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Should I double major?

I'm interested in Business Administration but I'm also interested in Marketing and Public Relations. They have many similar (or even same courses.) What should I do? Double major or minor? #majors #minor #college #marketing #women-in-business

marketing majors minor women-in-business
Thank you comment icon Hi There. I'd recommend looking at both degree paths from a double major and then a double minor perspective & determine what your credit hour load will need to be average out to and if it's doable for you and then also seeing how long it will take you to complete either option and if you are ok with the time as I'm sure it may take more than the traditional 4 years. I majored in Business Admin and double minored in Management & MIS. I was able to complete everything in 4 years but did have some semesters in which I took 18 and 21 credit hours which was tough. Also, if you find yourself looking at 5 years to complete both, you might be interested ina 5 year MBA program that some universities offer. Anchalee Robinson
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Ken’s Answer

It might not be necessary to double major. One might be able to major in one and minor in another. However, the best way to know the best answer to that question is through a two step process. Step one is to get to know yourself better to know in which area your personality traits lie. Step two is to talk to people who are doing what you think that you want to do, so that you can get pertinent information from those people who have inside experience. The following are suggestions that I have developed from my many years in Human Resources and College Recruiting.

Ken recommends the following next steps:

The first step is to take an interest and aptitude test and have it interpreted by your school counselor to see if you share the personality traits necessary to enter the field. You might want to do this again upon entry into college, as the interpretation might differ slightly due to the course offering of the school. However, do not wait until entering college, as the information from the test will help to determine the courses that you take in high school. Too many students, due to poor planning, end up paying for courses in college which they could have taken for free in high school.
Next, when you have the results of the testing, talk to the person at your high school and college who tracks and works with graduates to arrange to talk to, visit, and possibly shadow people doing what you think that you might want to do, so that you can get know what they are doing and how they got there. Here are some tips: ## http://www.wikihow.com/Network ## ## https://www.themuse.com/advice/nonawkward-ways-to-start-and-end-networking-conversations ## ## https://www.themuse.com/advice/4-questions-to-ask-your-network-besides-can-you-get-me-a-job?ref=carousel-slide-1 ##
Locate and attend meetings of professional associations to which people who are doing what you think that you want to do belong, so that you can get their advice. These associations may offer or know of intern, coop, shadowing, and scholarship opportunities. These associations are the means whereby the professionals keep abreast of their career area following college and advance in their career. Here are some tips: ## https://www.careeronestop.org/BusinessCenter/Toolkit/find-professional-associations.aspx?&frd=true ## ## https://www.themuse.com/advice/9-tips-for-navigating-your-first-networking-event ##
It is very important to express your appreciation to those who help you along the way to be able to continue to receive helpful information and to create important networking contacts along the way. Here are some good tips: ## https://www.themuse.com/advice/the-informational-interview-thank-you-note-smart-people-know-to-send?ref=recently-published-2 ## ## https://www.themuse.com/advice/3-tips-for-writing-a-thank-you-note-thatll-make-you-look-like-the-best-candidate-alive?bsft_eid=7e230cba-a92f-4ec7-8ca3-2f50c8fc9c3c&bsft_pid=d08b95c2-bc8f-4eae-8618-d0826841a284&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=daily_20171020&utm_source=blueshift&utm_content=daily_20171020&bsft_clkid=edfe52ae-9e40-4d90-8e6a-e0bb76116570&bsft_uid=54658fa1-0090-41fd-b88c-20a86c513a6c&bsft_mid=214115cb-cca2-4aec-aa86-92a31d371185&bsft_pp=2 ##
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Keith’s Answer

I don't believe a double major is necessary, as you get into the marketplace you do want to distinguish yourself from others but I am not sure a double major is the correct course. I would be most concerned with what are your interests and more importantly what is your passion. Take the courses that will introduce the concepts and you will find your area of interest. Distinguish yourself with your internships and your passion, not necessary to have a double major especially in areas that can be so similar.
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Austin’s Answer

Nata, good question. While Business Administration+ Marketing and Public Relations may have many of the same classes, I would check that you can use one class and count it as credit for both fields of study. Some schools don't allow you to douple count courses and this will impact your decision (my school did not allow the majority of my classes to fulfill more than one requirement). If your school allows you to double count classes and you are able to balance the increase in work load, then go ahead and double major. Be warned that this will mean that you will have to work more and you will need to be able to balance more responsibilities, but this is entirely possible to do.


Having two majors never hurts and it can only help, it shows that you are a hard worker and are able to take on an increase in work load. This isn't to say that having a single major is bad or less than (I had one major and one minor), just that having two majors will sometimes impress a potential employer more so than a single major. I had many friends in college who double majored and they had no issue balancing the work load, so do not feel overwhelmed. If you feel as if you won't be able to handle the work load, then don't double major and instead make one of them a minor.


Think about the pros and cons of the decision and whether or not you will be able to handle the additional work load and added responsibility.


Best,

Austin

Austin recommends the following next steps:

Think about the added pros and cons
Ask yourself whether or not you will be able to handle the added workload
Thank you comment icon Here are some additional things to think about: if you want to increase your chances of getting interviews with campus recruiting - don't sacrifice your grades for a double major. Campus recruiters have to sift through hundreds of resumes to decide who they will invite to an initial interview on-campus. Campus recruiters will create a minimum GPA cut-offs for resumes before they even read the resumes. As a result, it is better to learn one subject very well rather than learn two subjects sort of well. A minor area of study is a great way to add depth to your knowledge. Keep your passion for business, marketing and public relations. Regardless of what initial path you chose, remember you are not closing the door to any of the opportunities. Tony Angino
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