<p>Subsequent to graduation from my undergraduate program, I would like to directly secure a position as a bioinformatics specialist. In addition, I aspire to eventually matriculate to a biomedical engineering PhD program. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign provides the most detailed admission criteria for prospective students (biomedical engineering PhD program). It can be found here (bottom portion of the page): </p>
<p>Academic</a> Preparation for Graduate School in Bioengineering | Bioengineering Department</p>
<p>I have either alternate A or B. I can double major in biochemistry/molecular biology with computer science as my second field of study. Or, I can major in computer science with minor concentrations in engineering, mathematics and biology. Both alternatives could take five years for completion.</p>
<p>Are you in college yet?</p>
<p>Yes, I am currently a college student…</p>
<p>Can anyone shed light on minor concentrations? Are they really all that insignificant as they are made out to be? Will a prospective employer be more inclined to hire me if I have a double degree/major, or would they be just as satisfied if I have minor concentrations in fields that overlap?</p>
<p>It’s really difficult to speak for employers. A friend of mine majored in biomedical engineering, found a job in that field and worked for 2 years. Now he is working as a petroleum engineer.</p>
<p>Another friend was a Mechanical Engineer, no minor or double major and he works as an electrical engineer. </p>
<p>A third friend was a mechanical engineer and works in that field because that is where his employer finds him most qualified.</p>
<p>In short, some employers might care about your minor, most probably won’t. Regardless, they will care more about what you can actually do versus what a piece of paper says you will. </p>
<p>A double degree/major is more impressive and will give you more hands on experience in both fields than a minor would, but honestly, the job market does not seem as tough for engineers as for other fields, so I would suggest that you choose your major/minor situation based on what you are passionate about. </p>
<p>It sounds like you don’t want to double major-- so don’t. Use the time to get an internship and some experience-- it’ll help you more in the long run.</p>