Although Julien Hebert, a French and political sciencesophomore, is in the beginning of his core classes, hislong-standing interest in both subjects led him to pursue a doublemajor.
Hebert said he had a strong French background while growing upbecause his family came to the United States from France in the1980s. He hopes to utilize his French and practice lawoverseas.
“I grew up around [French influence] and wanted to continuelearning,” Hebert said.
Hebert said he chose French and political science as his majorsbecause many of his classes can apply to both majors, with Frenchcourses counting as electives for the political science major andsome political science classes going toward the electiverequirements for the French major.
Fleur Ferrara, a French and mass communication senior, said shechose her two majors because she feels having a second languagemakes job applicants more marketable because many Americans are notbilingual.
Ferrara also said some of her classes count for both of hermajors, but working out her schedule is a complex process.
Every semester, Ferrara meets with counselors in the ManshipSchool of Mass Communication, Department of French Studies, theCollege of Arts and Sciences and the Honors College to stay ontrack to graduate.
Ferrara said she will be in school an extra year and graduate inMay 2006 because she decided to double-major during her sophomoreyear.
She said it is important to see an adviser because some studentswho are double-majoring do not realize some colleges havespecifications to graduate, such as a regulation in the Departmentof French Studies that requires French majors to graduate in thespring semester.
Mary Feduccia, director of Career Services, also stressed howimportant it is for students with double-majors to consult with acounselor.
According to the Office of Budget and Planning’s fall 2004report of all official enrollment numbers, 824 undergraduatestudents who are enrolled in senior colleges at the University havea second major.
Feduccia said students considering a double major should examinehow advantageous a double major will be in meeting careergoals.
Not all students think the extra classes and time in college arenecessary.
“I just would not like to be in college for more than fouryears,” Noelle Dazzio, a sociology junior, said. “A lot of people Iknow are graduating in four years, and I do not want to be hereafter all my friends have graduated.”
The double major may not make a difference, Feduccia said.Students may find the job outlook is not as strong as theythought.
“It depends on what your career goals and aspirations are,”Kevin Mossholder, a management professor, said.
Mossholder said a double major might make sense if the majorsare applicable to each other. He said he has taught studentsinterested in law, and, depending on what kind of law they want topractice, a double-major of management and political science couldbe beneficial and allow students to see how a business is organizedfrom different angles.
“I think it shows a more well-rounded approach,” Eric Taylor, aphilosophy and sociology junior, said. “I don’t make all As, but[my majors] show I’m motivated.”