I’m a junior transfer student. I’m a philosophy major struggling with career aspirations-I’m likely going to graduate school (potentially with an eye towards journalism) or law school. I could easily graduate in the next two years with just a philosophy degree and have a light academic workload. However, I’m concerned about my major’s ability to result in internships and future job prospects. I’ve taken a couple political science classes with an eye towards declaring a double major.
The problem is that adding political science at my UC is incredibly difficult, especially as a transfer. I’m getting discouraged by the requirements, which involve a lot of petitions, fighting for crowded classes, and it’s compounded by my own uncertainty about whether I really need this extra degree.
My question is, what to you is the value of a political science degree beyond college? Is it worth fighting for and potentially spending another year in school on? Or do you recommend I stick with philosophy (or add an easier double major, like communications).
Thanks guys.
the value of a 2nd major in the liberal arts is small. Nor does a liberal arts major, or two liberal-arts majors, deliver internships. If you were in something like engineering or accounting it would be a different story, but not so for the liberal arts.
What is going to make a difference in your future are internships and other involvements. You should already be a member of some career-related clubs that interest you. It isn’t that they look so impressive on a resume, its that they let you meet other kids with similar interests and you can see how those ahead of you found internships and the like.
If you are interested in journalism you should already be involved with media at your school; typically they take all comers. You are a much stronger applicant for media positions in your community if you have some campus experience. If you are interested in law school then grades are paramount, as is the ability to write well (something I’m sure you get plenty of practice with in your major).
After transfer, you will probably take about half of your course work as upper division courses in your major. Assuming that your lower division and general education course work is complete before transfer, that should leave some space for electives in political science, communications, etc. according to your interest.
A course in statistics will be generally helpful.
Strong logical thinking skills will also be beneficial on the LSAT and in law school; your philosophy major courses should be helpful in practicing that.
Thanks mikemac for a really thorough answer. Definitely food for thought. I do currently write for my school newspaper so I think that goes along with what you said.