17 answers
Samantha
Student
2
Questions
Updated
2115 views
What is the benefit of incorporating a minor into a college degree?
I am thinking of adding a machine learning minor to my psychology major in college. However, I am unsure if this is the right path. I am not well versed in computer science and simply wanted to gain knowledge on the topic. Any advice is appreciated.
Login to comment
17 answers
Wong Loke Yuen
Head of Programme cum Senior Lecturer
759
Answers
Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Updated
Wong’s Answer
Hello Samantha. Adding a minor to a college degree can provide several benefits. A minor allows you to explore a subject outside your major, develop additional skills, and demonstrate a broader academic background to future employers or graduate schools.
In your case, a machine learning minor could pair surprisingly well with a psychology major. Modern psychology increasingly uses data analysis, statistics, and computational methods to study human behavior. Knowledge of machine learning may be useful in areas such as cognitive science, mental health technology, etc.
You do not need to be an expert in computer science before starting a machine learning minor. Many students enter these programs with little or no programming experience. Overall, a machine learning minor can be a strong complement to a psychology degree, especially if you are curious about data and technology.
In your case, a machine learning minor could pair surprisingly well with a psychology major. Modern psychology increasingly uses data analysis, statistics, and computational methods to study human behavior. Knowledge of machine learning may be useful in areas such as cognitive science, mental health technology, etc.
You do not need to be an expert in computer science before starting a machine learning minor. Many students enter these programs with little or no programming experience. Overall, a machine learning minor can be a strong complement to a psychology degree, especially if you are curious about data and technology.
I am very grateful for your advice. It encourages me to continue to explore this pathway in my educational journey. Thank you so much! -Samantha
Samantha
You're most welcome
Wong Loke Yuen
Thank you so much!
Wong Loke Yuen
Ashley Simon-Madden
People Programs Specialist
20
Answers
Updated
Ashley’s Answer
Hi Samantha! It's great that you're thinking carefully about your course choices. College is a perfect time to explore different interests. I chose Psychology as my major and Spanish as my minor, and it was a fantastic decision. Knowing a second language has really helped me in the global job market. My program also offered special job and cultural exchange opportunities that made me stand out in my career. If you're thinking about a minor, pick one that offers more than just classes. Look for programs with internships, study abroad options, or networking opportunities. These experiences can really make a difference and open doors for you.
Hello Ashley, I am extremely grateful for the time you took to answer my question. Your personal experience with Psychology and Spanish is inspiring. I will take this information and advice to heart. Thank you! -Samantha
Samantha
John Woollard
General Manager
60
Answers
Orlando, Florida
Updated
John’s Answer
Hi Samantha, that combination is stronger than you might realize. Psychology plus machine learning is a great intersection where a lot of exciting work is happening, including user research, human-computer interaction, behavioral data science, and AI ethics. People who understand both human behavior and the technical side are rare, and there could be some niche roles that would take full advantage of your skillset.
On the general benefit of a minor, it works best when it does one of two things. Either it makes you more marketable by adding a skill your major does not cover, or it lets you seriously explore something you care about. Yours would do both.
That being said, I would be mindful of your workload. Machine learning coursework is completely different from your psychology major, and is going to require programming on top of a decent amount of math, including calculus, linear algebra, and statistics. Since you said you are not well versed in computer science, I would highly recommend looking at the course chain before committing to anything. Some people simply cannot stand programming, which would make this minor rough.
You should consider taking an intro to programming course, and take a look at the math requirements while you are at it, since calculus and linear algebra are a big part of machine learning. If you enjoy them, then commit to the minor. If you find them miserable, then at least you learned your answer before investing too much time.
Psychology is already a major with a heavy cross section of statistics, so you may have more of the quantitative foundation than you think.
On the general benefit of a minor, it works best when it does one of two things. Either it makes you more marketable by adding a skill your major does not cover, or it lets you seriously explore something you care about. Yours would do both.
That being said, I would be mindful of your workload. Machine learning coursework is completely different from your psychology major, and is going to require programming on top of a decent amount of math, including calculus, linear algebra, and statistics. Since you said you are not well versed in computer science, I would highly recommend looking at the course chain before committing to anything. Some people simply cannot stand programming, which would make this minor rough.
