<p>I'm a sophomore International Affairs major, focusing on Latin America. I also anticipate minoring in Social Entrepreneurship and then maybe going on to business school. I went into Intl Affairs with a change-the-world, I'm-gonna-work-for-a-non-profit mindset and I've really loved the major. However, I've realized (especially since I'm living with engineers) that this major isn't giving me any marketable skills or anything. I'm definitely learning a lot, but I don't really know how to actually do anything, you know? When we talked about Social Entrepreneurship in my intro to Intl Affairs class, I was extremely intrigued by it and I'm definitely going to try to get into the intro class for next semester. Half of that minor is participating in a Field Study in either South Africa or the Dominican Republic. As much as I would LOVE to be in South Africa for five weeks, I would have to do the DR (which I also really want to go to) and I think it would tie IAF, SE, and Spanish together quite nicely.</p>
<p>So. I thought I would end up minoring in Spanish. It's always been my favorite subject and I studied in Spain for five weeks this past summer. Somewhere along the road I heard that minoring doesn't really mean anything (which is why SE would be supplemented by business school obviously). And I also ended up having to take an honors class this semester, Intro to Linguistics, which counts towards the major but not the minor. So that inspired me to double major with Spanish and made me realize that is what I am most passionate about. I've taken at least five classes so far that would go towards the major and there's plenty of overlap between IAF and Spanish. However it would still be an extremely tight fit getting all three of these majors/minors. The majority of the Spanish major classes left are all literature classes. I haven't taken any yet, and I'm definitely interested in taking one or two at least, but the major requires five. I don't know if that's what I want to be doing with the rest of my college career. (There's also cultural classes that seem like a bit of a joke, so Idk how I feel about spending the big tuition bucks on them.) I also feel weird majoring in a subject that so much of the world already naturally knows. Oh and there's also a sliiiiight chance that I might end up wanting to be a Spanish teacher if I don't find the right career path (I know that would entail going back to school and doing a ton more work and spending a ton more money). </p>
<p>Is it worth it for me to go for the double major? I really am wicked passionate when it comes to Spanish and I might even end up absolutely loving all the lit courses. I'm also probably going to study in Peru spring 2012. I love Spanish-- do I need the double major to prove it? (That's not really how I'm looking at this, but maybe it's a valid question.)</p>
<p>Discuss with your college advisor. Also- look at the differences in courses required for the Spanish major/minor. The minor on your transcript could show prospective employers you have likely attained proficiciency in the Spanish language. You may not wish to do all of the Spanish literature required of a major. Some schools do not have minors (such as my alma mater), but now offer “certificates” in a few majors. One is in computer science- this will show up on the transcript and shows a certain level of course requirements met/ expertise. If you ever consider grad school you may find a foreign language necessary for fields you are likely to be interested in based on what you posted. </p>
<p>Bottom line- you never have to prove your love of a subject. Always remember you are educating yourself in college, not just jumping through requirement hoops or creating a resume.</p>
<p>I don’t think majoring means that much either. In the business world what matters is whether or not you are fluent. The more time you spend in a Spanish speaking country the more likely you will be able to say you are. If you like Spanish enough to major, by all means do so.</p>
<p>Why not sign up for one of the major-level lit. classes next semester and see if you like it? If so, declare the Spanish major at the end of your sophomore year. If not, settle for the minor.</p>
<p>I am passionate about Spanish (and Spanish literature, in fact). It is a lifelong thing, at least since I was 12 or so. Everyone who knows me knows that, and it has always been on my resume. Not only was I not a Spanish major, I didn’t take a single Spanish course in college. (My college’s Spanish department wasn’t so strong at the time. I did take a Golden Age Poetry course at the local university when I was in 11th grade.) My sister majored in Spanish, and she can barely speak it anymore.</p>
<p>So . . . (a) Your major doesn’t matter. Your skills do matter. (b) Being a Spanish major generally means a lot of Spanish literature. Heaven for me, but if you don’t roll that way don’t do it.</p>
<p>Thanks so much everyone! All of this advice is definitely greatly appreciated. </p>
<p>I’ve never met with my IAF advisor, and I know I definitely need to do that asap (unfortunnately, her appointments are probably booked these next two weeks and I register Wednesday morning). I think what I’m going to do is take the intro to Social Entrepreneurship class, 12th-17th C. Spanish Lit (this would go towards either the minor or major and might help me decide if this is the way I want to go), an IAF class that would potentially go towards the Spanish major, and another IAF req or core req. </p>
<p>I’m also starting to consider doing Spanish as the minor (in fact with that lit class, I think I might have the minor after next semester! But I’ve been taking Spanish since 7th grade, so I really can’t imagine not taking any more Spanish classes with the obvious exception of study abroad…) and perhaps pursuing an education minor. I’d have to decide between elementary and secondary (elementary if I’d potentially want to teach at an urban bilingual school as I’ve been volunteering at or secondary if I want to be a Spanish teacher).</p>
<p>Soooo, I guess I’m either going to end up in social entrepreneurship or teaching… or just as likely neither. But it’s so exciting to think about the possibilities!</p>