No more triple majors, please: College kids should cut course loads
Current college fad: racking up double, triple, and even quadruple majors in order to impress future employers. This strategy is wrought with irony because, in effect, someone who has a triple major screams, “Don't hire me. I'll be a management disaster!”
My advice to all you triple majors is to dump the excessive course load and get a life. If you want to impress employers, use college as a time to demonstrate creativity, curiosity, quick learning and good social skills. Here's why:
A triple major exhibits no creativity. The most creative act is to choose a path for your life. College is an early opportunity to decide what you want to do with yourself, one course at a time. Cramming your schedule full of required courses for two or three majors is a rejection of creativity; in effect, you allow someone else to dictate your path for four years. Business visionaries set paths to goals that other people could never have thought of. Practice being a visionary in college by choosing a path no one else could choose.
A triple major is not for the intellectually curious. If you love learning then you will take whatever classes you want and you don't worry if they add up to another major. People who need their courses to add up to another major are people who are conditioned to learn only for an external reward. Employers need people who will be curious even after the grading system is over. In college learn for learning's sake, not for the department head's approval.
A triple major is for the timid. A broad education teaches you to learn diverse topics quickly. Practice learning something totally new by taking courses in each of the departments in your college rather than cowering in the safety of topics you're majoring in. Business requires a wide breadth of knowledge — writing, finance, technology, psychology, sociology. You can't learn every idea in school, but you can learn to pick up new ideas quickly.
Once you're committed to choosing just one major, stay away from business. In college you need to learn how to think broadly and critically. How you think is much more important than if you know how to map a brand strategy. You have your whole life to study business; college is your time for Shakespeare, Schopenhauer, and science experiments. In this new era of downtrodden, low-key CEOs, one CEO stands out for her star power: Carly Fiorina. And guess what her major was? English.
Finally, take some blow-off courses. You need time to develop social skills, because when it comes to business they cannot be stressed enough. Go to parties and make conversation with someone you didn't think you liked. Figure out how to like something about that person, because that's an important part of management— figuring out how to like even the most unlikable people. And stop by your professor's office hours. Don't have something to say? Make something up. Because that's what life will be like with your boss. Face time will be everything and you'll have to be savvy and strategic about how to get yourself in front of him and make him enjoy talking to you.
Learn how to make people like you. The smartest are not promoted. The most likeable are promoted. Dump the extra majors and use college as a time to learn about yourself. The more you understand yourself the better you will be able to relate to other people. That's what will really help you to succeed in business.
If multiple undergraduate degrees is a bad idea I would think so too is graduate school.
Practicing things helps you get better at them. People typically choose to major in things they enjoy learning about and want to get better at. I doubt it could ever be a bad thing to be more experienced in the field you enjoy- maybe triple majoring won’t impress future employers I doubt being a liberal arts yuppie will interest them any more. I say if it’s what you enjoy learning, structure isn’t a bad thing. Sure, maybe you’re referring to the people who are just taking extra majors becasue they want to seem more qualified and not because they truly like what they’re doing but, for the most part, I believe those sorts of people- eh I don’t want to continue that line of reasoning or whatever.
New point: In colleges and universities where many major choices are available there are likely many unique ways you can combine them so you are still learning new, interesting things while being “creative”. Blah blah blah.
History, Art History, and Latin Major. University Honors, Liberal Arts Honors, Special Honors in History, Special Honors in Art History. Future Law school student. History sets the stage for where we are today and where laws, societies, and cultures come from, all of which are interspersed with the progression of art. Latin provides the background for numerous terminologies in law. Triple major is bull? Your weak arguments are bull.
I would also have disagree with the idea of a triple major being for the weak and timid.
I myself am currently attending ksu, working on three separate degrees, computer tech Internet/multimedia, computer tech general software design marketing, and computer tech developing with a focus on software engineering.
I’m also minoring in business management and HR management.
I work part time washing dishes, run a small haul away business with my truck, and somehow manage to pull all this off with about four to five hours of sleep a night.
In the past year, i look like I’ve aged four years.
