<p>Background:
I'm currently a prefrosh in BioE who was planning to double in IE (I have lots of AP credit). However, I'm hearing a lot of things about how a double major isn't worth it and doesn't really boost your resume for careers OR grad school, and I'm even having second thoughts about BioE. I hear that just a BioE B.S. doesn't have a lot of options other than grad school (which I am not against, but my main goal is to have lots of options coming out of undergrad). I am very interested in science, but also understand that business knowledge is very important if I don't want to be limited to academia or being stuck in a lab for the rest of my life (which is good for some, but not for me).</p>
<p>My options:
- Do the planned BioE + IE
- There's a joint major program at my school between BioE and MSE (so it'd be a lot easier)
- Do JUST BioE OR IE
- screw it all and apply for Haas Business major... (not really considering this one... but I suppose it's there)</p>
<p>so... I was wondering for those of you who have had experience in engineering fields (both industry and grad school admission), what were your thoughts? sorry if this was a bit long/rambling, I've just had a lot of things going through my head and I'm really trying to set myself up for an easier path in the future :)</p>
<p>that's what i heard from cornell eng advisors and professors.</p>
<p>i am yet to a see a single cornell faculty member who's willing to say the opposite.</p>
<p>ps. during the freshmen orientation week back in 2003, physics professors told all of its physics-major-wannabe that only ppl who will care that you did double majors are going to be your moms.</p>
<p>I've been hearing that a lot too, yet it just seems so counter intuitive :(
I'm interested in both science AND something business-y (like industrial engineering), so it seems so reasonable to think that majoring in both would be useful. </p>
<p>Thanks for the reply xjis, anyone else have input?</p>
<p>I go to Cornell as well and my adviser told me that double majoring is worthless unless you really have a passion for the other subject you want to study; it is a ridiculous amount of work. It won't get you any more pay, and you need a graduate degree if you want to get paid more. </p>
<p>Go for the business minor. It's not that much work and it satisfies your interests.</p>
<p>Rofflez, I would wait until after your first year before you make any drastic decisions such as double majoring. I'm a rising junior in BioE, and I've thought about double majoring in Haas, Econ, and IEOR - I've decided to do none of them. BioE is a very demanding major (as are all engineering fields), and it's pretty difficult to try and double.</p>
<p>Oh, and BioE isn't a worthless degree. Every senior I've known has either landed a pretty decent job or has gone on to grad school (be it med school, business school, or PhD), so prospects aren't nearly as grim as people make them out to be. As with any major, though, I recommend that if you don't enjoy it you should bail.</p>
<p>PM me if you want more information, I'd be glad to help you out.</p>
<p>Why wouldn't companies care if you had a double major? I mean, if someone was a Biomedical engineer and they had a double major with computer science - wouldn't that mean that they can do both their normal engineering duties and be proficient programmers for the company? A double threat so to speak.</p>
<p>It would mean that you could get an IE job or a BME job when you graduate, but that's it. It's not like like they'll hire you in place of two people and pay you extra.</p>
<p>LOL, 25+ years ago I was interviewing candidates for an EE position. The selection committee decided to make an offer to a candidate with a dual major, EE and Comp E. I made the offer, about $30k/year (which was a good offer at the time) and he stated that he felt that he deserved double that due to his double major. After I explained our position he agreed to accept our offer.</p>
<p>The dual major did not enter into our decision...it was his overall demeanor during the interview process that got him the job offer.</p>
<p>In almost all cases (science and engineering), a double major is worthless. You will be better served by pursuing courses for an MS degree while an undergraduate, IMHO.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Why wouldn't companies care if you had a double major? I mean, if someone was a Biomedical engineer and they had a double major with computer science - wouldn't that mean that they can do both their normal engineering duties and be proficient programmers for the company? A double threat so to speak.
[/quote]
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<p>See... this is not how it works. You either go into a CS job or a biomed job. You don't go into both. If you are a biomed engineer, the most knowledge you'll need of CS is what a minor gives you. Vice versa applies for CS. Thus, the only reason to do a double major is if you have a deep passion for the second major- don't expect more money.</p>
<p>my main reasoning to go double major was to gain knowledge/skills in both the technical and the business side of engineering.
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<p>well, then just do it then. what ppl are saying is, just don't expect to be paid back for going through all that extra trouble. it's mainly for your own satisfaction more than anything else, and you already seem to know that.</p>
<p>and yes, ppl go 'woo' and 'ahh' over double or triple major kids who can still pull 4.0 gpa. but then again, i go 'woo' and 'ahh' over any 4.0 kids.</p>
<p>rofflez, I think the (slightly) intangible gains are invaluable in that you're taught "how to think" in variant ways. Those skills will make you more competitive once you make it in, but no company will hire you merely due to the dual degree. I'm actually in a similar boat. I want to pursue ChemE but I have a love for physics I don't want to neglect. Ultimately, I may just do both - but if a salary is the main impetus, you're going to find yourself very miserable sooner rather than later.</p>
<p>honestly, I can't say for sure yet :) still a prefrosh here. The reason I'm asking so early is because Berkeley has pretty set classes for each major (darn you public school), so starting sophomore year I'll be taking major specific courses</p>
<p>I feel that a BME + IE double major "could" be useful but the work/time needed to maintain both degrees in an efficient time frame would not be feasible and unless you find a "niche" job that incorporates both majors, one of the majors will essentially go to waste. </p>
<p>I think you should stick to a single major and supplement your courses with business electives, just so you have "that knowledge". As I said, if you are adamant about being a business guy, just get an MBA.</p>
<p>Seriously, the BSE degree is not going to be the first professional degree much longer. BSE graduates are malleable...an additional major is worthless in most cases. Soon the MS degree will be recognized as the first professional degree, much like the five year degree in Germany. </p>
<p>That said, your BSE degree is certainly valuable if it is accredited. If it leads to professional certification, that will enhance your earning power.</p>