Minding Minor Details
On October 30th, students and teachers alike came together in the Hub Fireplace Lounge to discuss and determine something that could possibly aid students in the future; minors. Some students were there to determine which classes they needed to enroll in to fulfill their current minor, and others wanted to find more information on the minors that interested them. Nevertheless, what purpose does a minor serve for students?
"There are two great reasons to have a minor," said Dr. Robin DeRosa, a professor and advisor. "The first is to develop a passion. If something doesn't fit in your program you can still follow your interests. The second is marketability. By acquiring more skill in contact areas in a competitive job market, you set yourself apart from the others." De Rosa's accomplice, Dr. Ann McClellan, also said "It gives students a focus on their electives. People think that electives are just a waste of time, but minoring counteracts that thought process."
The first of the aforementioned reasons to obtain a minor is the most straightforward reason to do so, as it dictates your interests. A student in Communications for example, may decide to declare a minor in English because he not only finds writing and rhetoric interesting, but recognizes that knowledge of grammar and other forms of rhetoric are amplifiers in the communications field. Although a student may not have a clear goal of what he or she wants to do with the minor, it will nonetheless allow the person that is going to be hiring the student to see the diverse interests that the student has.
To employers, having a minor shows that the student has spent extra time and effort studying a topic other than their major. Even if the minor has nothing to do with the job that he may be applying for, it nonetheless shows more character depth, as opposed to having none at all.
On the other end of the spectrum, if a graduate is searching for a specific job or company, minoring in a specific field would not only be beneficial, but essential. A minor could give you that extra boost in an applicant pool. "It gives you more opportunities in the job world," says Alanna Driscoll, a PSU psychology student who is considering minoring in English. "The more you know, the more you get to do."
The most important component of a minor is simply choosing the right one for you. While many would advise you to minor in a topic that in some aspect compliments your major, always follow your passion
A minor is something important for both the student and the employer, as it allows the student to stand out, and gives the employer the ability to place potential employees in a position within their scope of studies, giving the prospect experience in their field and subsequently leaving doors open for the future jobs.
Get Top Stories Delivered Weekly
More theclockonline News Articles
- Campton Elementary School 8th Grade Silent Auction & Spaghetti Dinner
- Student Spotlight: Sabrina Siegel
- Ghost Hunt With PSU Paranormal Research Club
- Steve Irwin: How He Brought Us Together
Recent theclockonline News Articles
Discuss This Article
MOST POPULAR THECLOCKONLINE
Campton Elementary School 8th Grade Silent Auction & Spaghetti Dinner By Rebecca Tgibedes
Will You? By Isabelle Elsasser
Summer in the Sunflowers By Emily Holleran
Student Spotlight: Sabrina Siegel By Justine Walsh
GET TOP STORIES DELIVERED WEEKLY
FOLLOW OUR NEWSPAPER
LATEST THECLOCKONLINE NEWS
RECENT THECLOCKONLINE CLASSIFIEDS
OUTSIDE THE LINES
- Clean Your Air: Six Ways To Manage Allergens
- Tips For Improving Mental Health
- New Writers and Illustrators Win Decades-Old Science...
- Moving Resources For Military Families
- Historic Agreement Signed By Red Cross and Armed Forces
- Salonpas® Brand Stands the Test of Time
- Tips to “Yard Your Way” This Spring
- Upgraded Upstate Power Grid Will Deliver a Smarter,...
- A Story To Sing About
- The Gap in Gum Care: Why Caring For Your Teeth’s F...
FROM AROUND THE WEB
- BookTrib’s Bites: Jump into Spring with These Four Reads
- The Untold Story of GoDaddy Founder’s Traumatic Life a...
- La Semana del Aprendizaje Juvenil destaca las oportunidades
- BookTrib's Bites: Four Captivating Spring Reads
- Moms Kick Back with Mamaritas
- Generac Urges Americans to Prepare for Power Outages Early
- Youth Apprenticeship Week Spotlights Opportunities
- New Expo Showcases AI Innovation
- Self-Care and Mental Health Tips for Caregivers
- Adventure Awaits: Discover the Playset that Brings...
COLLEGE PRESS RELEASES
- NOW Available: Comcast Launches NOW Brand Prepaid Internet and Mobile Services Nationwide
- Guidenar Launches New Career Test for Gen Z
- GotIt! Education Offers MathGPT Free to All State & Community Colleges
- Shoff Promotions Comic Book & Sports Card Show
- Semiconductor Research Corp unveils 2024 Research Call, $13.8M Funding