<p>I figured this is the right forum to post this question...</p>
<p>Anyway, if you choose to double major, is it smarter to choose a second major that is closely linked to your first major (Ex. Intl. Affairs & Poli. Sci.), or is it smarter to choose a second major that is not linked to your first major (Ex. Intl. Affairs & Physics)?</p>
<p>I'd imagine if you chose two closely linked majors, employers would see you as more qualified for their particular field. However, with two unrelated majors, your job options are would be larger.</p>
<p>Do I have the right idea, or am I completely off base?</p>
<p>I think you should investigate the dual degree, double degree, submatriculation into graduate degree options that your school make available. Many times a double major doesn't accomplish either scenario that you posit.</p>
<p>It really depends on the employer. Some employers may see you as having the work ethic to go out of your way to pursue another field of interest, while others will see you as overqualified. I know someone who doubled in EE and CS but lost the job to an equally (or less) qualified EE because employers see him as overqualified and that he will demand a higher salary.</p>
<p>To answer your original question, try not to pursue two independent areas of study. For example, international affairs and physics, what can you do with that? Nothing, really. However, many majors will go well with economics or business since almost everybody you will work for in the future is running a business, and it's a good idea to get a general understanding of what it is.</p>
<p>It depends and it's complicated. Hopefully it's obvious that if you don't already truly know you want to study both fields, don't do it. It doesn't give you as much of a leg up as you imagine if you're doing it purely for career opportunities.</p>
<p>If the majors/careers are related and there is a section of work related specifically to both areas, that is the exception to the job opportunities rule. You need to investigate your options thoroughly. I 2nd hazmat's reccomendation to look at the other options he listed.</p>
<p>Then there are the personal reasons to double major. I'm kind of double majoring. My passion is musical theatre but I know how unrealistic it is to think I can make a living doing that, so I plan to be a nurse as my real job. I am pursuing my musical theatre degree while getting in the prereqs to an accelerated nursing degree I will attend after I graduate from my current program. By the end of this I will be able to pursue both fields as I see fit in my life. Of course, these two fields are so vastly different that, except for university requirements, there or no overlaps. Thus even if I were double majoring it would take me 6-7 years to complete both (my plan will take me 7 years, and allow me to focus on my passion for this next 4 of them).</p>
<p>Basically it's all a very personal matter and, regarding your original question, neither scenario would guarantee anything.</p>