will a double major help get a better job? -- Virtually Advising Q+A

The Q: What's better on your transcript and when it comes to applying for jobs: graduating with a double major or majoring in one subject, graduating and then reapplying for another major?

The A: The quick answer: Neither. Your choice of majors, in itself, matters quite little. What's really important are the job-related knowledge and experience you've been able to gain during your time in college. That'll come not only from the classroom, but also through internships, part-time jobs, extracurriculars and other experiences. It also will make itself evident during your job interview: Prospective employers will generally be swayed by your ability, your confidence and your drive, not by whatever majors are listed on a couple lines of your resume. (Plus, keep in mind that very few, if any, employers will ask to see your college transcript.)

The longer answer: It depends on the major. If you're trying to become a physicist, for instance, majoring in physics is a pretty important part of that equation. The same goes for many of the hard sciences. For the liberal arts, though -- anything from advertising to political science to French -- your choice of major is much less important. It's what you've done with your interests that matters.

To that end, I recommend two things: First, only double major if you are equally passionate about both subjects. If you only truly enjoy one, and would take the second just for the sake of making your resume look better, it's probably not worth putting yourself through the extra classes. Second, if you graduate and are still interested in learning more about other subjects, take additional courses as a continuing-education student. Don't try to re-enroll at the college! I don't believe most schools even allow their students to do so, and at any rate, it'd likely be a lot more trouble (in terms of expense and extra classes you'd be required to take) than it's worth. If you take a bunch of continuing-ed courses in another subject and decide you're really in love with it, you can always head to graduate school for an advanced degree.

I'd urge you to stop in with your adviser on campus (or, even better, a counselor at your school's career center) so you can talk this over with someone in person. S/he might have more -- or heck, better -- ideas, especially if s/he's already familiar with you and your situation.

—Myles Helfand, General Advisor