You should consider taking an intro to programming course, and take a look at the math requirements while you are at it, since calculus and linear algebra are a big part of machine learning. If you enjoy them, then commit to the minor. If you find them miserable, then at least you learned your answer before investing too much time.
Psychology is already a major with a heavy cross section of statistics, so you may have more of the quantitative foundation than you think.
Ilan Marouani, Esq., LL.M.
Tax Attorney
27
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Ilan’s Answer
Hello Samantha,
That is a great question!
Professionally, a minor has very little relevance especially if it is in computer science which is already a very competitive field. I have seen some friends being able to transition into a role just because they were able to finess their minor or some experience into the role and show how it was compatible with the role, but that was for a small firm, and some luck.
Computer science unfortunately currently is oversaturated, and a lot of people with a major, even masters cannot find work in that field. A minor will not be that helpful if your goal is to potentially transition into a full time job in Computer Science.
Academically, I would say it is nice to expend your horizon; you never know if you might like the field and end up changing your major completely. I have known many people with 2-3 minors on their degree, but they never ended up using them as their major is all employers really looked at.
Personally, go for it! As I said, expending your options, discovering a new path, maybe a whole new hobby is all college is for. I have known many people dead-set on a major, that took a minor out of interest, and ended up switching their minor to their major and completely changing their professional path.
Depending on what you are trying to accomplish I hope my answer helps!
Good luck!
That is a great question!
Professionally, a minor has very little relevance especially if it is in computer science which is already a very competitive field. I have seen some friends being able to transition into a role just because they were able to finess their minor or some experience into the role and show how it was compatible with the role, but that was for a small firm, and some luck.
Computer science unfortunately currently is oversaturated, and a lot of people with a major, even masters cannot find work in that field. A minor will not be that helpful if your goal is to potentially transition into a full time job in Computer Science.
Academically, I would say it is nice to expend your horizon; you never know if you might like the field and end up changing your major completely. I have known many people with 2-3 minors on their degree, but they never ended up using them as their major is all employers really looked at.
Personally, go for it! As I said, expending your options, discovering a new path, maybe a whole new hobby is all college is for. I have known many people dead-set on a major, that took a minor out of interest, and ended up switching their minor to their major and completely changing their professional path.
Depending on what you are trying to accomplish I hope my answer helps!
Good luck!
Thank you for your in depth response! I am grateful for the time you took to answer my question. I have been pondering the return on investment that minor would add. Your response has definitely given some clarity. -Samantha
Samantha
Shannon Wei
16
Answers
Updated
Shannon’s Answer
Hi Samantha! I think a minor can be very beneficial when it adds a skill set or perspective that supports your main major. It does not mean you have to completely change your career path. Sometimes a minor simply makes you more flexible and gives you another area to connect your degree to. For example, I earned my bachelor’s and master’s in accounting and had a finance minor. Finance did not replace accounting for me, but it helped me understand business from a broader perspective and gave me more flexibility if I ever wanted to pivot into a different area.
For psychology, I actually think a machine learning minor could be a strong combination if you are interested in research, data, user behavior, mental health technology, human resources analytics, UX research, or behavioral science. Psychology helps you understand people, and machine learning/data skills can help you analyze patterns and make insights from information. The American Psychological Association notes that psychology graduates often benefit from pairing their degree with additional practical skills, and technical/data skills can be one way to do that. That said, I would not add the minor blindly if you are not well versed in computer science yet. I would first look at the required classes and prerequisites. If possible, take one beginner programming, statistics, or data science class before fully committing. If you enjoy the challenge and can handle the workload without hurting your major GPA, then the minor could be worth it.
Overall, a minor is most useful when it either supports your career goals, helps you build practical skills, or gives you more options later. Machine learning is also a growing field; for example, data scientist roles are projected to grow much faster than average, so having some data/AI knowledge could be valuable even if you stay primarily in psychology.