What really bothers me about this article, is the generalized fact that the people around you have yet to cut your fingers off, in an attempt to stem the flow of stupidity you’re posting on the Internet.
I may be incorrect in assuming such has yet to happen, though, as it is possible you simply smash your forehead against the keyboard until something with a slight semblance to an interesting and factual article begins to form.
TL;DR- find a fire, die in it.
I did a triple major and i did have a life. I am not a disaster management. I was hired before i was able to move off campus. Its what you can handle and feel comfortable with. Being able to manage so much is no easy feat.
I am a triple major in Political Science, Philosophy, and Physics. I love my three majors and find that my academic journey has been very rewarding, interesting, and truly fruitful to my development, both mental and social. I have a 3.9 GPA and will be attending Stanford Law School in the fall. Please do not discourage students from pursuing bigger academic feats! It could change their life. :)
I kind of just think you’re a dumb jealous old lady who wishes she could rethink her life choices. Don’t playa’ hate on people making something of themselves or multitasking because you couldn’t/can’t/won’t be able to ever do it. Sorry.
–Triple Majored in Japanese, German, and Spanish, working on a masters in Linguistics
I’m an incoming college freshman planning to triple major in international studies, history, and political science with a minor in Spanish. I’ve dreamed my whole life to travel around the world and my three degrees will help see that dream become a reality. Doane College (my chosen college and my
home town liberal arts college) has a great history with the Fulbright program having over 60 Fulbright Scholars since it’s inception. At Doane they have this wall of distinguished scholars most being the Fulbright Scholars and all of those them had two or more degrees. If I ever want to be a part of that history and accomplish my dream I need three degrees. I’m also a cross country and track athlete so I’ll get my fair share of physical activity speaking of physical activity I need to go run now. Adios
Jacob, your post reeks of naivete. Take classes and figure out what you want to do after getting some real experience in those fields. Also, nobody really gives a shit about undergrads once you’ve been accepted to graduate school, and if you want to ‘travel around the world’ then you will need graduate-level credentials, and even then it is not likely that your dream will succeed. Sorry, c’est la vie.
By the way, I just graduated with a quadruple-major Bachelor of Arts Degree (Cum Laude) in History, Philosophy, Political Science, International Studies, and a minor in European Studies, so I’m not exactly the anti-intellectual type. I’m just telling you that there is a difference between triple or quadruple majoring because you want to impress others and doing it because you love the fields you’re studying. I did it for the latter, and it sounds like you wish to do the former. Also, it’s one degree, not three degrees, no matter how many majors you have.
$$$$$$ UPDATE $$$$$$$$$$$
Hey everybody, this is Rick again. I commented on this article a while back ( I was a triple major with political science, international relations, and economics background) and I graduated with all three degrees a few months ago. I have been on the job hunt since May 2011 and frankly, I am so thankful I got the 3 Bachelors instead of the “1 bachelors and 1 masters” non sense everyone told me to get. Because of my expertise in economics, I can tell you that your choices for education will not always put you in a position to get gainful employment after graduation, unless you choose well. The problem is, not everyone chooses well. Colleges and the media in general try to sell the idea of just getting a degree and having access to many jobs. That isn’t the case. My economics degree made me 90% more employable because of the intellectual rigor involved in this degree communicates to employers that I am worth a second look. Also, the three bachelors degrees are way more cost effective than the “1 bachelors and 1 masters” that everyone else has. Masters classes on average cost 3-10x per credit hour than undergrad courses. Not to mention that the funding for graduate courses is about 1/5 of whats out there for undergrads.
Another point of concern is the fact that having a masters will make you over qualified for entry level jobs. Employers dont want to hire someone who they think will leave when someone else throws more money their way. They would rather take a person with a B.A. and train them then take a Masters student who probably thinks the job is beneath them anyways.
Last and most important, having three Bachelors degrees is flat out impressive. It really is. Just the sound of it makes you want to know more about the person with 3 B.A.s. And thats the key. It makes employers and higher ups want to learn more about u. With the multiple Bachelors degrees, you are able to communicate to the employer that you are likely to be just as interesting and intelligent as a masters candidate without all the baggage. “the flexibility of 1 bachelors with the power of a masters” is what you get with a triple degree.
