Okay so this post will be a little long just because I want to give as much information about my situation so I can get the best help possible. I also tend to ramble so if something is just a mess of words and you don’t understand please tell me to make it clear!
Okay so I live in Minnesota and so my junior year of high school I went full time PSEO at Minnesota West Community and Technical College. There I completed the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum and received my AA degree at the same time I graduated high school. I graduated this may, about 3 weeks ago. This fall I am going to Minnesota State University Mankato. Because it is a Minnesota University, the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum completes my Gen Eds there. So, I have two years/60 credits going in as a Freshman. I ended with a 3.7 college gpa and I also got a 32 ACT score as a sophomore in high school. I most enjoy math and science classes. So, I’m a fairly bright student and enjoy challenges.
Now for what I want to do. I originally planned on going into business. I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do but I enjoy business and management, MSU Mankato is known for a good business school, and I figured whatever I decided to pick as a career a major in business would be useful as business is used everywhere. Well, I currently work at a trucking company where I put together spreadsheets and analyze data. Because of my job and my interest in business, I have come to the conclusion that I want to pursue a career as an Actuary and specifically in the consulting area of Actuary. Because of this I have decided to major in Statistics. Here’s where it gets kind of complicated. I still want some type of education in business because as a consultant I want to have a solid foundation in business. I also really enjoy computers and want to explore that both because of my interest in computers along with the idea that computers are becoming such a key part in business that I think an education there would be beneficial. Finally I was accepted into the Honors program, but because I already have my gen eds done I only have to take 8 credits and a language class to complete the Honors program.
Here’s where you guys come in. Originally I thought of Majoring in Statistics with a minor in CIS and a minor in Business Administration. But after looking at the courses and thinking about it…it seems like getting a double major in Statistics and CIS plus a minor in Business Administration makes the most sense. CIS is about 2/3 Computer Science and 1/3 Business so its only 4 more classes to get the Business Administration minor. Also, for the CIS I have the opportunity to do what’s called the IBE program or Integrated Business Experience. Essentially, its the equivalent of a minor where I, in a group of students, start and run a business. So, we get to take the things we learn in classes and get hands on experience. I also have goals of interning abroad.
Basically, I want to get the double major and minor done in 2 years, 2.5 at the most, so I have another 1.5-2 years to go abroad, go into graduate school, get internships, leave early, etc. It just really opens up my opportunities. If I did double major and minor it is a total of 168 credits. I’m open to summer semesters and heavy coarse loads but is my goal of getting it done in 2 years doable? Also, and really why I’m here, is this necessary? I have an interest in doing all of this but I also don’t want to pile up debt if the extra major and minor really aren’t going to matter. I’d much rather do maybe one major and one minor or just one major and explore the other subjects on the side if it is going to free up more time to do things like study abroad. So now that I’ve rambled on hopefully I’m making sense and you guys are able to help. If you need me to be a little more concise or clear just tell me and I’ll do what I can! Thank you
Okay ill sum it up more to hopefully get a reply. Is it better to do 2 majors and a minor with less internship/study abroad or do just one major with maybe a minor and take more time to intern/study abroad?
HM, I think I would be satisfied with one degree. I feel a little like I settled by if it means better opportunity down the road then its a trade off I’m willing to take
I’m not sure double majors help in anyway. It seems to be a trend. Just get one major closest to your interest, get the degree period. Don’t delay graduation for another major. Do get internships, they are important for jobs. Only stay longer because of the internship. Internship can be longer than 3 months, plus it’s easier to have access to career center.
I think you should find out how hard Minnesota State University Mankato is before fixing your mind on a double major. Also, while it is good to have knowledge in multiple areas, that can be accomplished without the “canned” formats of official majors and minors. How do employers respond to double majors? I don’t know, but I suspect that it’s not an unequivocal positive. (I believe the best chances of employment occur when you look like the hire the employer envisioned, so a double major might even be a negative.)
So it seems like the general opinion is to get just a single major. Anyone out there who got two majors and maybe got a job because of it that they wouldn’t have? Also, any employers out there who could chime in on how they view double majors compared to an applicant with just one Degree?
Degrees will rarely get you jobs: A degree gets your foot in the door. Two feet get you in the door just as well as one would. Experience and know how land you jobs. Internships and other experience will far outweigh the value of a second degree, if it even has any.
Okay so maybe a double major isn’t worth the cost. Here’s another question then. My school has a program where a bachelors and masters combined can he obtained in 5 years rather than six. Would it he worth it to pursue a masters rather than a double major or still just stick with a single major and just a bachelors degree
Yea I’ve scoured that site, it’s a great resource! Well I’m leaning towards just a single bachelors degree right now and then just take more classes in programming and business without necessarily getting a degree. That will open up my options a lot for study abroad options. Anyone have advice for study/intern abroad options? Good places for actuary or statistics internships? Anyone been out of the country where they would highly recommend a student go?
Hey I am a junior and I plan to have a career as an actuary as well. How did you decide your major (statistics)? I know many actuaries do not actually major in actuarial mathematics, but rather statistics, mathematics, finance, or econ, so why did you choose statistics?
Well my school doesn’t have actuarial science, so that’s not an option for me. Now, I could have majored in finance or economics but, for me, those are things I can learn a lot easier outside of school from books and experience. Calculus and probability is something I would find more difficult to learn. Also, I’m getting a business administration minor too, so I will have that business background.
You do not need to major in actuarial science to prepare for actuarial careers; you can take the preparatory course work (including the courses at your school that are in the VEE list) while doing whatever major you like (many choose math or statistics).
I was looking at a double major at one point as well, but I found that this would take quite a bit of time. also something to take into consideration, how many years you want to be in school, even with your 60 credits.