Are minors worth it?

[thex]

How valuable are minors when you apply for a job? Is it really worth it?

I find the Project Management, Global Politics, Finance and Philosophy minors very interesting. Can anyone shed light on these minors? For those of you who have these minors, can you say it was worth it?

[i_bleed_blue]

I took the project management minor under som. yes it was interesting, but not really related to what i do now. But it helps me a little. It's really some useful skills that help you in little ways. Nothing lifechanging, hahaha...

[Imperator_Rico]

Philo major here. a philo minor might not be the most marketable minor, but you'll certainly learn a lot. On the practical level, you'll learn two things: one, how to read and understand the most difficult thinkers in the world. If you can do that, you can basically read pretty much ANYTHING given enough time. Secondly, you'll learn how to communicate extremely complex ideas in a simple and understandable manner. You'll learn how to think more logically and to speak more clearly. You'll be able to read and understand the most difficult of tests. There's a reason why philo majors become kickass lawyers. Of course, philo majors don't just become lawyers- a lot of us become businessmen, artists, writers, researchers, etc. Interestingly enough, in the USA, Philo majors have the highest average GMAT scores which would be graduate school's equivalent to the SAT. I think from a career perspective, it would definitely make you into a more intelligent person. The skillset we develop in philosophy is something that's valuable in any occupation.

On a more "intellectual" level, it can make you into a better person. You'll learn to become a more reflective, thoughtful, and caring person. Might help you come to grips with the mysteries of life; it'll help you learn how to treat and care for other people. You'll be able to become more self-aware of your prejudices and assumed principles; and with that self-awareness comes the ability to become wiser. From an academic perspective, I would say that philosophy is one of the few courses that could legitimately make you into a better person haha.

Practically speaking, getting a philo major isn't too difficult. You'll only have to get 4 extra classes. And those classes are usually pretty fun/light/interesting.

[thex]

i_bleed_blue,

What do you actually learn from there? I love organizing events, and I'm thinking if this minor can help me improve on those skills.

Would you say that what you picked up in that minor was worth the cost? I really want to take a minor but I'm nahihiya na sa parents ko.. if I were to take a minor, I would want it to be worth the money.

[thex]

Rico,

Yup, I've come across people who took up Philo in the Ateneo, and I must say, their way of thinking is very interesting. It was what got me interested in the Philo minor. Thank you for your comprehensive answer! I actually chose Ateneo over UP for the Philo + Theo classes. I like the way that the Ateneo forms its students (or those willing to be formed) and it seems that the Philo minor "maximizes" that formation. Awesome.

[i_bleed_blue]

@thex

well, may mga tools and techniques kang magagamit in organizing events and handling projects... kahit mga day to day stuff mo, may makukuha kang tips how to manage your day... is it worth the money? well, if you use your electives well, 3 units lang naman ang iooverload mo, so i guess it is... depende kasi sa purpose mo eh... i suggest you consult the som department about it para matulungan ka rin nila magdiscern...

[viviblack]

Those minors seem far apart from each other in the spectrum, huh? What kind of job/s are you aiming for ba?

[nodakun21]

Uwaaaaa. I became interested bigla sa Philo minor. Btw. I'm an ECE student. Gusto ko sana Decision Science or Project Mgt (offered ba yun ng SOM to SOSE students?) But I dunno, I think I'm becoming interested in the Philo thinking. )) But hey, I haven't encountered any philo subject pa. ) So I'm still discerning. )

[redvillain]

Minors are helpful if you want to have a more direct focus, especially that Ateneo doesn't offer majors in Finance and Marketing. These minors provide you with additional knowledge that would be helpful when you look for a job in your chosen field. They become sort of your means to specialize on a given field.

However, if you're doing a minor in an unrelated subject, e.g. minor in Philo/Lit while majoring in Business, you're given the flexibility to enjoy, gain exposure in and appreciate other classes that would otherwise not be part of your learning.

[viral08]

Does anyone know where I can find a list of minors the Ateneo offers? So far, I've only found the minors JGSOM offers (http://www.ateneo.edu/som/programs/m...rs_index.htm); the requirements indicate that one should be in SOM to apply for them, unfortunate because I was actually interested in one of them but I'm from SOSE.

Right now, I'm interested in Japanese Studies since Japan is my father's homeland and I would like to learn more about that side of my heritage. But I want to see if there are other, more marketable minors that I could take that could help me in my future job. I'm an MIS major, by the way. And I couldn't find any minor that SOSE offers, if there even are any. I might just consult my department once classes start.