It may seem hard enough to graduate from college in the four years expected of you. But the truth is, if you plan your schedule and curriculum well, you can buy yourself an edge in the looming job market with a double major.
Think it’s impossible?
Here’s the math:
You typically take 5 classes per semester.
Assuming that you will graduate in the four years normally “allotted” to you,
5 classes x 8 semesters = 40 classes.
A major typically takes 10 classes to complete—that’s only 25% of your classes. A double major is only 50% of your classes! The others are comprised of “Gen Ed” , “Core Curriculum” requirements, etc. Some of your core requirements for certain majors will also align with those from other majors.
For example, if you double major in Accounting and Finance, you will certainly have overlaps. Even if you double major in Psychology and Sociology you are likely to have overlapping course work.
The rest are up to you!
In addition, many students now enter college with three, four, five, even six AP’s under their belts. If you have achieved a 4 of 5 on your AP exams in those subjects, you are likely to be exempt from several classes in your university’s core curriculum. Then the math becomes even more in your favor.
The other reason to double major is to hedge your bets. Let’s say for example that you have acumen for writing, and hope to someday be a novelist, ghost writer, or speech writer. But you have a nagging (and realistic) fear that English majors are not highly sought after in the job market; at least not right out of college. You would be wise to double major in business so that you can put your writing skills to use writing content for websites, or “white papers” for companies until you have written your first novel. Or major in marketing or advertising--other places to use your English major.
Another way to approach this decision might be to major in one thing you love, and another thing that’s practical. If you love graphic design and art, there’s nothing wrong with studying that…especially if you tack on some other coursework or a major in something like computer science, which will give you the hard skills to apply your design skills right away. You can even do the same thing with a major and a minor, concentration, or whatever your university may call it.
There’s no question that this can take some planning. Feel free to reach out if you need some advice as to how to pursue this.