For psychology, I actually think a machine learning minor could be a strong combination if you are interested in research, data, user behavior, mental health technology, human resources analytics, UX research, or behavioral science. Psychology helps you understand people, and machine learning/data skills can help you analyze patterns and make insights from information. The American Psychological Association notes that psychology graduates often benefit from pairing their degree with additional practical skills, and technical/data skills can be one way to do that. That said, I would not add the minor blindly if you are not well versed in computer science yet. I would first look at the required classes and prerequisites. If possible, take one beginner programming, statistics, or data science class before fully committing. If you enjoy the challenge and can handle the workload without hurting your major GPA, then the minor could be worth it.
Overall, a minor is most useful when it either supports your career goals, helps you build practical skills, or gives you more options later. Machine learning is also a growing field; for example, data scientist roles are projected to grow much faster than average, so having some data/AI knowledge could be valuable even if you stay primarily in psychology.
Steven G
Sr. Lead AI Solutions Consultant
2
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Steven’s Answer
"I am not well versed in computer science and simply wanted to gain knowledge on the topic." is the part I recommend focusing on.
Computer Science is surprisingly accessible once you start to explore it, and there are many free resources to start studying it. If the structure or community that coursework provides will help you look into a field you want to learn, then absolutely start with a class, and if you don't particularly enjoy the class but want to learn more, you might find that starting a small software project for yourself is a more fulfilling way to explore the domain (it was for me).
The main thing is to not mentally commit yourself to getting a minor before having more firsthand experience. Take a class if you think you might like it, take more classes of it if you do, and see where that experience takes you. Just know that college isn't your last opportunity to pursue the field - I studied theoretical math in school and then worked in education for 20 years before going into machine learning.
Computer Science is surprisingly accessible once you start to explore it, and there are many free resources to start studying it. If the structure or community that coursework provides will help you look into a field you want to learn, then absolutely start with a class, and if you don't particularly enjoy the class but want to learn more, you might find that starting a small software project for yourself is a more fulfilling way to explore the domain (it was for me).
The main thing is to not mentally commit yourself to getting a minor before having more firsthand experience. Take a class if you think you might like it, take more classes of it if you do, and see where that experience takes you. Just know that college isn't your last opportunity to pursue the field - I studied theoretical math in school and then worked in education for 20 years before going into machine learning.
Steven, thank you for your tangible advice. I appreciate your realistic approach to pursuing this field. I want to gain knowledge on machine learning before I jump into it in college. I will do as you suggested and study free resources!
Thank you so much! -Samantha
Samantha
Avinash Ghule
i am AI engineer
126
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Avinash’s Answer
Adding a Machine Learning minor to a Psychology major is an amazing and highly strategic choice!
Here is why it is a great idea and how it benefits you:
It is a Career Superpower: Modern psychology uses a massive amount of data. Combining human psychology with machine learning makes you a perfect fit for high-paying fields like UX (User Experience) Research, Market Behavior, or AI Safety (helping tech companies make AI understand humans better).
It Makes Your Resume Stand Out: Most psychology students graduate with similar skills. Having machine learning on your resume instantly makes you stand out to employers because you can bridge the gap between tech and human behavior.
Don't Worry About Your Lack of Tech Background: Minors are specifically built for beginners! The introductory classes are designed to teach you coding (like Python) from scratch. Professors do not expect you to be a computer scientist on day one.
Next Step: Look up the first class required for the minor. If it is an "Intro to Programming" or "Data Science 101" course, go for it! It will be a fun challenge that gives you a massive edge after graduation.
Here is why it is a great idea and how it benefits you:
It is a Career Superpower: Modern psychology uses a massive amount of data. Combining human psychology with machine learning makes you a perfect fit for high-paying fields like UX (User Experience) Research, Market Behavior, or AI Safety (helping tech companies make AI understand humans better).
It Makes Your Resume Stand Out: Most psychology students graduate with similar skills. Having machine learning on your resume instantly makes you stand out to employers because you can bridge the gap between tech and human behavior.
Don't Worry About Your Lack of Tech Background: Minors are specifically built for beginners! The introductory classes are designed to teach you coding (like Python) from scratch. Professors do not expect you to be a computer scientist on day one.
