The Benefits of Declaring a College Minor

By Kaitlin Hurtado on October 2, 2019

So you’ve declared your major and are working at completing your degree one class at a time. Is there something else you could or should be doing to make the most out of your education? There very well might be. Declaring a minor can be a great step in your college education.

Some majors will require you to add a minor or specialization, so you may already be considering your options. However, that does not mean that you should just toss out the option if it is not a requirement for your major. Declaring a minor can gift you plenty of benefits if you choose to do it, and if you need some convincing on why declaring a minor is a great idea, read on:

Photo: Unsplash.com

Pursue a Passion 

In an ideal world, everyone is passionate about their major. Unfortunately, not everyone gets that luxury. There could be several reasons behind one not being able to pursue their passion when going to college. It could be because of money problems, or parental pressures. Whatever the case, you still have the opportunity to pursue your passions when declaring a minor.

The great thing about minors is that they can be completely unrelated to your major. For example, you could be pursuing a STEM-related or business major, but pursue a minor in the Arts. Or vice versa.

Declaring a minor allows you to pursue your passions in college, with a minimized risk. Also, you never know what lies ahead in your future. Adding a minor you are extremely passionate about may prove fruitful in the future when you can use it to further your career.

Start out on a double major or a foundation for your future educational endeavors 

You can also think of declaring a minor as a way to test out another degree. A minor is exactly what it sounds like, the same field as its major just with limited coursework. You certainly do not need to commit to double majoring, but if you find that you do really like your minor and can afford to do so, you can end up declaring it as your double major instead. Many, if not all, of the classes required for a minor are a part of the requirements for the major. If you find that you want to go further with your minor, you have already put in the work for another major.

Declaring a minor can also help you learn more about another subject without the extra effort of a major. You can also go on to pursue the subject in your higher education. If you have already had the opportunity to figure out if you like the subject and want to learn more, it can be the perfect base for furthering your education later on.

Increase your chances of employment

Of course, the main thing employers will look for when looking at your education is your major. However, seeing your minor(s) will show how well-rounded you are and certify your knowledge about a specific subject.

Majors can be fairly broad, and declaring a minor can help employers narrow down your level of expertise. Even if it is not required for your major, declaring a minor will give you an extra edge and knowledge needed for a job.

Not only does it show how far you went in your education, but it will reflect your character. Declaring a minor shows that you took initiative to go past what was required of you as a college student and that you are willing to do the same for your career.

Declaring a minor can put you ahead of other candidates when competing for a job position – something that is vital when you are trying to get your foot in the door after you graduate from college.

As stated before, your minor doesn’t have to do anything with your major, but it could be related to your major. Let’s say you are interested in medical writing. You can major in English and get a minor in a science-related field, or major in something like Biology and add a minor in writing. If you have a specific career in mind, declaring a minor can help you get a few steps ahead in your career.

Learn more (without paying extra)

It is no secret that college educations can cost crazy amounts. You are already paying for an education, so why not just take advantage of what you are already paying for? It doesn’t cost extra for you to declare a minor unless doing so forces you to take extra semesters and pay more in tuition.

If adding a minor just means taking an extra class every semester, why not do it? The coursework may seem like a lot at a glance, but when you break it down. The investment is far worth the extra time and effort.

Follow Uloop

Apply to Write for Uloop News

Join the Uloop News Team

Discuss This Article

Back to Top

Log In

Contact Us

Upload An Image

Please select an image to upload
Note: must be in .png, .gif or .jpg format
OR
Provide URL where image can be downloaded
Note: must be in .png, .gif or .jpg format

By clicking this button,
you agree to the terms of use

By clicking "Create Alert" I agree to the Uloop Terms of Use.

Image not available.

Add a Photo

Please select a photo to upload
Note: must be in .png, .gif or .jpg format