P.S.- to all my fellow triple majors, I have been inundated with job offers since my graduation. In this economy I have been blessed with many opportunities and I have been able to weed out the prospects. If i had to count, I’d say 15 interviews in 2 months, 30 invites for interviews that I declined, 15 job offers, 14 of which I have declined and 1 that I believe I will take. A triple major, with atleast one of them being technical in nature (accounting, finance, econ, computers, stat or Math) is what employers really want now. Also, expertise in MS OFFICE SUITE!!!! Which is what you would get in any business degree program.
Your a moron!
Your a moron!
Not to be rude, from the way it looks, you’re the moron because you just used the wrong “your.” I’m sorry but if we are going to ridicule others for their opinions, I think we should take an effort in not making ourselves to like an ass. Thank you.
This article clearly shows an effort of academic discouragement. People can choose whatever they want. The more degree and education they have, the more they help themselves and contribute their intellectuals to society as a whole.
I don’t understand why you state that being intellectually curios is not triple majoring, and then later state that smart people (the ones who did triple major) don’t get promoted? I personally am a triple major in Econ, International Studies, and History. I also Speak Russian, German, French, and English. I have no idea why you would encourage people to take joke classes, while that may be O.K. for Liberal education classes, it is a waste of money one they are completed.
While your plan my work for a non-driven non-intellectual person who needs to know people to get a job, why not be smart and network?
Incredible! This blog looks exactly like my old one! It’s on a completely different subject but it has pretty much the same layout and design. Outstanding choice of colors!
I think you should just remove this blog post….
This writer has to be kidding. I am currently a triple major in chemistry, mathematics and economics which are some of the most highly prized degrees in the market. I am currently looking into a PhD program at an Ivy league and hope to go into econometrics. If I decided to just work right now, I would probably be making six figures in two years since I interned recently and got paid $28 for my “timidness.” The person who wrote this is probably an unemployed English major which everyone knows is not a real major. Triple majors are only worthless if you try to triple major in English, sociology and art.
This is hands-down the dumbest article I have read this year.
Aside from steering students off their desired path, it is backed up with zero fact and some thoroughly flimsy “soft theory” reasons why not to triple major.
What an absolute joke, undoubtedly written by somebody who did not excel in their studies (and who wants to feel better about themselves). Tsk.
How pathetic and mind-bogglingly retarded could you be lol. Triple major if you want to, or don’t… But don’t pretend to be some expert on academia and employer HR management. You are clearly very misinformed and/or inexperienced.
I’m a polymath it can’t be helped!
I too disagree with this article. I have two major goals in life: 1. To become a neurosurgeon. 2. To become a successful author. I am majoring in Biology, Neurobiology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Medical Anthropology and English. Five of the six are heavily related and would only further boost my knowledge in my premier work field.
It is impossible to take on five majors. Especially those you have listed. go back to elementary school.
Both sides of this argument are right in their own ways. It all depends on what your taking, where and why you’re taking them.
Pointless arguing..
The author’s kids are home schooled.. this may explain her opinion towards successful people. It’s sad though to see something like that…
I also don’t agree. I’m considering a triple-major and my problem has never been a lack of creativity. I actually find my diverse interests cause me a problem in settling for the usual one major-one minor, or even a double-major. Having an education that spans three different subject ares will allow me to have a more comprehensive view of complex subjects and will give me extra abilities to perform studies that span multiple subjects (for example: soil biology: microbiology/chemistry/physics(to see how energies and radiation affect the soil).
I realize that this might not be required, but filling requirements are not my goal. I AM intellectually curious, which is why I want to understand as many aspects as possible about my future study subject. Also, my hope is to become a professor one day, so I think this sort of intellectual ambition would make me an asset as a teacher and as a researcher.
I see your point that some people might take a triple-major for the wrong reasons, however, that isn’t all of us.
