When preparing for the college journey, there are a number of critical decisions that need to be made, the most obvious being which college to attend. And maybe even of equal or greater importance to some is the age-old decision of the ever-coveted major. The major we choose is supposed to guide our future career path and open the academic door that will get us there, and many of us students think once we have picked that, we are set.

However, another comparably important decision students need to make is whether to declare a minor or not. It may seem like an added workload, but with minors requiring somewhere around 20 hours depending on the program, completing one is very doable for many students and it is also well worth it.

While many may disregard the benefits of declaring a minor, the truth is that having one can add a nice punch to your resume and enhance your overall academic experience. Regardless of what specific minor you choose, having one to add to your list of accomplishments demonstrates a careful amount of planning and care that went into your efforts as a student. Since we all know that choosing classes isn’t always easy, having a minor in which you carefully thought out your plan says a lot about your work ethic.

Not only does having a minor demonstrate a particular level of commitment and effort as a student, but it is also an excellent way to take classes that either accompany your major or allow you to explore other academic interests.

For instance, as a media and cinema studies major, I decided to pursue a minor in sociology because it allowed me to not only take classes in another area I was interested in, but it also allowed me to apply some of the content from my major. By pursuing the combination of my major and minor, I now have a unique knowledge base that allows me to more specifically understand mass media and its effect and relation to people, which is more applicable to the career path I want to head into.

My minor in sociology allowed me to better understand my major and apply some of the information I learned into my core classes. Had I not taken this minor, I would not have had such an expansive understanding of my major.

However, a minor can still be just as useful and worthwhile without specifically correlating with your major because of the additional knowledge and experience you will gain from it. Either way, pursuing a minor will broaden your skillset and allow you to be better-rounded after college.

And, chances are, the University provides something you will like — the options for minor programs are endless. With everything from astronomy to animal sciences, philosophy to French, or communication to computer science, there is something for everyone.

Nicki is a senior in Media. She can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @NickiHalenza.