Knowing what major you want to pursue is one of the first steps you can take for your college career. Choosing your major means having a better idea of what fields of study interest you — and what you want your future career to look like. But academic curiosity doesn’t have to stop once you declare an area of study. Adding a college minor to your degree can expand your studies and open up you to a world of different interests.
What is a College Minor?
A college minor is a secondary specialization in a bachelor’s degree that accompanies a college major. During their undergraduate studies, students with a college minor can pursue an additional area of interest that takes up fewer classes and time compared to a major. It can also allow you to explore a field outside your study and develop skills you wouldn’t be able to focus on otherwise.
Double Major vs. Minor
There’s a difference between adding a minor to your major and majoring in two different fields. A double major refers to a student completing the amount of units for two degrees, while a college minor requires fewer units than your first major.
Being a double major involves more time dedicated to your school schedule and could mean greater costs. Adding a college minor often cuts this time in half while simultaneously broadening your regular coursework — allowing you more room to take classes that interest you without majoring in two different fields. A double major essentially gives you a well-rounded scope of study in both areas, but it is sometimes a challenge to complete within 4 years (depending on each major’s requirements). A minor is easier to fit into your 4-year schedule.
Why Should You Add a Minor?
Pairing your major with an undergrad minor can enhance your field of study. Minors can equip you by equipping you with a different set of skills that can be applied to your main practice. Not to mention, adding a minor to your degree can help you stand out to potential employers by showing them that your skills are versatile and unique.
Adding an undergrad minor can also help students to broaden their knowledge and skills in another area. STEM majors can step into a world of literature while a humanities major can try their hand at a business economics course — without comprising the degree they’re pursuing as an undergraduate.
How to Choose a College Minor
1. Think about career goals
Regardless of whether or not you add a college minor, examining where you want to be years down the road can be helpful for any student. When considering adding a minor, it might be worth it to choose a subject related to your major, ensuring that you’re continuing to learn all you can about your chosen field. For example, marketing majors may add a communication minor to hone in on their interpersonal skills, or a finance minor to be better prepared to work with accounting. Having a wider skill set can help set you apart from other candidates in future interviews.
2. Consider subjects you are interested in.
Higher education helps you not only hone your skills but also allows you to explore your passions—and a college minor is a great opportunity to dive into other fields that speak to these interests. Examining your hobbies can give you the best insight into choosing a minor.
Is there something you’ve always wanted to pursue but didn’t think was manageable in the past? Design? Physics? Performing arts? An undergrad minor may be the perfect chance to devote your time to these personal outlets without straying away from your original college major.
How Does Adding a Minor Help Your Career?
There’s another thing to consider: do employers care about minors? Oftentimes, what employers value is what skills can be brought to the company. Obtaining a college minor may show your future employer that in a sea of candidates, you have unique skills outside your specific field and have something new to bring to the table. Developing and learning multiple skills (which a college minor can bring) can help you stand out in this sea of candidates.
For example, soft skills can be developed by pursuing studies outside your chosen field. Chances are, when applying for a job other candidates will have similar skills to yours. Your resume can stand out to potential employers when you show your discipline goes beyond just one practice. One undergraduate director noted that what’s unique about a minor isn’t necessarily job-market driven. Instead, having a college minor shows employers that the student has interests that go beyond their field of study.
Adding a minor may also help your college career be more fulfilling. Your minor has the chance to give you two vastly different sides of study and equip you with a unique perspective that you don’t get everywhere else. Engaging in a similar or entirely different curriculum not only diversifies your education but allows you to graduate knowing you were able to experience more than one college experience.
Take the Next Step to a Well-Rounded Education
You won’t regret adding on to your education. At PLNU, we offer a variety of college minors to accompany your program of choice, equipping you with various skills to take the next step. Here, students have the unique opportunity to gain knowledge in various disciplines. With efficient planning and time management, students can complete their college minors during their time at PLNU. Whether it be a college major or a minor, PLNU allows them to explore their interests and find who they’re called to be.