Every stage of the college search — from your first look at colleges to the big, final decision on where to go to school — the question “what’s your major?” is sure to come up. And, whether you know exactly what you want to major in or if you’re still exploring your options, you probably haven’t thought about a minor. Some majors require you to choose a related minor, and some give you the option to minor in anything you want (or not choose a minor at all). So why consider a minor? Should you get one related to your major or not? Don’t worry, we’ve got the tea on academic minors in college.
#1. A minor can complement your major and add depth to your studies.
Many minors at CSU are designed to complement your major and add depth to what you’re studying. For example, students majoring in biology can opt to select a minor in molecular biology. Or if they’re interested in outdoor careers or research, they might opt for a minor in conservation biology. CSU’s minors (and concentrations and certification programs) allow you to design a personalized degree to best fit your goals and passions.
#2. A minor allows you to explore interests outside your main area of focus.
In contrast, you can choose a minor unrelated to your major to pursue another interest. While choosing a major will steer your college experience and future career, that doesn’t mean you’re committing to one discipline and nothing else. There’s plenty of time to major in watershed science and minor in creative writing! Your love of poetry doesn’t have to be sacrificed for your passion for conservation.
#3. You can give yourself a unique edge in your career search.
Having both a broad academic background along with specialized skills can give you a leg up when applying for jobs. Your major can give you the foundational skills and knowledge you need to perform well in a job, but your minor can be an additional selling point. For example, a journalism and media communication major has a wide variety of job prospects, from news anchor to content marketer to social media specialist. But imagine pairing that with a minor in Spanish? Being able to sell yourself as a bilingual journalist can open doors to careers (international reporter, anyone?) you may might not have even dreamed of.
#4. You can make connections outside your core areas of study.
After you’ve completed your AUCCs (required university courses) at CSU, you will spend most of your time on your major, and you’ll run into fellow majors, faculty, and staff over and over again. Having those connections will serve you well; from professor recommendations to peer study groups, your connections are invaluable. But minoring in another academic area can foster those same connections elsewhere, too. As an mechanical engineering major, you might choose a minor in music to de-stress and express your creativity. You could very well meet a music professor who wants to hook you up with an internship that combines your musical abilities and your knowledge of mechanics. The more people you can network with in college, the better!
