks, the argument for pairing technical knowledge with broader analytical or philosophical training gains weight. Goldman Sachs’ chief information officer even suggested that computer science degrees may need to be augmented with philosophy or humanities coursework in order to remain relevant and resilient in the AI era (Entrepreneur).
This global context provides valuable lessons for Thailand’s schools and universities. The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation has urged institutions to offer more interdisciplinary programs and reconsider rigid national curricula, but progress has been slow (Bangkok Post). The latest U.S. data suggest that universities which equip students with both profession-specific knowledge and broader critical thinking skills may give their graduates a distinct advantage in an uncertain labor market.
Past research within Thailand supports this view. A 2023 study in the “Journal of Population and Social Studies” found that Thai graduates with skills in problem-solving and adaptability were more likely to secure full-time employment within six months of graduation, regardless of their field. Interestingly, some “high risk” Thai majors—such as performing arts—scored surprisingly high on graduate satisfaction and employment in niche sectors, especially when combined with business or communication skills (Journal of Population and Social Studies, 2023).
Analysts predict that the intersection of technological upheaval and shifting corporate priorities will continue to upend job market expectations. Some professions, especially those high on routine or repetitive skills, are likely to disappear or evolve as AI matures. At the same time, roles demanding emotional intelligence, ethical reasoning, and creativity—the hallmarks of a liberal arts education—are forecast to grow in importance. In turn, students will need to look beyond salary tables and consider long-term career resilience and fulfillment.
For Thai students, practical recommendations can be distilled from the report’s conclusions:
- Think strategically about field of study, but don’t be afraid to choose an unconventional or “non-STEM” major, especially if paired with sought-after skills or advanced training.
- Pursue internships and part-time work in diverse sectors to gain experience and build networks before graduation.
- Where possible, combine technical courses with those in communication, ethics, and critical thinking to ensure lifelong adaptability.
- Monitor labor market trends, both in Thailand and internationally, as the job landscape continues to evolve in response to AI and globalization.
Ultimately, the U.S. findings remind Thai students, parents, and educators to keep an open mind. While a STEM degree might offer high starting pay, it does not guarantee safety from unemployment in the age of rapid technological change. In a society still attached to the prestige of certain majors and universities, the real winners may be graduates able to bridge worlds—combining specialist knowledge, broad perspective, and the willingness to keep learning.