How useful is a minor?

kjamesuvic · May 2, 2011

I'm currently in 3rd year doing a BSc in Econ with a minor in Finance. Would it be useful to also get a business minor as well? Some things to consider:

1. I am starting the CFA program in 4th year
2. In order to get the business minor I would have to take an extra class.
3. This class would cost ~$650, and would be taken along with my 4th year core.
4. I work about 20 hours a week while going to school.

Given the circumstances, do you think I should just say ******* and stick with what I have so far, or put in the extra work and money to get the minor? How beneficial is it to have that on the resume?

bringusingoodale · May 2, 2011

Ask your adviser. I can't answer this question, but I remember hearing friends in college in somewhat a similar situation as you get told straight by their adviser that a minor is not an option for a 3rd year student. I think minors require more than one class, usually some 20 units or something or more, from what I remeber.

JayJay · May 2, 2011

You're already getting a Finance minor. That's a field within business; thus, you're getting a business minor already.

aravenel · May 2, 2011

Originally Posted by JayJay

You're already getting a Finance minor. That's a field within business; thus, you're getting a business minor already.

+1. I don't think you're going to get much out of a single business class that is going to give you an advantage in the job market that the Econ/Finance track isn't also going to give you.

kjamesuvic · May 2, 2011

Originally Posted by bringusingoodale

Ask your adviser. I can't answer this question, but I remember hearing friends in college in somewhat a similar situation as you get told straight by their adviser that a minor is not an option for a 3rd year student. I think minors require more than one class, usually some 20 units or something or more, from what I remeber.

I've already completed 5/6 courses for the business minor and would just need this single one to get it.

AxlJack · May 2, 2011

You're taking your CFA, so I'm assuming you're interested in the IB industry. The 650 bucks you spend compared to the relative value you get from saying its a finance minor to a business minor is not worth it (Adding it to your resume worth ------> -$650 - Time spent on course work - Balancing your work and school + Educational benefit...no real employer benefit). If really interested in assumed industry I would say save that money, get in touch with alumnis who work in your interested industry, fly to New York (use it here for flight and stay) to meet them and sell yourself as a potential candidate.

O ya and do this as soon as you can before their recruitment drive ends at the start of Fall for Senior college kids

Don Carlos · May 4, 2011

No one in the professional world will care what your minor was. Many schools don't even have minors, which should give you an indication of their importance in the grand scheme of things.

Just pick a minor in which you think you'll learn useful information. Don't pick it for the perception of its value as a credential. Finance is a decent minor if it's not your major, because you'll really want to learn the basics of finance at some point or another. Especially for your intended career path. I think you're fine with what you've got.

pkblaze100 · Jun 2, 2011

Skip the minor UNLESS you still want to interview. They can come in useful at times on interviews as part of your story/package, though a finance major with a business minor doesn't add that much

bingebag · Jun 3, 2011

Minors are essentially worthless. Act accordingly.

Johdus Fanfoozal · Jun 3, 2011

Double major > 2+ minors

Solid internships > double major

munchausen · Jun 3, 2011

Minors are very useful. The cops are less likely to bust them and if they do, they aren't going to prison so they are less likely to flip on you.

45elkton · Jun 3, 2011

Originally Posted by AxlJack

You're taking your CFA, so I'm assuming you're interested in the IB industry. The 650 bucks you spend compared to the relative value you get from saying its a finance minor to a business minor is not worth it (Adding it to your resume worth ------> -$650 - Time spent on course work - Balancing your work and school + Educational benefit...no real employer benefit). If really interested in assumed industry I would say save that money, get in touch with alumnis who work in your interested industry, fly to New York (use it here for flight and stay) to meet them and sell yourself as a potential candidate.

O ya and do this as soon as you can before their recruitment drive ends at the start of Fall for Senior college kids

CFA isn't all that useful for IB, other than demonstrating you are dedicated and driven. More applicable for portfolio management, investment analysis/valuation, credit analysis, etc.

RedLantern · Jun 3, 2011

there is no "market value" to a minor, except for maybe a language, if in fact you learned to speak a marketable language well.

However, the things you learn by taking classes in a minor can be useful in many ways, for example, a minor in english wont get you a job, but being able to write well will help your career.

bingebag · Jun 3, 2011

Originally Posted by Johdus Fanfoozal

Double major > 2+ minors

Solid internships > double major

Agreed.

linds_15 · Jun 3, 2011

my program doesnt even let us minor in anything, we cant achieve the right amount of credits because of our degree requirements, and its a reputable school so i dont think its all that important

How useful is a minor?

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