<p>Hello all! Just wondering if doing a double major in math and international relations would be worth it... I've always loved learning about different cultures and experiencing them, I don't like learning languages, although I LOVE to use them in real life. I plan to take at least two languages in college (spanish continuing from high school and one, if not two new languages) I've also always been very good at math! It kind of come naturally for me and my teacher last year was amazing so I've really been thinking about Math as well... Ideally, my job would combine the two (plus language) but I'm not sure if there's anything like that (unless it's international economics/business, but I would really like to do government and not private business work in the future.) So maybe I should just be an International Economics major? I don't really know if that's the same thing as a Double Major with international Relations and Math... so basically opinions? Any help on the differences between choices and whatnot would be extremely helpful. Or is there something else that would be more beneficial to double major with International Relations? Basically I'm worried because I've been doing research and some people say that the international Relations major isn't very helpful with getting people jobs... so I'm worried about my future as well. Thanks!</p>
<p>I feel like a parrot- but few majors prevent you from pursing most opportunities unless the career requires undergraduate training/licencing. If you’d really enjoy International Relations, then do it. Having a maths major is great as employers do like numerate graduates. No one has a magic ball that can predict the employment market in 5 or 10 years. Roll with a mixture of joy and pragmatism but cast a critical eye over who’s giving the advice- a government employee or your hs friends?</p>
<p>I’d go for straight Economics and Maths as a double major if it wouldn’t be a ridiculous course load. Or, given how maths based Economics is, you might think about Economics with a math minor or even just straight economics which would allow you more space to pursue your languages. </p>
<p>Another option would be to do a study abroad year or semester in a foreign language but pursuing your economics/maths major(s). It could be a very real option if your Spanish is good enough. Many colleges have a program in place to allow students to do this.</p>
<p>just some comments to expand the range of options you might consider:
-You can do a math major + an IR major. That just gives you more options. The two majors dont necesaarily have to be related. The same consideration would apply if you did a math major + a language major. Since you like learning about and experiencing diffeent cultures, a language major might provide more of this than an IR major. Many IR majors require a regional specialty, which might satisfy your the cultural and language interests, however. </p>
<p>-As you already mentioned, a math major goes well with an economics major. Depending on the school you attend, the IR major might offer a specialty track in international economics. As an alternative to an economics or IR major, you could also consider a major in agricultural & resource economics (if you attend a landgrant public university) since that field also has a lot to offer in the area of international and development economics.</p>
<p>-As an alternative to an IR major, you could consider a major in Latin American studies. This could incorporate interests in IR, economics, and languages/cultues. This could build on your previous study of Spanish, and you could add Portuguese for the other major Latin American language. </p>
<p>-If you are good at math, it can open doors to any number of other fields. You need not major in it, but instead it can just be a necessary tool to give you access to other fields. For example, you could combine a major in IR or Latin american studies with a major in certain science fields (as a major or minor), such as earth sciences or GIS. Since environmental, energy, and resource issues are important in international affairs, this could be a relevant combination that might open up other career pathways. Some IR majors offer a specialty track in environmental/ resources issues. </p>
<p>-As an alternative to a math major, you also should consider a statistics major.</p>