Some interesting takeaways here: Post-graduation earnings vary widely for double majors. A STEM major, either as a single major or part of a double major, fare appreciably better than other double major combinations. Students double majoring in engineering and natural sciences earned an average starting salary of $78,342; those double majoring in education and a social science earned $45,491. Choosing a second major perceived as “high status” — such as economics or one of the sciences — was a way for students to gain more prestige. When presenting themselves to employers or parents, the typical double major student tended to focus on the higher-status major; when reflecting on their core identity, however, he or she frequently identified more strongly with the lower-status choice. “Many students choose a humanistic discipline or a foreign language [second major] only after they have a more “practical” discipline under their belts. Were the trend in double majoring to decline … the humanities and foreign languages would likely experience fewer majors and possibly decreased enrollments.” Only 1.7% of single majors chose to study a foreign language, while 10.5% of double majors studied it. Students reported that having two majors helped foster creative problem-solving strategies, and those with one major in the arts or humanities reaped the most benefits. However, most institutional structures did not or were unable to provide adequate support for double majors. Double majoring has increased more than 10% at the more selective schools, with some schools reporting that 30% to 40% of their undergraduates are double majors. However, African-Americans choose to double major at a significantly lower rate than white, Asian or Latino students; a student’s socioeconomic status can also adversely impact his or her opportunity to pursue a double major. Men and women were equally likely to double major, though their choices of majors differed: men chose majors in economics and a science, and women chose majors in a social science and a foreign language. “Students are generally interested in picking two majors that complement one another, where there is overlap in requirements and where the two combined majors better prepare them to be competitive in their careers.… Double majors gravitate toward business-related majors; economics and business administration are popular choices.” A second major may also be an expression of the student’s identity, connecting them to personal interests or experiences. vanderbilt.edu/curbcenter/manage/files/Teagle-Report-Final-3-11-13-2.pdf
Posted on: Wed, 24 Jul 2013 19:07:59 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015