Ok my first major is Psychology and my second major will be either Anthropology or International Studies (East Asia focus), but I’m having trouble deciding between the two. I’m currently pre-med intending to become a Psychiatrist, but my real passion is traveling abroad and doing humanitarian work. I’m planning on working abroad for a couple years before med school (teaching English in Japan) but if I happen to find a job with an NGO/NPO while I’m abroad, I might not even go to med school we’ll see.
Now that you have context my question is, which of these two majors looks better on a resume? If I end up looking for jobs with NGO/NPO’s or if I decide to look for international relations jobs with businesses or the government, what would look best? (I’ll have other qualifications as well such as speaking Japanese and Mandarin, etc). If you were hiring me, which of these two majors would seem better on a resume?
Have you actually started college, or is this advance planning?
I would say this more gently to avoid getting yelled at, but I’m not feeling like it right now, so here we go: one of the things that students don’t realize about potential employers is just how little they care about minors- specially when it’s between humanities subjects. They won’t even think less of you if you don’t have a minor. Employers- including NGO’s- will be vastly more interested in the work you have done- internships, jobs, field placements, etc.
The gift of the liberal arts approach to college is that you can take courses that speak to you. Following your (actual) interests will pay off more than trying to puff up your resume with things just for show.
bro…I’m asking about MAJORS! I know that minors don’t mean anything aside from personal gain but it’s my understanding that majors mean a little bit more hence my question…thanks for your input though!
You shouldn’t be selecting a major on the basis of “what looks better on a resume.” Which one do you want to study? That’s the important question.
You can get jobs in government, IR, or NGOs with both. International studies may prepare you better because it’s an interdisciplinary field that will cover many things relevant to your interests, whereas anthropology is a much broader discipline.
Frankly, if I were hiring you the difference between an international studies or an anthropology major wouldn’t be the deciding factor. It’d be about skills and about internships. Knowing that you speak Japanese and Mandarin, seeing a year of study abroad on your resume, maybe seeing two summer internships focused on NGOs - that would be the kind of experience that would catch my eye.
sorry, @rinarina- misread it. But @juillet (a psych person) is right:
And if it applies for minors it applies for majors: follow your actual interests. If you haven’t started college yet, take some classes in all of these before declaring and see what actually suits you!