Next Step: Look up the first class required for the minor. If it is an "Intro to Programming" or "Data Science 101" course, go for it! It will be a fun challenge that gives you a massive edge after graduation.
Thank you for your encouragement! I will definitely research class requirements and keep an open mind. I appreciate your help.
Samantha
Dennis Baker
Lead Architect
3
Answers
Columbia, Tennessee
Updated
Dennis’s Answer
Understanding artificial intelligence for any major will be beneficial. However, machine learning minor might involve a lot of coding in Python. I would just check a curriculum. See if you're comfortable with that.
Thank you for taking the time to answer my question. I will check the curriculum and do some research before moving forward. I appreciate your advice! -Samantha
Samantha
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach, Mentor
1228
Answers
Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Samantha,
A minor is not necessary, but can be nice to add something you are just interested in or passionate about. It can also be somewhat useful if it complements your major. I think machine learning is a good choice because there is hardly a job description these days that doesn't require AI and machine learning. You won't become a computer scientist by adding a minor to your studies but you can at least claim some knowledge and interest in the field. Try to get some hands-on experience like some projects under your belt so you have something to show.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
A minor is not necessary, but can be nice to add something you are just interested in or passionate about. It can also be somewhat useful if it complements your major. I think machine learning is a good choice because there is hardly a job description these days that doesn't require AI and machine learning. You won't become a computer scientist by adding a minor to your studies but you can at least claim some knowledge and interest in the field. Try to get some hands-on experience like some projects under your belt so you have something to show.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
Hello Karin, thank you for your response to my question! I enjoyed hearing your perspective: "focus on something your passionate about". This information gives me a lot to think about. I am going to research and try to get some hands-on experience before commiting to a minor. -Samantha
Samantha
You are very welcome!
Karin P.
David Slayback
Staff Software ENgineer
3
Answers
Austin, Texas
Updated
David’s Answer
In general I'd encourage learning whatever it is you want to learn, I think as AI becomes more prevalent, it reveals how valuable it is to have people who are unabashed generalists who can put together all the pieces of the puzzle even if they can't dive deeply into one. Saying that, I would not generally encourage a minor unless it happens to fit well into the courses you already wanted to take. As a piece of paper, it's arguably not even better than a certificate. Use the minor or major curriculum as a guide for what classes to start with and see where your interests go from there. If the ML minor winds up being in easy reach, then grabbing it is a plus, but I wouldn't trade other things you might want to do for it. I personally switched majors a ton and had almost enough credits for music and english and neuroscience minors, but ultimately I graduated with just the computer science degree and did not regret not having them.
Thank you for taking the time to answer my question and include some personal perspective. I also have a love for music and have been singing since I was young. That is another minor I am interested in pursuing. I appreciate you sharing your personal journey as well. Thank you again ! Samantha
Samantha
Navneet Kashyap
Software Engineer
119
Answers
Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
Updated
Navneet’s Answer
Incorporating a minor into your college degree is one of the best ways to customize your education, but pairing Psychology with Machine Learning (ML) is a uniquely brilliant move.
AI models are fundamentally built to mimic or interact with human intelligence. By combining the study of human behavior (Psychology) with the study of artificial intelligence (Machine Learning), you position yourself at a cutting-edge intersection that employers are actively looking for.
AI models are fundamentally built to mimic or interact with human intelligence. By combining the study of human behavior (Psychology) with the study of artificial intelligence (Machine Learning), you position yourself at a cutting-edge intersection that employers are actively looking for.
Kelly Fry, MBA, PMP
Customer Success Executive - Post Sales Strategic Advisor for Technology Platform
18
Answers
Wenatchee, Washington
Updated
Kelly’s Answer
College is a great time to try new things and learn important skills! Choosing a minor shows you are dedicated and gives you lots of chances to practice and show what you know. Even if it's not the exact area you want to work in, it can still be really valuable and help you become more well-rounded.
Navneet Kashyap
Software Engineer
119
Answers
Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
Updated
Navneet’s Answer
Incorporating a minor into your college degree is one of the best ways to customize your education, but pairing Psychology with Machine Learning (ML) is a uniquely brilliant move.
