#20: Elementary Education
Elementary education draws students who want to become the kind of teacher children remember. They imagine teaching reading, math, science, and social skills while creating a safe classroom where kids feel seen. For many, the degree feels practical because it leads to a recognizable job with a clear purpose.

The disappointment often comes once the workload becomes real. Elementary teachers may spend evenings planning lessons, grading, contacting parents, buying supplies, and managing classroom behavior. The work matters deeply, but pay can lag behind the hours and stress involved, which helps explain why education appears often in regret data.
