why take a minor course?

A minor in college often complements a major and allows students to explore another discipline. Students may choose a certain minor to boost their employment prospects or forge a broader worldview.

Full Answer

Why choose a college minor?

Fundamentally, choosing a minor is a great way to enhance any bachelor’s degree. Choosing a college minor in an unrelated field of study can help you expand your general knowledge and understanding of the world.

Should I minor in something before my major?

Minoring in the subject you’re passionate about while majoring in a more broadly applicable or flexible discipline may allow for greater opportunities when change becomes necessary in the future. Furthermore, a minor can cultivate different skills and encourage you to think in ways that may seem unconventional in your major field.

What are the benefits of a minor?

An example of a minor related to a major would be an education student minoring in psychology. An example of a minor that’s not related to a major could be a mathematics major minoring in a foreign language. The reason that a person may consider taking up a minor is because there are many benefits to doing so. 1. A Minor Can Make You Stand Out

How many college courses are needed to complete a minor?

Generally, minors can be completed with about five or six college courses. Nifty, huh? There are some useful benefits that come with adding a minor to your degree. For one, it allows you to get the feel of a particular major without all of the commitment.

What is the point of doing a minor?

Minors in college provide students with the opportunity to learn more about something that they are interested in, whether or not it is related to their major. While majors require a lot of focus, attention, and time during college, minors are much less demanding as they often consist of ten courses or fewer.

Is a minor really useful?

Declaring a minor gives you the opportunity to explore something new, or maybe something you love, but don't really see a career in that subject area for your future. Plus, it looks good on a resume and can put you ahead of the competition!

Do jobs care about minors?

Some employers care about minors, while others don't. The value of minors during job applications depends on the industry and the opinion of hiring managers. Employers who care about minors prefer applicants whose minors are related to their majors and/or the job positions they are applying for.

Will a minor help me get a job?

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.

Why do I want to study a minor?

One of the reasons students choose to study a minor is because of all the benefits it offers. But, if your major and degree program cover all the bases (and then some) you’ll be in a good place when it comes time to start the job search.

Why do I need a minor?

Having a minor — especially one that’s different than your major — can help you pivot into a different career if you’re not finding many opportunities in your major and/or you’re just looking for a change.

Why is it important to take on a rigorous workload while in college?

First and foremost, it shows that you were able to take on a rigorous workload while in college, which demonstrates that you’re good at multitasking, deadlines, and a lot of work in general. It also, of course, makes you more multifaceted and able to understand many concepts at an intellectual level. 2.

Why is it important to have a minor?

Not only does a minor help you pivot into a different career which will ideally lead to more job opportunities, it will also make you a strong candidate in your field to begin with.

How many credits does a minor have?

A minor can be thought of almost like a “mini-major” and it typically runs anywhere between an additional 18 to 30 credits.

What is a minor in school?

A minor is a type of concentration or specialization that may coincide with your major or be completely different. It’s a secondary academic discipline to focus on while you’re in school, which may help you broaden or specify your expertise.

Why do people take minors?

The reason that a person may consider taking up a minor is because there are many benefits to doing so. 1. A Minor Can Make You Stand Out. A minor does a lot of things for you as a student and eventually as a job candidate.

What are the benefits of a college minor?

The benefits of a college minor can be just as direct: Gain Valuable Knowledge. Whether you’re a working adult earning an online BS (or other bachelor’s degree) or a traditional student enrolled in a campus-based program, your goal is to learn and gain new skills.

How to choose a minor in college?

The most straightforward way to choose a college minor is to select from degree programs that are related to your degree program’s focus. If you’re earning an online BS in Business Administration with a healthcare management concentration, you could choose to minor in health studies to increase your overall expertise.

Why do you need a minor on your resume?

In addition to choosing from available concentrations, add a minor to focus on a specific area of study and acquire supplemental knowledge. Just like your major or degree focus, you can list your college minor on your résumé. Doing so can alert potential employers that you have additional valuable skills.

Do you have to declare a minor in college?

Here’s a harder one: “What is your college minor going to be?”. While most bachelor’s degree programs don’t require you to declare a minor, there are reasons you may want to do so—and strategies you can use when deciding which minor is right for you.

Why do you need to minor in a subject?

Furthermore, a minor can cultivate different skills and encourage you to think in ways that may seem unconventional in your major field.

How to get a minor in a field?

1. Emphasizing your work ethic to potential employers. If there’s more than one field you’re interested in, getting a minor in one of them can show that you put in the extra effort required to not just complete a major field of study, but the necessary work to have a minor. There’s almost no downside to having a minor as long as you’re willing ...

Can you decide if a minor is worth the reward?

In the end, only you can decide if a minor, and a major in a different area of study, matters for you and only you can decide if putting in the extra work to declare and complete a minor is worth the reward. Article Sources. Sources.

Why do you choose a minor in college?

College Minors Explained. Students may choose a certain minor to boost their employment prospects or forge a broader worldview. (Getty Images) A college major carries considerable weight in higher education, shaping career paths and lives as students pursue work within a particular discipline.