AI models are fundamentally built to mimic or interact with human intelligence. By combining the study of human behavior (Psychology) with the study of artificial intelligence (Machine Learning), you position yourself at a cutting-edge intersection that employers are actively looking for.Incorporating a minor into your college degree is one of the best ways to customize your education, but pairing Psychology with Machine Learning (ML) is a uniquely brilliant move.
Artificial intelligence and ML models are fundamentally built to mimic, predict, or interact with human intelligence. By combining the study of human behavior (Psychology) with the study of algorithmic learning (Machine Learning), you position yourself at a cutting-edge intersection that employers across the tech, healthcare, and research sectors are actively looking for.
However, because you are not yet well-versed in computer science, there is a major technical reality check you need to consider before declaring it.
AI models are fundamentally built to mimic or interact with human intelligence. By combining the study of human behavior (Psychology) with the study of artificial intelligence (Machine Learning), you position yourself at a cutting-edge intersection that employers are actively looking for.Incorporating a minor into your college degree is one of the best ways to customize your education, but pairing Psychology with Machine Learning (ML) is a uniquely brilliant move.
Artificial intelligence and ML models are fundamentally built to mimic, predict, or interact with human intelligence. By combining the study of human behavior (Psychology) with the study of algorithmic learning (Machine Learning), you position yourself at a cutting-edge intersection that employers across the tech, healthcare, and research sectors are actively looking for.
However, because you are not yet well-versed in computer science, there is a major technical reality check you need to consider before declaring it.
Hello, thank you for your encouragement and candor. This minor in Machine Learning would provide many career advancement opportunities however it is a huge commitment. Perhaps I can do some research and a class outside of college before commiting to this. Thank you again! -Samantha
Samantha
Keerthan K Nair
Software Engineer
32
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Keerthan’s Answer
It is completely normal to feel unsure when looking at a subject entirely outside your wheelhouse! A Psychology major paired with Machine Learning (ML) is actually a brilliant, cutting-edge combination, but your hesitation about not having a computer science background is highly valid.
Kumar Rishav
Engineer
49
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Kumar’s Answer
That's a good choice, to be honest. Besides the benefits and drawbacks mentioned by experts, considering the current market and the buzz around AI, you might get a high-paying job. Since it's a minor, you have the flexibility to choose it or not. It seems like a great option if you're interested in the subject.
Sandeep Khandelwal
Software Engineer
147
Answers
San Ramon, California
Updated
Sandeep’s Answer
Hello Samantha,
A minor can help you broaden your skill set and make your background more unique. In your case, a Machine Learning minor could complement psychology well, especially in areas like behavioral research, data analysis, cognitive science, and AI applications.
You don't need to be an expert in computer science to start. If you're genuinely interested in learning how AI and data are used to understand human behavior, it could be a valuable addition to your degree and open up more career options in the future.
A minor can help you broaden your skill set and make your background more unique. In your case, a Machine Learning minor could complement psychology well, especially in areas like behavioral research, data analysis, cognitive science, and AI applications.
You don't need to be an expert in computer science to start. If you're genuinely interested in learning how AI and data are used to understand human behavior, it could be a valuable addition to your degree and open up more career options in the future.
Hello ! Thank you for your valuable insight on pursuit of this area of my education. I am extremely grateful and will take your feedback under advisement. I love how you mentioned possible career paths like behavioral research. It gives me a lot to think about! Thank you again, Samantha
Samantha
Marlene Pierce
IT Service Desk Manager
4
Answers
Cleveland, Ohio
Updated
Marlene’s Answer
Samantha, a minor can open a door in the future to an interest you have and want to learn more about. My major was in Business Management, and I took a class in transportation that was interesting. It was only a few more classes to minor in Transportation and Logistics. This helped me several years later as I moved around to different leadership roles to work in a Real Estate group.
Another reason I did it was because I was not 100% certain I wanted to be a manager. This gave me an alternative in a male dominated industry to learn a different skill set.
Best of luck to you.
Another reason I did it was because I was not 100% certain I wanted to be a manager. This gave me an alternative in a male dominated industry to learn a different skill set.
Best of luck to you.