I think he's just jealous

I despise it when parents feel they must belittle their offspring at every opportunity, then wonder why those offspring visit less and less frequently. Keep your head up, OP!

tell him that people with graduate degrees are the ones who make the real contributions to society. IMO people who do research should be given far more respect than people with "real" jobs

And this matters why? He's a dad they say things like that odds are he meant it as a joke. My dad would have.

In his defense, this is a valid question. Studying, even for a Master's doesn't bring home the bacon.

Am I the only one that first wondered if the dad meant did op have a good job outside of school? I thought he meant does op have a paid internship or something instead of just working at a grocery store or something. Cause seeing as op is currently in school I wouldn't consider that a job yet. I figured if the dad was talking about op's major choice than he would ask "so did you go into a real specialty yet?" Or degree or whatever. I realize he's probably talking about op's school choice but it seems he meant job in between school. It's a possibility.

You sir waste tax payer's money

And with that remark, you're already longing to go home. Thanks family, for always finding a way to put your judgements before anything positive.

Let me give you a little history lesson: I know someone who got a $200,000 degree in History from the University of Notre Dame about 15 years ago. Today he does home inspections. The dad has a point.

I want to major in history, hopefully my parents will be more supportive.