> So I didn't grow up in the United States so I am not aware of what high school counsellors teach kids, but are there people really selling the idea that if yo

> So I didn't grow up in the United States so I am not aware of what high school counsellors teach kids, but are there people really selling the idea that if you go to Podunk university and study Asian comparative literature, you will end up with a good job? Yes. And it wasn't just HS guidance councilors pushing this - parents were saying the same thing. That's because as the white collar workforce in the US expanded in the 1960s through the early 80s, many positions just asked for a 4-year degree. The idea was a college degree showed you were teachable in advanced subjects and you'd do most of your learning on the job. Since then (US) employers have shifted away from job training and prefer candidates who can "hit the ground running." -- either by job experience or relevant degree or both. Unfortunately, many schools and parents did not pick up on this change for whatever reason.