<p>I am finishing up my sophomore year and will definitely have time to get a second minor. I am currently going for a BA in art with a graphic design concentration and a minor in mass communication. I thought about looking into a second major, but most would be so unrelated/ I wouldn't be able to graduate on time. I am debating between making that second minor computer science or business administration. I feel like both would be kind of helpful in different ways, so any advice would be very helpful. I know this isn't really related to the visual arts sub-forum technically, but I had no luck in the business or "other majors" forums (Whereas this section has pleasant/helpful regulars). If anyone has any thoughts or suggestions on a more fitting minor I would be glad to hear it. (I am not really sure if employers really look at minors anyway to information is certinly welcomed) </p>
<p>I would say business administration. For me, most of the techniques related to computer can be learned completely by myself. Business administration involves people and social thing, which is something you can’t study just by yourself.</p>
<p>That is what I am leaning towards right now. The main reason computer science is on there is because of the website making factor, although you can find out how to make those online, or go through a different site. But I like a lot of different stuff so it has been quite hard to choose. Haha</p>
<p>Ok…a lot of this depends on your interests but also what you want to do with your art and art degree. </p>
<p>Here is the perspective from someone who majored in latin american history with a certificate in marxist studies (much less marketable in 1985 and reagan administration than an art degree now)…obviously unemployable…so I get a masters in the same area more or less…at that point I was definitely unemployable…so I get a PhD in economics. A PhD is like a union card for economsits so I now am eligible for many jobs in academia, business and government. BUT, the skills that have been hands down the most useful for getting a good job are …my programming skills, my writing skills (ignore my messages and believe me that I write a mean academic paper) and my excellent typing skills learned on a manual typewriter(which supports the first two skills). I have had to learn over 7 programs commonly used by economist and statisticians. If you ask an editor my age…ask them how many software programs they have learned? graphic artists…how many software programs? shoot…even a policeman has to learn to use software. Having a programming basis has made learning programs and software applications much, much easier and I will force my daughter (who looks to be a lawyer) to take one programming course no matter what so that she has these essential skills. </p>
<p>My son is doing a BFA at CMU and trying to minor in robotics. This makes sense since he wants to concentrate in sculpture, and robotics is a logical extension if he plans on kinetic sculptures/special effects/ etc career. However he also does a lot, lot of animation and has found the python class he is taking very helpful. Obviously, Alice is in his future since he is at CMU.</p>
<p>His choice of minor makes sense given his interests and aptitudes. If he told me he was doing a business minor I would tell him to come home and waste his money at a local university. No way would I want to pay for business courses, particularly for him. My apologies to any business majors out there (not MBAs)…but I think business major/minor undergrad provides few transferable skills (a bit like the marxist studies, frankly). You have to take intro econ, stats, accounting, and some other classes and those courses provide you with zero useful skills–the accounting and stats are too simple at this level to be used on the job and econ (take it from me) at an undergraduate level may be interesting/fulfilling but about as useful as courses on Chaucer. Your fulfillment comes with the BFA…the minor should be geared to maximize applying those art skills and/or providing a backup so you don’t starve. Pick a minor that can do both of these things. Business will not help you run your art business any better unless you take courses on self-employment tax law.</p>
<p>What computer skills would you get with a minor? Look at what your school teaches in the intro and intermediate level. Could you learn software with the minor that would be helpful for an artist? Alice? C++? Blender? My son uses the latter but is self taught but has found it extremely helpful for his animation. His school starts with Python and his final project in his intro comp science class is an animation project.</p>
<p>Having a basic understanding of programming seems to be an excellent skill to have for all students today…a minor will give you enough knowledge to easily learn new programs or use art software. </p>
<p>OK…I am just waiting to be skewered by the business majors…</p>
<p>Why do you want 2 minors? How about converting your Mass Communications minor into another major? Why not dual major in both Art and Mass Communications? Maybe throw in an entry CS class to make Fineartsmajormom happy. (Good advice by the way.)</p>
<p>Thanks folks!