Why do you need a minor in mines?

Experts say that a minor can also deepen a student's thinking and allow him or her to forge a broader worldview by tapping into interdisciplinary connections. For example, a public affairs minor is also among the most popular options at Mines, according to the college.

What is a minor in computer science?

Simply put, "a minor allows a student the opportunity to add training in another discipline, " explains Tracy Camp, a professor and head of the computer science department at Colorado School of Mines.

How many credit hours are required for a college major?

By contrast, minors generally require 18 credit hours or more, typically in the six- to seven-course range.

When deciding on a minor, should students "research occupations that are a good fit for them and

When deciding on a minor, students should "research occupations that are a good fit for them and utilize their skills, values and interests well, but also look at the job outlook. Look for those occupations and how you can complement your academic studies to help prepare for a career in not only one field but multiple fields," says Jeremy Fisher, ...

Does a minor require as many courses?

It's a lot of coursework, sometimes in two very different fields, and we have to do it methodically. A minor, on the other hand, does not require as many courses. But if it's done methodically, it can be just as potent.".

Is it worth double majoring?

A double major can be economically rewarding, particularly when combining lucrative fields such as business and STEM. But students should consider how such a move fits into their degree program and whether it is worth any extra work and costs it may require.

So what is a college minor?

How does it correlate to the major? Simply put, a minor is a secondary academic discipline—another subject to focus on in addition to the major. If a student has multiple interests—even interests that don’t directly connect to each other–they can minor in another field.

How do you get a minor?

Like majors, students declare minors. Also like majors, minors have special requirements–like mandatory classes or a certain number of credit hours in the subject–in order to complete the program, though usually, the requirements are much less than that of the major.

What are the benefits of having a minor?

In addition to either supporting a major or being a separate field of interest as we’ve discussed, minors can also be a benefit while the student is interviewing for a job or applying to graduate school. Minors show employers or schools that the student is hardworking and can handle an additional workload.

Drawbacks of Minors

While college minors definitely have benefits, there are a few drawbacks to consider.

How to Pick a College Minor

Choosing a college minor depends on your own personal wants and desires! You have two different options here:

What kind of minors are there?

It mostly depends on what the specific college or university offers. Many academic fields have both majors and minors, but some do not have the latter. Sometimes minors don’t even have associated majors, and just stand on their own. It really depends on the specificity of the minor program and the individual institution.

Should I minor in something?

This question depends entirely on the individual student and what they are interested in studying. Some majors have a strict and demanding workload. Overwhelmed students in those majors may not want to minor. Others end up double-minoring in two different subjects. Some might attend a college where the minor they’re interested in isn’t offered.

What is a pro in a minor?

PRO: Effort Recognition. Minoring in something means you’re going above and beyond the bare minimum. That effort can impress potential employers as you’re searching for jobs after graduation. It’s an extra bonus if the minor is in an area applicable to them.

Is a minor a supplementary major?

All that effort and attention can detract from your main focus— your major. A minor is supplementary, it shouldn’t take center stage.

Is a minor good for college?

A college minor can be a great addition to your degree, but there are some drawbacks too. Here are the pros and cons of having a minor in college.

Why do you need a minor?

With the many ways to stand out when applying for jobs, graduate school or professional school, having a minor could be one of them. Taking on the challenge of several extra upper-division courses shows that you are determined, take initiative and can handle the additional workload.

Why is it important to have a minor on your resume?

A minor can become a talking point in an interview when a potential employer sees that you’ve gone above and beyond to complete extra courses.

How to add a minor to a major?

That said, taking on a minor can supplement your major in a useful way. Think about if you need to gain more expertise in an area related to your major to prepare for an advanced degree or work in a professional field. For instance, you could: 1 Learn how to create a more sustainable energy future by adding on any of our three energy minors. 2 Add a classical civilization minor to your history major in preparation to study ancient cultures in graduate school. 3 Complete a minor in hydrology if you are a geology major to find a job working on water issues in California.

What is a good minor for a pre-health student?

Global disease biology is another great minor for pre-health students preparing for careers in public health. And, of course, a professional minor like contemporary leadership, professional writing or communication would be helpful, no matter what job you’re looking for. 2.

1. Declare Sooner Rather Than Later

No pressure, but if you’re starting up your senior year at college, adding a minor will most likely set you back a semester, depending on what courses you have left to finish. If you don’t mind graduating slightly later than anticipated, then go right ahead! (Or, maybe, you can talk with one of your college’s advisors.)

2. Highlight Your Skills

If you’re seeking to add a minor to your degree but you’re not sure just what you’d like to pick, think of your strengths. Are you business savvy? Maybe you’d enjoy Entrepreneurship. Or perhaps you’re a STEM major with a knack for the human condition— Medical Anthropology may tickle your fancy.

3. Talk to an Advisor

If all else fails and you’re still unsure of the best course of action for your academic future, you can’t go wrong with talking to an advisor within your college. Advisors can help direct you towards the best classes, majors and schedules that suit your wants and needs. Helping you plan your future is what they do for a living, after all.