Raising Humans in the Age of AI: Why Fewer Teens Want to Teach, Care, or Lead—and What Parents Can Do About It

In the rush to help our kids succeed, we may be quietly steering them away from the very roles that hold our communities together.



Careers in teaching, social work, counseling, journalism, and the humanities were once seen as noble, purpose-driven paths. But today’s college students are walking away from them in large numbers. And while it’s tempting to celebrate the surge in tech and health degrees, there’s a deeper story beneath the data—one that every parent of a teenager needs to hear.

According to a recent analysis by the Burning Glass Institute:

  • Education majors declined by nearly 9% between 2018 and 2023
  • Social work fell 18%
  • Journalism dropped 31%
  • Majors in English, history, and philosophy fell 15–39%


At the same time, other majors are soaring:

  • Computer science is up 52%
  • Biomedical engineering has grown 48%
  • Neuroscience nearly doubled (+85%)
  • Nursing increased by 32%
  • Public health rose by 29%


Students are flooding into what we might call the “profitable majors”—degrees that promise clear economic value and high demand in a digital economy. It makes sense. College is more expensive than ever, and today’s teens have grown up in a world that values efficiency, security, and skill.


But here’s the question: Are we optimizing for the future—or abandoning the human side of it?


When Everyone Majors in Tech

There’s no denying the rise of AI and automation has transformed how students think about college. Many are choosing majors that align with where the workforce is going: data science, machine learning, computer engineering.


And yes, we need students who can build smart systems, write efficient code, and analyze massive data sets.


But as AI continues to advance, the work that can’t be automated will matter more than ever. That includes mentoring a struggling student. Supporting a family in crisis. Writing a story that helps a community make sense of the world. Designing systems that reflect real human values. These are the skills cultivated in the very majors now in decline.


Ironically, the more we innovate, the more we need people who can lead with empathy, creativity, and judgment. We need more humans in the loop—not fewer.


What We’re Losing—and Why It Matters

The declining interest in teaching and social services isn’t just a pipeline problem—it’s a cultural signal. Students are telling us what they think is valued. And right now, they don’t see care, community, or communication being rewarded.


That has real-world consequences:

  • Fewer future teachers = deeper shortages in classrooms nationwide
  • Fewer social workers = reduced capacity to care for vulnerable populations
  • Fewer humanities majors = fewer leaders trained to think critically in an AI-powered world


We’re not just seeing students shift majors. We’re watching a generation drift away from careers rooted in service, storytelling, and public good.


What Parents Can Do—Right Now

This isn’t about pushing your teen toward one “right” major. It’s about expanding the lens—and asking better questions.


1. Start with Strengths, Not Just Salary Projections
Ask your teen:

  • What kinds of problems do you enjoy solving?
  • When do you feel most energized—collaborating, helping, building, researching?
  • What do people often come to you for?

The answers can point toward fulfilling paths that also have economic value—especially in an evolving job market shaped by AI.


2. Help Them Explore, Not Specialize Too Early
Before locking into a major, encourage your teen to shadow professionals, try out internships, or volunteer in different fields. A week with a school counselor or nonprofit director can shift their perspective more than a year of classroom lectures.


3. Don’t Dismiss the Service Professions
Social work, education, journalism, and public health might not be the flashiest careers, but many are becoming more essential in an AI world. These roles can’t be replaced by machines—and many now intersect with technology in surprising ways (think: mental health apps, civic tech, edtech).


4. Pair Purpose with Practicality
If your teen loves literature or psychology, encourage them to also gain skills in research, data, communication, or UX design. The best degrees in the AI era will blend human insight with technical fluency.


5. Choose Colleges That Encourage Mission-Driven Learning
Look for schools that invest in community engagement, interdisciplinary programs, and leadership development. The strongest colleges today help students combine their values and interests with a real-world toolkit—including how to work alongside, and not be replaced by, intelligent systems.