When families think about college majors, the conversation often centers on what seems practical or marketable. But the rise of AI is changing the definition of value. It’s no longer just about avoiding disruption. It’s about developing the human skills that AI cannot replicate.

That is where college majors still matter. Just not in the way most people expect.

The Skills That Still Matter

AI can write an essay, analyze trends, and even mimic creativity. But there are three things it cannot do well:

• Curate meaning
• Pursue deep curiosity
• Build real human connection

The majors that still matter are the ones that help students build those capacities.

Curation: Choosing What Matters Most

We are overwhelmed with content. AI has only accelerated the flood. In this environment, the skill of curation has become essential. It is not about collecting more information. It is about choosing what deserves attention.

Majors that emphasize communication, design, business, or media teach students how to filter and frame. But curation also shows up in psychology, education, and the humanities. The best students learn to spot what others miss. They know how to ask, “What is worth sharing?” and “Who needs to hear this?”

In a world drowning in data, the ability to filter noise and elevate what matters is a competitive advantage.

Curiosity: Asking Better Questions

AI works with what already exists. It cannot wonder. It cannot get bored and wander into a better idea. It cannot chase a strange question across disciplines just to see where it leads.

That is the work of curiosity.

Majors like anthropology, classics, environmental science, and philosophy often get overlooked. But these fields teach students how to think with range. They make unusual connections. They push students to study contradictions, complexity, and context.

Some of the most valuable ideas in business and tech have come from people who followed an unexpected thread. Students who lean into curiosity learn to navigate uncertainty. They become problem solvers across industries.

Connectivity: Building Real Trust

AI can automate responses. But it cannot sit across from someone and make them feel seen. It cannot walk into a room and earn trust. It cannot form the kinds of relationships that lead to opportunity and impact.

That is why connection is the skill that sets students apart.

Majors that foster connection include education, social work, public health, organizational leadership, and counseling. But connection also matters in marketing, team-based engineering, and entrepreneurship. Any field that involves people will reward students who know how to listen, build trust, and collaborate with care.

This is not just a feel-good idea. Studies show that strong personal networks drive job offers, promotions, and long-term professional growth. In most careers, success is built on trust.

What This Means for Parents

So what should you do when your teenager expresses interest in a major that does not sound practical?

Shift the conversation. Instead of asking, “What job will this lead to?” try asking:

• What does this major help you notice?
• How does it help you think across disciplines?
• Will it challenge you to grow in curiosity, clarity, or connection?

No major can promise security. But the right major can shape how a student learns, works, and thrives in a world that keeps changing.

We are not preparing students to compete with machines. We are preparing them to be fully human. To care. To think deeply. To build something that lasts.



That is what still matters. And that is the kind of education worth investing in.