Double-Major, Double-Minor..Worthwhile?

<p>My name is Christy, and I am a college sophomore at Saginaw Valley in Michigan and will be transferring to Michigan State next year. I love school and learning and would be happy here forever minus the fact that it costs an arm and a leg of my own hard-earned money. Anyhow, I am a psychology/philosophy double major with a double minor in religious studies and Arabic. I would like to work as a university counselor, university professor, or a counselor of some type, which means I will be obtaining my PhD in Counseling Psych once I graduate. I would love to work in metro-Detroit, hence the Arabic minor. I added the philosophy major, because philosophy is my true love..even over psychology. I just couldn't stop taking phil classes after my first. Okay...so the question is: Is it silly to double-major, double-minor? I love all of the classes I'm taking, and I feel philosophy, religious studies, and arabic will all be beneficial to a psychology career in academia. Any opinions?</p>

<p>From a purely functional standpoint, it is a total waste of time, effort, and money.</p>

<p>From a human aspect, you are doing exactly what you should be doing. One of the purposes of college is to develop academically and to explore a variety of subjects. You are most certainly doing that as an undergrad. When you graduate you will be far more well rounded than most of your peers.</p>

<p>When you go to grad school just make sure you focus on one area and don’t turn that Masters and PhD program into a 30 year career.</p>

<p>Since you love learning so much, I wonder if maybe you should explore teaching. They kinda go hand in hand you know.</p>

<p>My plan for grad school is a counseling psych program, which should take 5-7 years. I would just like to explore subjects as an undergrad before I specialize. I have thought about teaching, but I would only do so at the university-level. Even if I choose to go into private practice, I would certainly be interested in being an adjunct professor. Thanks for your input!</p>

<p>You will eventually have to narrow down your academic interests to complete your degree.
However, your other intellectual interests can be hobbies and pursued outside your eventual career path.</p>

<p>I actually have my entire undergraduate degree already planned out, even down to which semesters I can take which classes. It should take me 5 years to get my degree. Sadly, this is my narrowed down list. I’ve already weeded out astrophysics, Greek, optometry, and classical languages and literature from my list of academic hobbies.</p>

<p>@Batllo:</p>

<p>What language is this?</p>

<p>I hate to be the pessimist but you are wasting your time piling on unnecessary courses. You need to sit down and narrow your interests down to one or two which will be your double major. I don’t know how your school operates but cut out the double minors if you can. Also, psychology and philosophy aren’t very marketable when combined. They are more “thinking training” course than job training courses. You can look for something in the Education department like the guy above me said to combine with either the psychology or philosophy. You seem to have a good plan though.</p>

<p>@cekinney: Catalan, the language of Spain’s East Coast, the Islands in the Western Mediterranean, Southern France and Andorra. The user name Batllo is a Catalan name.</p>