Most college students secure their future by focusing on one fieldof interest, but as the search for a job after graduation becomesmore competitive, some San Diego State students are broadening theirstudies by pursuing two majors.
Dean Forrey, academic advisor for the Office of Advising andEvaluations, said he does not see a large number of students who arecurrently double-majoring.
This might be because of the great amount of time involved in adouble-major and the fact that it is not always beneficial, Forreysaid.
“It varies from student to student,” he said. “Each has their ownideas of what they want to do with their life, so consequently, whenwe are dealing with students who are thinking about a double-major,they usually have some specific goal in mind. They think the majorswill benefit them.”
Judith Gumbiner, director of Career Services, said students whodouble major usually express interest in more than one area of study,plus they are trying to take advantage of the job market. She said itis beneficial to pursue more than one major.
“If you were to major in a foreign language and business, andwanted to be in charge of a business or work in a country that spokethat language, obviously, both of those majors would be helpful,” shesaid.
According to Gumbiner, if a student has two majors and has no ideawhat he or she wants to do, and is not looking to apply those twomajors in the future, it will not act as an advantage or adisadvantage.
An employer would be interested to ask a student why he or shepursued two majors, she said. Answers such as “putting offgraduation” or “just enjoying going to school” are not the answers anemployer is looking for, she said.
It partly depends on a student’s own personal motivation, Gumbinersaid.
Senior Aaron Pratts, double-majoring in communication andinternational security and conflict resolution, said he is pursuingtwo majors because he feels it will benefit him in getting a job in aspecific field.
“Communication is very broad so I can pretty much apply it to anyjob,” he said. “I can use the skills I acquire in internationalsecurity and the skills I get from communication both at the sametime. I think it will be helpful.”
A double-major may be similar to having a minor when it comes toapplying for a specific position, Forrey said.
“When competing with someone with the same exact degree, andeverything is the same, having a second major might be of use ingetting the job,” he said.
Another issue that comes up when a student takes on two majors isthe extra work involved in completing them.
Because of the time involved, having a double-major takes studentsaway from getting involved in other extracurricular activities,Forrey said.
For Pratts, finding time for other interests around campus is farfrom difficult.
“I am currently taking 19 units,” Pratts said, “but I am veryinvolved around campus too. Having two majors doesn’t distract me. Imanage my time really well so I can do everything I want.”
