Okay, the debate is going to be settled: why are minors important? No, not the people underground and, no, not the people under 18. I mean, why are minors in undergraduate studies important? Coming into college, adding a minor to your degree plan doesn’t pique many people’s interest. It seems like it has no purpose at a glance, but you’d be sadly mistaken. Minors are the doorway into your future. They help you select specificities in your education that you wish to pursue long-term.
In fact, Doctor Victor DiFate of the Philosophy Department said it best, “There are a number of reasons to get a minor. The most obvious is that the disciplines aren’t so starkly separated. You ARE your mind, so why wouldn’t you want to broaden your ways of thinking?” And that is exactly right; why stop yourself from learning more?
Thinking about life post-undergraduate as a freshman—or even senior—can be massively stressful. But having a taste of differing perspectives can make that transition less frightening. Dr. Di Fate added, “You’re also going to need something to say in life, including at your job. Knowing more makes you more appealing to employers; knowing less absolutely never does.” As someone who dabbles in all aspects of education, I can say confidently adding minors to my degree plan has drastically improved my critical thinking skills for all lines of work. For example, the way you study for a Biology exam and the way you write/edit an essay are entirely different, but necessary to understand how to do it. It is nice to exercise these skills each semester, even if it means taking a few more classes.
Dr. Di Fate closed by stating, “It’s the students with breadth who are going places— the ones who can tolerate being generally educated. Almost nothing displays that better than a minor.” So, do not wait. If you are interested in something, even if slightly, pursue it. It could lead you to a future you never expected.For more information regarding a minor, contact your advisor(s) on BadgerWeb. This can be found under the ‘Academic’ category in the top column. Email department chairs if a specific field catches your eye.
