Not Quite Satisfied with your Major? Add one of these Minors!

By Lizzy Rice

As students, we sometimes agonize over what we want our major to be. Do you ever think things like, “well I like history, but can I actually get a job with that degree?” Well don’t worry; you’re not alone. We all question what we are studying at some point in our academic careers but one of the most foolproof ways to maintain a balanced degree (and by balanced I mean studying something that interests you but still learning marketable skills) is to add a minor. Here are just a few good ideas that Arizona State University offers that are bound to add some depth to any major.

Business: This is probably the mother of all minors. A minor in business gives you a great base for any given career path. As a business minor, you will take courses in economics, accounting, management and other skills that can easily be transferred from one industry to another.

Communication: Some people may disagree with this selection, but I think a communication minor can add a lot to a degree. As any book, teacher, or professional will tell you, the number one highly sought after skill for potential new employees is strong communication skills. Therefore, I say, add this as a minor and you have a seriously marketable skill listed directly on your resume.

English: You know in a group project how someone always has to be the writer? Well the work world is no different and most people cringe at the thought of writing a report or composing a memo. Do you enjoy writing? Then why not add English as a minor, so that your employer can breathe a sigh of relief at potentially hiring somebody who isn’t afraid to write.

Psychology: The ability to understand different types of people is an invaluable skill for any potential employee. Adding a minor to your degree like psychology gives you this added value plus it also is a great way to discuss in a cover letter how being a psychology minor helps you relate to clients and/or customers; always a definite plus.

Spanish: If you plan to continue living in Arizona, you might want to think seriously about minoring and becoming fluent in Spanish. To list this minor on a resume automatically gives you a leg up in any industry. So if you love Spanish or foreign languages in general, you should consider making this your minor.

Agree or Disagree? Leave me a comment