2 answers
Antoine
Student
Southaven, Mississippi
2
Questions
Asked
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Is there a benefit in majoring in one field and minoring in another?
If i major in engineering, and minor in pharmacy, would that allow me to have a backup if engineering does not go well? #college
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2 answers
Angelica Rossana Tolentino
Global Mobility Services at PwC
15
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Angelica Rossana’s Answer
Hi Antoine,
I have a double-major in Business Administration-Accounting and Computer Information-Systems and a minor in Economics. My current job is more related to Accounting than it is to Computer Information Systems or Economics. However, I'd like to think that in case I want to move to a field more relevant to Computer Information Systems, at least I would have the right education background. However, I am also aware that I may need to "start over or start at the bottom" again should I switch careers since, generally, once you are an "experienced" worker, your work experience becomes more considered by employers than how you did in school.
With that said, having a minor/double major allows you to have the right education background for potential jobs in the field. However, there are actually a lot of people who are working in jobs completely irrelevant to their majors/minors in college. If you really want a specific position/job, you may get relevant experience and that could help you when you apply regardless of whether or not you have the relevant education background for that.
It is up to you how you want to approach your Plan B in case your 1st choice of career does not work out:
- Do you want to have the relevant formal education in your back pocket? Or
- Do you want to just get as much relevant experience in order to switch careers?
Good luck!
Best regards,
Angelica
I have a double-major in Business Administration-Accounting and Computer Information-Systems and a minor in Economics. My current job is more related to Accounting than it is to Computer Information Systems or Economics. However, I'd like to think that in case I want to move to a field more relevant to Computer Information Systems, at least I would have the right education background. However, I am also aware that I may need to "start over or start at the bottom" again should I switch careers since, generally, once you are an "experienced" worker, your work experience becomes more considered by employers than how you did in school.
With that said, having a minor/double major allows you to have the right education background for potential jobs in the field. However, there are actually a lot of people who are working in jobs completely irrelevant to their majors/minors in college. If you really want a specific position/job, you may get relevant experience and that could help you when you apply regardless of whether or not you have the relevant education background for that.
It is up to you how you want to approach your Plan B in case your 1st choice of career does not work out:
- Do you want to have the relevant formal education in your back pocket? Or
- Do you want to just get as much relevant experience in order to switch careers?
Good luck!
Best regards,
Angelica
Daniel Brennan
66
Answers
Updated
Daniel’s Answer
Yes for sure, especially in business. Being well rounded is one of the keys to success at any level in life. In terms of college, they look for students who not only had good grades, but also had leadership roles, were involved in activities etc etc. It isn't all about grades. Similarly, in business or the career path you chose, if you have a focus in one area, but skills in another area, such as accounting and finance, management and marketing, and so on, it can help differentiate you from your peers, and also open up niche markets that need both skills to succeed. Even if you never use the other degree, it can certainly help you later in life.