658 shares SHARE TWEET SMS SEND EMAIL If the most challenging decision that a college student makes during his or her undergraduate career is what to major in, then the second most challenging decision may be what to minor in. Some students choose to minor in a subject that is complementary to their major, such as a minor in Spanish with a major in international studies. Other students select a minor that counterbalances their major, like a minor in music and a major in biology. A minor, which requires roughly half the number of credits as a major, can help you maximize your college education without overwhelming yourself. RELATED: But over time, students may come to find that they are just as – if not more – passionate about their minor as they are their major. For such students, turning a minor into a second major can be a great way to gain a more in-depth understanding of their minor’s subject matter. Because a given minor typically covers the most foundational subject matterrequired by its corresponding major, it is often fairly simple to switch from minoring to majoring within a specific concentration. But, along with additional classes, a second major necessitates a greater amount of studying and effort. Have you been thinking about making the switch? If so, ask yourself the following questions to decide whether turning a minor into a second major is right for you. Is a second major necessary for my career? The additional knowledge that students can gain from majoring in two subject areas – as opposed to majoring in one and minoring in another – can sometimes provide individuals with a competitive career advantage. Employers in certain fields may require that job candidates possess strong skills across a variety of specialties, in which case a second major may make sense. However, if turning your minor into a second major negatively impacts your grades, pursuing two majors can hurt your employment chances. Before you act, be sure to research thecareer area that you are interested in, and review the education qualifications for jobs in that field. If you believe that a second major may be too stressful or may not be absolutely necessary to your future career success, consider opting for your current major and minor. After all, a minor can also impress employers, especially if it is accompanied by high grades. Would I benefit from any other academic arrangements? Before switching your minor to a second major, try to determine if there are any other academic arrangements that would be more beneficial to your future career and current studies. Students who are interested in multiple subjects, for instance, may excel with an interdisciplinary major. Take this situation – a geology major with a minor in marine science who is interested in all aspects of the environment might do well with an environmental studies major. This scenario is most beneficial to those students whose current majors and minors fulfill the basic requirementsof a new major. It is also important to consider that, outside of relevant educational experience, employers may seek job candidates with practical career experience. In some instances, it makes more sense to keep your current major and minor, and to instead spend the time that you would allot to a second major on a job or internship relevant to your anticipated career field. Do I have time for a second major? If you do not have the time that a second major requires, do not to turn your minor into a second major. The additional classes, homework and projects, and studying can easily strain a busy college student’s schedule, and too much stress can lead to poor grades and overall academic dissatisfaction. Even if your grades do not suffer, a second major may lengthen your stay in college (and thus increase your costs). If time and money are a concern, adding a second major may not be right for you. Erica Cirino is a contributing writer for , the leading curated marketplace for thetop private tutors in the U.S. The company also builds mobile learning apps, online tutoring environments, and other tutoring and test prep-focused technologies . , , , , 658 shares SHARE TWEET SMS SEND EMAIL Related Stories Comments