Living the College Life: Choosing a Major - Does a Minor/Concentration Really Matter?

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Let's say you run a firm that specializes in environmental studies, and a recent college graduate walks in the door, seeking a job.

You'd likely ask her about her qualifications for the job, her ­interest in the field, and why she thinks she'd fit in well with the firm.

Would you ask her about her ability to dance? Probably not.

Does that mean Selena Moshell, an environmental studies major, made the wrong choice when she decided to minor in dance at Rollins College? Not at all. The major matters most. Although she says she's passionate about her major, before she goes to graduate school for further study she wants to work in the dance field.

"Even though my major and minor don't exactly go hand in hand, they allow me to fully explore my potential," says Selena. "The dance minor has been perfect for me to keep my technique up, to strengthen my performance skills, and to work with amazing guest choreographers."

It also shows that she's multidimensional.

A minor usually entails taking about five or six classes in a given field, about half of what's needed to major in a subject area. Rarely is a minor a factor in a student's success in college, or in landing a job. But"like a minor character in a movie"it can play a big part in the outcome of things.

Jennifer George (Wake Forest University) majored in computer science with a minor in journalism. But a funny thing happened along the way: "It may turn out that the subject you choose as a minor is something that you like a lot more than your major," she says. Jennifer is now exploring graduate school options in journalism.

For some students, like Selena Moshell, a minor provides a chance to show a completely different side of themselves"one not normally associated with their intended career path. A minor can be something students select based almost solely on the personal fulfillment it provides. That's not to say it's not important"it's just that prospective employers will probably view it as little more than a strength that may not necessarily be related to the position at hand.

Meredith Schweitzer (Vanderbilt University), for example, chose to minor in music because it's a field she loves. And with a dual major in elementary education and English, she'll already have plenty of academic credentials when she seeks employment. "I've been taking various music classes throughout college"classes such as Beethoven and the Beatles'"and they have almost always been my favorite classes each semester," says Meredith, who's also secretary of the Vanderbilt University Concert Choir. "It's very helpful to find an area that really interests you, or classes that you truly look forward to going to."

Similarly, Bryant Jones says he always wanted to learn more about Chinese culture, history, and language, so he chose to minor in Asian studies. "I don't see that a major in Asian studies will take me very far professionally, but a minor allows me to pursue my ­passion to learn about the Middle Kingdom of China and learn its language."