I am majoring in Chemical engineering but have alot of extra space in my schedule. I am trying to decide on a minor, I am very interested in Mechanical. Will this minor be worth my time and open new opportunities for me? Feedback and/or other minor suggestions greatly appreciated!
Mechanical helps with process engineering.
Generally speaking, minors don’t open new opportunities except in rare situations. Usually, if you want to do a minor, it should be for your own intellectual curiosity. You are probably better off trying to get a position in a professor’s lab to get some research experience than you are in taking on a minor in most cases.
Or use the free slots in your course schedule to enroll in additional Math classes like Probability &Statistics. What about Chemistry classes that are relevant to ME, such as Electrochemistry (batteries)?
Instead of getting a minor, my D is thinking of dual major with Material Science as she has interest in both. It only takes 14 more credits on top of her ChemE major requirement and she can graduate within 4 years easily. Minor would have little help in career and mostly for personal interest or in something related to major (like your case). Dual major may increase job opportunity. Also, it may make you eligible to scholarships in both departments.
As most have said a minor is usually not a deciding factor in hiring, so if you want a minor make it something you’re doing because you want to learn it or because it will help you in industry. I’m a chem e major considering a minor in programming because I’m told it will be helpful in industry. If I don’t go that route, I may do a humanities or business minor
In most cases it won’t. There aren’t going to be many jobs out there that benefit for a dual major and jobs hiring for a position that don’t benefit aren’t going to give a lick about a second field of study.
@boneh3ad No. It is not job for dual major. But you can apply to jobs for either major.
That’s assuming that a given hiring manager won’t look at your application, see two majors, and wonder where your loyalties lie. While I have no first-hand experience with that, I’ve heard anecdotal evidence that it might be a legitimate threat. Someone on here who has done more hiring than I have would have to opine, though.
I’ll simply say on that topic that it’s better not to list that you have two majors unless they are both applicable or it’s a job where having two majors isn’t a downside (particularly high level companies or respectable government agencies). The more effective choice is to wait until you have a chance to explain yourself; until then just make two resumes.
It is never an issue to have two majors but applying to one job area. I know several engineering and music double major. I also know people with a second degree in a totally different field.
@boneh3ad Loyalties in education? Like it’s bad the more educated someone is? “Sorry dude, I can’t hire you, you know too much.”
No, more like “for my group I really need someone who is really hung ho about internal combustion engines. This guy has an ME degree so he is qualified but I can’t help but wonder if that EE degree means he will jump for an EE opportunity as soon as he can.”
And yes, more education can close doors. You need the right education for your career goals, not simply the most you can find, period.