I disagree with this completely. Not for the intellectually curious. One could argue, but to triple major takes a lot of hard work and dedication. I am attempting to double major and have to take 22 credit hours for two semesters so that I will be able to graduate in four years. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication. Employers may only look up on it I think. They will not look down upon someone who spent extra time earning an extra degree. They might not think of you as a much better person, but one who manages their time and classes well enough can obviously manage themselves pretty well. Taking classes for curiosity like you said is the reason kids graduate in 5-6 years and then have hard times finding jobs and are in debt. This is the dumbest thing I have eve heard. I hope you have fun at DeVry
i am a triple major in chemistry, mathematics, and physics. most physics and chemistry departments ill equip you for the level of mathematics required by those majors and thus the drop out rate for sciences is rather high. and trying to understand chemistry or even biology without a physics background is rather naive. i personally would like to understand things to the core and not whats on the surface. the amount of imagining, critical reading,writing, and thinking skills required by my fields push me more than what a single field would do. i plan on specializing in chemical physics. i would not be able to do so otherwise without the background i received. and to say that triple majors are unmanageable is more on the managers not on the applicant. if a manager cannot manage someone with more training than the manager himself, then thats a poor manager indeed.
Ew, I’m actually barfing about all the people who are so defensive about their triple/quadruple majoring. LIKE… WHAT? It’s her opinion, and obviously her opinions have gotten her quite far – you don’t have to like them, though. It doesn’t matter if her reasons are “weak” – your complaining makes you sound stupid as heck.
Oh, and she’s not “threatened by your intelligence”, I think you’re threatened by hers.
Have fun with your BSc in Biochemicalphysicalgeology with extra majors in friggen’ Basketweaving and Women’s Studies.
PEACE.
I Im triple majoring in International Bus, Computer Science and Classical studies. Ive had an internship in Germany ( I learned German in International Bus but I guess thats not creative?). Ive also been to Rome and Paris for convention having to do with the Greek and Latin language for my Classical Studies. Finally, I have had the opportunity to work on multiple video games and apps for different companies due to what I have learned in Computer Science so far. But I guess Im not going to be creative enough to get a 9-5 somewhere?
P.S
sorry for the grammer erros.. I know their there I just dont have the time to fix them. Because Im to busty being creative and living life instead of bringing down others with my perfectly written posts.
Ok, I’m majoring in Computer Science, Math, and Electrical Engineering. I practically have a sure fire job the second I get out of college. You may have better grammar and spelling in this language but for my job it truly only matters in C, C++, Python, and Pearl. So Instead of discouraging people who know what they want to do, you should give them insight and wish the best of luck to anyone who is passionate enough to know what they want.
Cheers
I am a double major with a triple minor and a Project Management Certificate. I am over the age of 40, and in 3 years, completed one major and two minors. I am currently working on my second major and my third minor. By the end of the degree cycle (2014) I will have had 3 internships, 3 study abroads, and put all three of my children in college, along with running my own business. I do have a personal life, and when I declared my 3rd minor the other day, the department chair stated he had never seen anyone without electives on their transcript; everything I have taken counted toward something, and I was able to have some classes waived due to testing out of them. Look into CLEP testing along with internships as an Independent Study in your chosen major or minor. Get creative with your schedule and see opportunities instead of obstacles. Creativity is not what I lack, nor focus or ingenuity. Reach for the stars and hold on to your dreams; you will only be happy pursuing what you enjoy.
I have a lot of respect for your opinion on triple majors, and i’m taking your class on canvas.com this year so I imagine you probably know what your talking about. However, I don’t completely agree with you. People who triple major don’t do it to impress future employers, they get multiple jobs to do that. People who triple major do it because they have an unlimited amount of imagination and intellectual curiosity, and the only way for them to pursue their passions is by triple majoring or double majoring. Doubling up on majors is not for everyone, but for some people, having an extra major in computer science is to them the same thing as sports are to a college athlete. They do it to pursue their passion, and because sometime s triple majoring is what it takes to gain the knowledge to make a true difference in their lives and in the academic/ science world. I want to triple major because one I love psychology, want to make a difference with neuroscience, and am curious and passionate about computer programming. I have enough job experience to get me a great paying job, but I still choose to invest heavily into my education because that is what matters to me most. Thank you however, for sharing your insight on the topic. We can’t all have the same opinions and no opinion is wrong. I am truly excited to start your course on January 27th! Keep writing!
