<p>Hey, I am thinking about doing the IR minor here (I am already in ILR). I am interested in IR, so the program would def. be intellectually stimulating, however (and I am not basing my decision on this, just interested), would there be any benefit to minoring in IR (or anything for that matter?). Especially considering how different ILR and IR are in the eyes of an employer. Basically, what are the practical benefits that one gets from minoring, and more specifically, minoring in IR. Thanks.</p>
<p>Practical benefits?</p>
<p>An expanded education, the opportunity to study something that you are interested in, a more grounded world view, and an increased ability to understand and relate to others. </p>
<p>And yes, for any employer who might at all have an international presence it would be a nice feather in your cap. But please don’t let the ends justify the means. I’m getting quite worried about our generation.</p>
<p>basically, would you advise concentrating in a minor or using my electives to take random, interesting, but unrelated classes? What do you think is a better use of Cornell’s resources? I hear about how great Cornell is in terms of classes, etc., but now that I am here I am a bit overwhelmed by the options, and that while it is true that there are endless classes and options, I am having a difficult time understanding how to utilize them. Disregard my first question, I agree with you, thats why I added that I would not base my decision solely upon it, I was trying to determine more pros and cons to add to the list before I make a decision.</p>
<p>I want to do PAM HumEc with an IR minor! I was thinking of applying ILR, but then I was like, nahh, HumEc is better. I don’t really care what factor an IR minor will play in employment, but I want to study it. In an increasingly globalized business world, IR might be handy too. I’m getting a Masters so I might as well study what I like in undergrad. </p>
<p>Oh and when I said HumEc’s better I meant PAM is a better fit for me, I don’t wanna accidentally start one of those arguments where people are like “my college is better!” “nuh uh MINE is!” “oh yeah well you’re in a contract school so it’s suny!”</p>
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<p>There are a lot of ways to shape the IR major to explore those endless classes and options that you refer to.</p>
<p>Think about what type of student you are and what type of big ideas you are interested in. </p>
<p>Me? I can walk you down my own thought path. I was definitely interested in IR, and started down that path, including taking courses in European Politics, American Foreign Policy, and Immigration. But at the end of the day I was more interested in economics and domestic policy, so I concentrated in economics and inequality studies instead. I also took a bunch of math/stats course that kept me out of the game from taking foreign language. </p>
<p>But I did get to study abroad for six months, so that compensated a little bit.</p>
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me too! I wanted to do an IR major at NYU, where it’s an honors major and pretty strong program. But in the past yr, my interests have changed, and I would much rather study public policy and I want to get an MPP, so PAM fits that more. Definitely gonna study abroad though! and I want an IR minor.</p>