fineartsmajormom, I appreciate that post and the examples. Those were good points as computer science is more related to art than business. (And I wouldn’t have to take accounting which would be a big bonus! =] )</p>
<p>Wheaty, I thought about that, but I would probably have to stay an extra semester since the Mass Comm major has more than average credit requirements.</p>
<p>Unfortunately my university is changing curriculums a lot right now. I was planning on double majoring before with a BA in art and then a second in “Design Technology” which has many overlapping classes. I won’t know if I can double major in that until the new curriculum comes out but hopefully it will work out since I already started it.</p>
<p>I suggested business based on the business classes taught at MCAD, which is the business of art. I agree a generic business probably won’t help much.</p>
<p>Oh, that is good to know. I would like that kind of class if it were offered. Although there might be something similar within the art department.</p>
<p>I have to agree with fammom on going for the tech classes - and I was a business major - but never an art major. A business minor makes sense if it is tied to an overall curriculum like redbug mentioned at MCAD. I am familiar with their program and think it is a smart addition. A business major makes sense if you plan to do accounting, finance, sales, marketing, operations right out of college. But the best option IMO is a good solid liberal arts “teach you how to think” bachelors followed by MBA if you are inclined to follow the business route. Some of the most successful people I know went into business with history, psychology, biology or asian cultures degrees.</p>
<p>And you might get a feel from the placement office…is there really value in minors? Are they marketable? It sounds too light to be worth peddling as an area of expertise. But what do I know?</p>
<p>I do enjoy some business things (mostly marketing and non-profit) and have considered getting a major in it. But I think I would only be doing that for job security which would be pretty unpleasant in the long run. Being an art major has made for a very enjoyable college experience thus far since I actually like going to school.</p>
<p>And I would like to see how minors are viewed by employers. I have heard mixed things on that since people tend to recommend double majoring.</p>
<p>Doing well in undergrad is key to getting into grad school - if or when you do. Enjoying what you are doing and being happy is wonderful. How many people would envy you? Good luck with your decision!</p>
<p>Here are the course requirements for both for those who were curious.</p>
<h2>Business Administration Minor Courses</h2>
<p>Principles of Accounting I
Principles of Accounting II
Business Statistics I
Management
Marketing
Computer Business Applications
Management Information Systems
Financial Management
Markets and Resource Allocation
or Macro Economics and the Business Cycle </p>
<h2>Computer Science Minor Courses</h2>
<p>Problem Solving and Computer Science
Introduction to Web Programming
Advanced Web Programming
Multimedia Processes I
Computer Science I
Computer Science II</p>
<p>EDIT: mom4art, thanks, and thanks for the help. Considering how unhappy some people seem to be when they only pursue a great salary, I think they would be pretty envious. =]</p>
<p>Very interesting how curricula vary so much. I never thought of web programming as part of a computer science degree…What is in computer science 1? programming? in what language? And marketing can be so different depending what “market” the curriculum is directed toward?–national level, consumer items? International–wholesale in a very small niche? art for local consumers? or is it using art in advertising rather than advertising art? sort of like the “computer science” courses–is it learning to use particular software applications or learning to make software applications? It seems that few people are going to look at a degree title but rely more on the list of skills and knowledge on a resume. I know that I don’t care what someone’s degree is in…when we hire we look exclusively at experience and then under programming language skills, research publications, etc. Even for undergrads looking for internships–we look at the courses they have taken, any jobs they have had, and any practical computer skills. We definitely prefer an English major with a comp sci class and 3 years part time at walmart than a finance major who has never done a 9-5 grunt job and has never tried to write a program.</p>
<p>Thanks for those links redbug, those are very different. I would like many of those courses.</p>
<p>& finearts, that is good to know. I am glad some people look into someones degree and course selection like that. </p>
<p>Computer Science I course description: “Introduction to the basic principles of software development using a modern high-level language, including using selection, looping, function calls, and recursion, along with simple data structures such as arrays and objects, to solve problems. Includes an introduction to software engineering techniques such as interactive debugging, software testing, and methods of software validation.”</p>
<p>Management course description: “An introductory course emphasizing the principal functional areas of management: planning, organizing, staffing, directing, and controlling.”</p>
<p>Skyline - My editorial comments below. I am sure someone will disagree. Maybe pick and choose classes? Again, I don’t see the marketability of the minor - especially one as broad as business</p>
<h2>Business Administration Minor Courses</h2>
<p>Principles of Accounting I - “Do it this way, follow standard operating procedures”
Principles of Accounting II “Do it this way II”
Business Statistics I - Do you like math?<br>
Management - Waste of time. If you have common sense, you can manage.
Marketing - You’d probably like.<br>
Computer Business Applications - Broad topic, but sounds like your area of interest
Management Information Systems - Again sounds like your area of interest
Financial Management - Good to know, but if you graduated without it, not a big deal
Markets and Resource Allocation -Economics is good to know
or Macro Economics and the Business Cycle</p>
<p>Thanks for your thoughts on those, seeing them all listed together makes me realize how I am only interested in about half of those classes.
Whether a minor is all that marketable or not, I do like that Computer Science would contribute to my major, since they are more closely related.</p>
(Good advice by the way.)</p>