I would have to disagree. I’ve got a triple major in BME, Biology, and Math. I’ve also taken courses not required for any of those, such as medical ethics, spanish, french, psychology, etc. I’m also very creative. I play 3 instruments, and I have artistically skilled. No one, but I myself, has dictated what I should be taking. Math and Biology allow for quite a bit of choice in course. Why do I have 3 majors? Because I know I can get them and I’m willing to challenge myself to get them. I’m also an exceptional planner that can organize all the classes I need and want to take so that I meet all requirements. I don’t think exceptional planners and go getters are management disasters. I’m also pretty sure that BME’s I work with will appreciate my knowledge of molecular cell biology and advance mathematics.
Ok, so though I disagree with penelope’s opinion, I do understand it at the same time. Now a days we spend so much time in the classroom, that our ideas of “social time” is sitting in front of TV with a couple of roommates. Students now a days need more than ever to get out of the classroom, forget about these artificial pieces of paper/ “credit”, and just go out there to explore the world, and make discoveries, and learn whatever there is out there for them to learn. This whole idea of having to sit in a classroom for four years and go through class after class just so you can get some piece of paper have repeated to you what real learners went out and discovered for themselves, is total BS. If we really care about learning, we should be able to go out into the world like all the great academics, philosophers, and scientists did, and make up our own hypothesis about how the world works, and truly learn about physics, and biology, and philosophy in a hands on manner. Unless you can take every bit of what you learned in the classroom commit it to memory, then magically apply it whenever need be, then that degree wasn’t really worth it.
I am caught in the middle of this debate. From the author’s view, I can agree with the idea that maybe pursuing a triple major isn’t a wise idea because it can over-qualify you for some positions. (Ridiculous, right? How can someone be over qualified for a position.) For example, I spoke with a superintendent at a high school and he said he would rather higher candidate A, who holds a bachelors degree, versus candidate B who holds a Masters degree because candidate A has less credentials and will be payed less. However, that is only one example and that is one, focused degree. I personally would think that crafting your degree would show that you’re take initiative and are willing to learn a broad knowledge of subjects. I, however, also personally think that pursuing several different degrees IS a good idea and I plan on doing it myself. I have nothing to prove what I think is right, it’s just a matter of opinion.
I can’t agree with this article. Lets be positive. A triple major can show your hard work, determination, and motivation. It can open up so many more doors for you as well. A college education is so expensive. You might as well do as much as you can. Basically, you are killing three birds with one stone with a triple major.
I highly disagree with this article. I believe that you are writing this article based on mere assumptions. You are insulting a large group of individuals who you know nothing about in terms of personality and skills. A triple major could very well be someone who is dynamic, incredibly creative, and goal oriented. These arguments are very weak and narrow-minded. You assume that these people have no skills other than working for their degrees. You apparently believe that they are not creative, brave, passionate, or useful in the real world. Apparently, being brave by taking the financial risks of getting more than one degree or learning more than one discipline to satisfy intellectual curiosity doesn’t compute for you. If you knew what you were speaking about, you would know that most colleges have a limit to the number of courses you can take outside of your major. If you are ‘intellectually curious,’ then you would not be allowed to take many courses outside of your major before being charged a fee. In addition, “management disaster” seems to be the opposite of what you would think of a person who successfully graduates with more than one major. Clearly, they are more than capable of managing various aspects of theirs lives and being responsible enough to pass many highly difficult courses in order to get their degrees. Reading this particular article from a close-minded, columnist that does not understand how to support her opinions (a few English and Philosophy courses would have done you well in college, you ‘creative’ and ‘intelligent’ non-triple major, you) was a waste of my time. I hope you take some time to reconsider your insulting article and your ridiculously under-supported opinions (because for opinions to have any validity they actually need to be supported. Did you skip that part in your education as well?).