Double major... A few questions.

College Majors Engineering Majors
1

<p>I will be most likely attending Penn State University in the summer or fall of '07. I really like science, math, and technology. I also really like business and econ. I don't know what to major in.. I put undeclared-engineering on my application. I cannot seem to narrow this list down any more..</p>

<p>here are my majors to choose from:
- Electrical Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Science
- Management Information Systems
- Economics
- Management
- Mathematics
- Information Sciences and Technology</p>

<p>As for minors, here is my list:
- Physics Minor
- Astronomy and Astrophysics Minor
- Information Sciences and Technology Minor
- Management Information Systems Minor
- Mathematics Minor</p>

<p>I really am considering a double major. For example if I do a double major in CS and EE where many of the courses are taken in both majors, does that mean I will only have to take a few extra courses? and not a lot more? But now how about a double major in EE and Econ? That would probably be alot more, right? What do you recommend I do?</p>

<p>One day, I would like to be an engineering manager perhaps in a field involving technology... or maybe an IT manager... I want to start out as a computer software engineer... maybe a network/database specialist.</p>

<p>As you can tell, I have strong ideas on what I want to do. But not exactly one idea.. which I wish I did.</p>

<p>If I do a double major... does that mean a double minor as well to fill the elective positions?</p>

<p>Please help me out by narrowing some things off of both my majors and minors lists that will not be necessary for the types of jobs that I am going for.</p>

<p>I've been told to go undecided and see what I "like the most". But I want to know what I want to do. I don't want to feel clueless... Also, is it not true that if I go undecided and cannot make up my mind it will be harder for me to get into some courses and stuff like that..</p>

<p>So I'm probably about 75% sure I want to do a double major.. something that will prepare me for a job in a technology-related engineering field or IT field then management and possibly starting a business. Please give me your best suggestions for a (double) major / minor so I can get into something and change later if I have to.</p>

2

<p>My best advice is to NOT double major. Search "double major" and you will see lots of threads where I and others will tell you that it does not make sense in engineering. You will likely get little or no advantage from it. I'd take that extra time it takes to double major and get a master's degree.</p>

3

<p>dr_reynolds,</p>

<p>But what if you plan not to work as an engineer? For example, if I plan to work for an investment banking company, wouldn't it be good to double major or at least minor in economics?</p>

4

<p>A low engineering GPA does not help you get into companies.</p>

5

<p>
[quote]
But what if you plan not to work as an engineer? For example, if I plan to work for an investment banking company, wouldn't it be good to double major or at least minor in economics?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>What we're saying is that it's not really worth the time. Lots of things are 'good'. The question is, what is the optimal use of your time? </p>

<p>I'll put it to you this way. I know people who have gotten double-degrees at MIT in both engineering and either in management at the Sloan School or in economics... and didn't get a single banking offer. Instead, they got beat out by people who got just single degrees (either in engineering, Sloan, or economics). </p>

<p>You have to understand that hiring, especially by banks, is a very fickle process that hinges strongly on your personality and your interview. Employers may say that they care about academics, but what they really care about is how good you present yourself. You can have the greatest academic background in the world, and still not get the job offer that you want. I will always remember one of those MIT double-degree guys ruing his double-degree and saying that instead of doing that, he should have gotten just a single degree and spent his extra time practicing his interview skills and public speaking skills.</p>

6

<p>
[quote]
Employers may say that they care about academics, but what they really care about is how good you present yourself. You can have the greatest academic background in the world, and still not get the job offer that you want.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Yes, I agree with this statement. Employers in many fields will tell you that they don't care if a person has a 3.8 GPA unless the person can also think quick on their feet, dress well, and work in groups to accomplish tasks. A good GPA rarely gets you a job.</p>

7

<p>So what do you recommend me do then? Major in what? How can I get to the position to get a job that I want?</p>

8

<p>My brother goes to PSU, he's a freshman now.</p>

<p>According to him, the best majors to double-major in PSU is Mechanical E and Nuclear Engineering.
Because many courses overlap for both of these majors, so one could easily finish this up in 4 to 5(if your takin co-op or internships) yrs.</p>

<p>so, double majoring in these 2 majors really doesn't take up long time.</p>

9

<p>The general trend on this board is that its better to invest your time in an internship or co-op rather than obtain another major. Also, most advisers have told me that its usually your engineering degree that will get you hired so other degrees might not be worth it.</p>

<p>Yet with that said--if you love the subjects, go ahead and do it. Just keep in mind that the other major should be for your own recreation and that in most cases your engineering degree will suffice.</p>