I am currently a freshman at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo majoring in Computer Science. So far, I absolutely love the major. However a year from now, I need to know a more exact path I want to take as that is when we start taking technical electives here. All I know is I want to use computer science to help people. Would there be any benefit to pursuing a psychology minor? And if so, what possible job opportunities could I pursue that combines the two together?
Look at Pearson, Inc. What is MasteringBiology, MasteringMath, MasteringPhysics … ? All of that is rich online content that was specifically designed to help students learn a subject.
Look at Lumosity, Inc. Brain training supposedly helps you in the short run, although it was proven that it has no remarkable effects on the brain. However, it still incorporates psychology and computer science.
Look at Rosetta Stone, Inc. Learning a language has always been too difficult for people to learn before the invention of software that could help you learn a language faster and easier. All of their techniques and methods incorporates some kind of behavior-tracking research regarding languages, i.e. how people learn a language faster and easier.
There are probably numerous other companies that incorporate psychology, and I can tell you that every company uses behavior-tracking algorithms to suggest and market their products to a certain audience. Every successful company does this, e.g. Twitter, FB, Google, Microsoft, Apple… you name it.
If you’re asking whether you will make more money in the future - possibly, but most likely it won’t have an affect, depending on the companies you’re applying for. The ones I named would certainly appreciate it, but I doubt you will be closer to becoming a millionaire with a minor. CS alone has a stable industry, not sure if your time is worth pursuing a minor.
Google “matlab psychology” to see the intersection. Does it sound interesting to you? That’s the programming language I’ve seen mentioned in job ads involving programming in the (neuro)sciences.
Maybe a minor in bio or statistics would be more helpful
I have read that some teams of market analysts or data scientist employ psychologists or sociologists. Sometimes these teams are focused on advertising but sometimes they are focused on social services initiatives like NYC is trying, to see what people need and how to get them access. Research methods an stats used in social sciences can be helpful. However, I think just a stats minor may be as or more useful for such a purpose. But if you want some core knowledge in psychology or sociology then take it. When will you ever have a chance to choose what you want to study as a free college student. You never know where your interests might lead.