Majors, minors, specializations and concentrations. All of this “college jargon” can become confusing for college students and become difficult to decipher exactly what each means and what each actually does for a student.
Even most college graduates aren't exactly sure what some of these aspects mean unless they have earned the honors themselves. But, as a college student, you should be aware of what your options are.
Some degrees require you to have a minor or specialization, while others do not. Even if your major or degree pursuit does not require you to have a minor, it can be beneficial to take one on in order to provide yourself with a well-rounded education. As a bonus, you’ll be able to learn more about a subject you’re passionate about.
If you haven’t considered getting a minor, here are some reasons why you may want to consider it:
Get the Most Out of Your Education
You’re already paying through the nose for your education, so why not get your money’s worth? While you are in school, learn as much as you possibly can while you’re there.
A minor does not take all that much extra time or effort, especially when you’re minoring in a subject that relates to your major or is something you’re passionate about and enjoy learning.
Build the Foundation for a Second Degree or Double Major
If you do
decide to minor in a subject, you will build a foundation for
gaining a second degree or adding an additional major.
You won’t have to take this route but, should you decide you love the subject, you will already have the coursework under your belt to do so.
Many students intend on minoring in a subject only to discover that they love the subject matter enough to pursue it full-time in order to gain an additional degree.
Increases Your Chances of Employment
Having a degree will look great to a potential employer, however, when it comes to your education, the more accolades you accumulate, the more appealing it will become.
A minor will boost your regular degree over other candidates and demonstrate that you are willing to go above and beyond.
More importantly, it shows potential employers that, when it comes to learning, you are eager to learn as much as you can and are willing to put in the extra effort.
Looks Great on a Resume
It never hurts to have even more to put on your resume under the “education” area! The more education you acquire, the better equipped you appear to a potential employer – it’s that simple.
Learn More about Your Passion
While you should be passionate about your major, your minor will provide you with the opportunity to really hone in on the area in which you’re most passionate. Often times, you will not want to choose a major that’s too specific in nature in order to limit yourself but, with a minor, there’s much less risk in doing so.
That way, you can have the best of both worlds: a major that allows you the freedom of having a broad scope of knowledge and a minor that focuses on what you love.
Adds to Your Expertise
A minor allows you to specialize in an area to give you an extra edge so that, when it comes time for your job search, you have added expertise within that area.
You’ll be able to search for jobs that specifically value your given knowledge in that area.
Often times, other candidates will only have your basic degree without the added specialization of your minor, giving you an added advantage.
