Would a minor in communications and business administration benefit a Computer Science major?
I am computer science freshman coming into college with 26 credits. One of my computer science professors told me that I should minor in something unrelated to computer science that would give me skills and qualities to set me apart from other comp sci majors. I want to do that and I here to see if anyone else agrees or disagrees in what she said. In addition, are their any other minors that would help me?
PS: My professor also said that minoring in Math would be pointless since computer science students get some much of it.
The second largest qualification (after computer-related ability) I see mentioned in descriptions for computer science jobs is good ability to work constructively with others. So it might make the best sense to select specific courses that aid that competency, such as a psychology course or two, sociology and an interpersonal communications course. Business courses are valuable, too, as you are likely to face the issues of businesses in your career.
When one chooses a minor, one is essentially delegating the selection of “side” courses to someone who may or may not know as well as you will - if you research it - what will best serve you in your career. You can almost as easily say in resumes that you have x number of academic units in something as say you have a minor in something. Minors seem only to be seriously thought about in academia.
Different employers look for different things in a new graduate, so I don’t necessarily buy your professor’s view that a minor in communications and business admin is better than a math minor.
Most employers don’t pay attention to minors. More often then not, they like to see a lot of rigorous coursework, though.
I’d do the communications and business admin minor if that’s what interests you, but I wouldn’t do it with the idea that it will give you a leg up when looking for a programming job.