Double major in Spanish?

[Anonymous]

What do you all think of the value of adding Spanish as a double major?
My son is a student at a lower Ivy. Wants to add Spanish as a second major to Applied math as major #1 as he just really enjoys it.
It will take a decent amount of work to fit it all in.
Thoughts on the value add or lack thereof?

[Anonymous]

I don’t think there much value added, unless he decides he hates the math stuff and just wants to teach Spanish. (The schools are always short on Spanish teachers!). I think kids always overestimate the value of extra majors or minors. But if he loves it, he should take the classes.

[Anonymous]

If he likes it, he should go for it. A language is a very typical second major, and this could be useful for professional or even just personal reasons. It seems like a nice supplement to applied math.

[Anonymous]

Obviously majoring in Spanish creates an opportunity to engage with:

Latin America
Spain
Latin American Immigrant communities in USA.


What about Spanish interests him?

[Anonymous]

Absolutely. My DC was STEM and language.
Upper level Spanish includes exploration of the history, literature, politics and culture. He’s likely not getting that in Math. Plus he’ll meet different kinds of people etc. Go for it!

[Anonymous]

Very little use.

Being fluent in Spanish can be very useful (vital to not at all, depending on the job), but this is indicated on resume under languages. If you have "Spanish, native fluency" or "Fluent in Spanish" on your resume it can be useful (or not). A double major in Spanish is meaningless.

I think it's an interesting subject, but won't matter for most jobs. To be honest, an English or Phil double major would be more interesting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think there much value added, unless he decides he hates the math stuff and just wants to teach Spanish. (The schools are always short on Spanish teachers!). I think kids always overestimate the value of extra majors or minors. But if he loves it, he should take the classes.

Such a narrow-minded response on many levels. First of all, a student who double majors in a math/science field and a humanities field demonstrates intellectual curiosity and breadth, along with some very useful skills. Second, having a Spanish major opens many doors locally and internatiomally beyond being a Spanish teacher (although I agree that Spanish teachers are in demand.)

[Anonymous]

I had a French second major because with my AP credit and language aptitude it was easy to do. I wouldn't do it if it means delaying graduation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Obviously majoring in Spanish creates an opportunity to engage with:

Latin America
Spain
Latin American Immigrant communities in USA.


What about Spanish interests him?

He just loves the language/culture and foreign language comes very easily to him. The classes don't feel like classes.

[Anonymous]

I did it, as a political science major. It was a subject that interest me and it was only a couple of extra classes so it wasn’t too hard to do.

He could try to go for it and then if it ever becomes really cumbersome, he could stop or go for a minor instead

As far as help, it improved my Spanish, but I still don’t sound like a native speaker. But I learned great things about poetry, culture in history of Latin America and Spain.

Also in my Fortine 500 company I had to work with the Caribbean in Latin America office on a project that’s spanned a few years, and having that background was very helpful. Even wound up going on a business trip to South America and it was a good background to have.

[Anonymous]

It would be useful if he was pre-health or interested in some career that works with Hispanic populations (some pre-law, etc). I see less applicability to math-degree careers, but maybe. But “just because he likes it” is fine if it doesn’t negatively impact his primary major.

Is a minor an option?

[Anonymous]

As an interest it seems great.

As a part of a resume, it seems bad. Like you're not focused. I'm overstating it, but it's not a clear positive. So why get the major?

[Anonymous]

If he really enjoys Spanish it will nicely balance out his other major.

It's hard to prove that most of college gives you specific knowledge that has economic value. It's a signaling criterion and a self-development process.

A language major often encompasses history, political science, and literature coursework. Therefore to me, it's not better or worse than those other majors.

I know someone who met his wife in Italian 101 when he was in grad school getting a Master's in Civil Engineering.

You never know what serendipity may bring. Being open to it is a good thing.

[Anonymous]

Useless as a major. Language skills can be useful generally, but not as an academic qualification unless teaching is an ambition.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Obviously majoring in Spanish creates an opportunity to engage with:

Latin America
Spain
Latin American Immigrant communities in USA.


What about Spanish interests him?

He just loves the language/culture and foreign language comes very easily to him. The classes don't feel like classes.

Then I vote yes! DCUM is awful ... I can't believe people are telling you it doesn't add value. It's adding value to his brain and his quality of life!