Choosing a course in 2026 is not something a student should do based on guesswork, parental pressure, or old information from the past. The job market has shifted dramatically, and the courses that once guaranteed prestige and employment are no longer relevant today. Technology, automation, AI, the digital economy, and global competition have reshaped industries in ways that make some degrees nearly useless or financially unrewarding.While no course is completely “bad”, some have significantly lower employment opportunities, poor salaries, limited relevance, and little or no industry demand in 2026. Many graduates from these fields end up unemployed, underpaid, or forced to pursue an entirely different career path.This article breaks down 10 courses you should avoid in 2026, why they struggle, and what alternatives you should consider. If you are a parent, student, or guidance counselor, this is highly important.
The world today is driven by:
Courses that do not align with these realities naturally suffer. Employers no longer prioritize degrees—they prioritize skills, portfolio, creativity, technical experience, and problem-solving ability.Also, millions of new graduates enter the labour market yearly, yet job growth in many traditional fields is shrinking. Some courses now produce far more graduates than there are job openings.In addition, many universities still operate with outdated curricula—teaching 1990 knowledge in 2026. Students come out with certificates but no modern relevance, making employment nearly impossible.This is why avoiding certain courses is not negativity—it is self-protection.
History is important academically, but the modern job market does not reward it except you plan to become a teacher or lecturer. Outside the educational sector, companies rarely hire history graduates unless they possess non-historical skills like writing, research, or data analysis.
Most history graduates end up learning a completely different skill after school.
Generally low unless you switch careers.
Libraries are digitizing. Physical library jobs are disappearing. Schools and universities no longer hire librarians the way they did 20 years ago. Automated cataloging software handles many tasks that librarians used to do manually.
Most graduates end up working in unrelated fields.
Low to moderate; stagnates quickly.
Philosophy is intellectually stimulating but doesn’t convert into practical employability in most industries. Unless you pursue law, theology, ethics consultancy, or academia, job options are extremely limited.
Many philosophy graduates end up chasing jobs unrelated to their degree.
Generally low unless you transition into law or counselling.
Unless you plan to be a minister, religious teacher, or clergy worker, this course limits your career options. Jobs outside religious institutions are almost non-existent.
These roles are limited and often not high paying.
Pure Chemistry is extremely broad, but companies want specialists:
A degree in general chemistry often fails to prepare students for specific roles. This makes graduates unemployable unless they pursue advanced studies.
Moderate but highly competitive, and often requires postgraduate degrees.
Sociology produces too many graduates, but job openings have not grown. Most sociology graduates struggle because the course is theory-heavy and lacks practical career direction.
These roles are not related to the degree and are often low paying.
Traditional fine art—painting, sculpture, textile design—has limited commercial value unless you are exceptionally gifted or already connected. Modern art and creative industries now require digital skills.
The market is moving toward digital content creation, not traditional artwork.
Mass Communication used to be a hot cake. In 2026, the media industry has changed drastically:
A mass communication degree that does not include digital media skills is outdated.
Low for beginners; competition is extremely high.
Agriculture is becoming automated. Traditional animal production roles are fewer, and most Animal Science graduates cannot access high-level agricultural opportunities.
(Examples: Curriculum Studies, Educational Foundations, General Education)
Teaching is important, but the number of education graduates far exceeds the number of teaching jobs available. Many schools now:
General education degrees do not provide specialization in:
Without specialization, graduates face extreme competition.
Often low, inconsistent, and reliant on private school structures.
Technology and modern economics have replaced many roles.
Thousands graduate yearly with no job opportunities waiting.
Most Nigerian and African universities still teach outdated topics.
The industries associated with these courses pay very low.
Many of the degrees cannot secure international jobs.
Modern employers want skills, not just certificates.
Even if you are already studying one of these courses, your future is not ruined. You simply need to add modern skills that connect your degree to real job opportunities.
These skills can transform even the weakest degree into a valuable one.
Before choosing a course:
Your course should give you opportunities, not struggles.
The goal of this article is not to look down on any course, but to guide students towards careers with real demand, sustainable income, and future relevance. The world is changing fast, and students who choose wisely today will enjoy a better tomorrow.
