Four Reasons Why You Should Consider Declaring a Minor

College undergraduates often wonder if declaring a minor will help their future goals and career prospects. Considering how important and challenging pursuing a major can be, it's understandable if you're on the fence about adding a minor or two to your already-full academic schedule. However, declaring a minor can benefit you both now as a student and later in your personal and professional future. Learn more about the following benefits of diversifying your skillset by studying an additional subject.

You'll Learn Helpful Skills

Undergraduates who declare minors frequently choose subjects that may, at first, seem quite unrelated to the topics of their bachelor's degree programs. However, declaring a minor—virtually any minor—can help you develop a new spectrum of knowledge and useful skills that can benefit your career and post-college personal life. For example, adding a foreign language minor to a bachelor's degree in Homeland Security Studies can enable you to communicate with and understand a broader community of people when performing your daily job responsibilities.

You'll Gain a Competitive Edge

Today's job market is highly competitive, and employers are looking for flexible candidates who can bring diverse skills and knowledge to the table. Declaring a minor as an undergraduate can make you uniquely desirable to potential employers, and it will often give you a competitive edge when it comes time to interview for your first big job. Additionally, having a minor or two on your resume can help you show employers that you have broad interests and a desire to learn and grow.

A Minor Can Open New Doors

One surprising but gratifying benefit to declaring a minor is that it gives you the chance to study a subject you're interested in but don't necessarily see yourself using in your professional career. You may even unexpectedly end up falling in love with your minor, and it can enrich and inform your personal life. For instance, a minor in Exercise Science might spark your lifelong interest in fitness and healthy living.

You'll Have a Backup Plan

It's common for professionals at all levels and across industries to switch gears and pursue a different career path. Declaring a minor can give you a diverse range of skills, knowledge, and experiences that will be quite useful should you ever decide to change your professional goals and pursue a new career. For example, what was once just a minor in General Legal Studies could one day be the backbone of your new interest in law school.

In addition to our bachelor's and master's degree programs, the Tulane School of Professional Advancement offers minors in a number of subjects, including advertising, marketing, and public relations. Learn more by viewing our complete list of minors.