By Taylor Craig
The job market sucks. We are about to enter the most competitive job market in history, so we need to take advantage of every opportunity to gain an edge so it is important to know how to get a college minor. Not only will a college minor make you a well-rounded individual, but it can also give you a leg up in the job market, and it won’t take you any longer to graduate if you plan it right. If you need more convincing, here are five reasons why you should declare a college minor before it’s too late.
1. A college minor is a solid resume booster
A college minor considerably increases your marketability. If there are two candidates being considered for a position and both have business degrees, the one with a college minor is much more likely to be hired. According to The New York Times, a minor increases your chances of success in the business world. “You’ve heard of diversifying a financial portfolio … a minor can diversify your educational portfolio.”
2. Grad schools don’t play
Competition for graduate school can be cutthroat. Thousands of students apply for an incredibly limited number of spots. Getting a college minor can show determination, commitment, and a willingness to go the extra mile. Even the slightest advantage may decide your educational fate. So make the most out of your college degree and stack the odds in your favor.
3. Confidence boost
Having a college minor can boost confidence and add prestige. Now my favorite part of family gatherings is when my family asks me what I’m doing in college. I can confidently reply, “I’m majoring in communications with an emphasis in interpersonal relationships and a minor in psychology.” There is usually a look of shock on my relative’s faces because I (at least sound like I) know what I’m doing.
4. Minor in something you love, major in something that will pay the bills
This was a common phrase during our grandparent’s generation and it still rings true today. Many people choose their major based on expected salary. Let’s be real, college degrees are not cheap, so we may as well major in something that will make us money to pay back those student loans. A college minor, on the other hand, can be chosen out of passion and fun. Most universities offer a number of interesting minors like cinema, creative writing, medieval history, comic art, astrobiology, and even bagpiping. So, pick something you love to add to your schedule!
5. Get the most bang for your buck, and college degree
Most colleges mandate more than 15 hours of electives to complete the core requirements for graduation. Instead of wasting time by taking random classes that don’t correlate to your degree and won’t help you in the long run, use those hours to get a college minor in something. Some of your major requirements will likely overlap with your minor requirements, so you may already be halfway to getting your minor and not even know it!
Taking on a college minor has many benefits and the process of attaining one is not difficult. It’s as easy as talking to your advisor, declaring the minor, and taking the required classes. So look into it now!
Does your school offer some interesting minors? Review your college and let others know.
About the author
Taylor is a senior at Tarleton State University. She is a member of the Presidential Honors Program and the president of the Tarleton Scholars Society. She is majoring in communications, with an emphasis in communicating in relationships, and a minor in psychology. She loves Jesus, wears too much flannel, and is obsessed with The Lord of the Rings.