You’ve just graduated. Congratulate yourself on the enormous feat you’ve accomplished! We bet you’re eager to apply all that fresh knowledge to your first job. Listing your major and minor on your resume effectively draws attention to your specific training.
Majors and minors aren’t just for beginners, though. Experienced professionals can also benefit from including their majors and minors, especially if they’re still relevant to the specific job they’re targeting. Think of the major and minor as the theoretical foundation that gives you confidence in your practice.
This article will answer some of the most important questions regarding the topic, such as how to list your major and minor, do you even need a minor, how to describe a double major, as well as handy examples to use as templates.
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Privacy guaranteedIf you choose your minor to follow your personal interests rather than the focus of your major, it can still give you a competitive edge. Even if it’s unrelated to your major, it might still be worth listing on your resume. Exploring your hobbies or interests via your minor shows individuality.
If you’ve majored in something, that means you took extensive courses in that field and you gained in-depth knowledge on that specific subject. For example, a major in banking gives you a sufficient theoretical base. The major doesn’t automatically make you an investment banker, but gives you something to build upon with practice.
It happens — you can’t choose between two great options, or you’re one of those prodigies who are equally good at two things, and now you have a double major. A double major comes with its special benefits, such as:
And now for the practical part. How do you list a double major on your resume?
Put your primary major first, then your secondary major in the same line. If your majors relate to completely different fields, you can list them in two separate lines.
Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science: Major in Computer Science, Major in Mathematics Stanford University Stanford, CA Relevant Coursework: Algorithms, Data Structures, Discrete Mathematics, Linear Algebra RIGHTMinors are optional, but consider they could open many doors. Obtaining knowledge in a secondary discipline (a minor) makes you more attractive to recruiters. It shows your knowledge is diverse or more specialized and this could distinguish you from other candidates.
Should you always include your minor on your resume? Generally, you want to keep your resume clean and simple, including only information that adds value. So, keep these tips in mind:
Ultimately, you should decide whether the specific workplace will appreciate a minor, even if it’s not directly relevant to the job posting.
If you have multiple interests, and are eager to learn, you can end up with several minors in your arsenal. Additional knowledge can never be unwanted, but it’s great if you can strategically incorporate it on your resume. While several minors can make you a more well-rounded candidate, consider where your strenghts lie and what is the focus of the job you’re after.
Generally, include up to two minors on your resume. If you have more, pick the more relevant ones.
Let’s say you’ve completed a degree in Computer Science and have three minors in Mathematics, Data Science, and Music. However, when applying for jobs in IT, you stick to the minors more relevant to the field, like Mathematics and Data Science. The minor in Music, while valuable, is less directly applicable to his career goals in computer science and data analysis. However, if you apply for a job at Spotify, for example, you might reconsider and include the Music minor instead. It all depends on the specific requirements of the job you’re applying for, so tailor your resume accordingly.
Is there ever a good reason not to list your education on your resume? Probably not. Your degree(s) will always hold some significance and it’s great to see them listed on a resume, even if you obtained them a long time ago.
If your education is irrelevant to your desired position or you lack practical experience in your field of study:
If you have extensive experience:
As for how detailed your education section should be, well, after a certain point in your career, like your second or third serious position, consider only listing your major, without delving into GPA, coursework or additional activities. As a well established professional, you’ve probably collected much more impressive accomplishments than the ones you had in college.
Your major and minor go into the education section of your resume. That way, this important info can be easily seen and referenced.
When listing your degree, majors and minors:
Now let’s check out some examples.
Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science
Graduation year: 2020
Relevant Coursework: Data Structures, Algorithms, Machine Learning, Operating Systems
University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Minor in Business Administration
Graduation year: 2021
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Bachelor’s Degree in Economics: Major in Economics, Major in Political Science
Graduation year: 2018
GPA: 3.7 / 4.0
Relevant Coursework: Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, International Relations, Public Policy Analysis
These examples should cover the necessary formats for listing your major/minor and other educational details on a resume.
What you lack in experience, you can make up for in additional relevant information, such as projects, coursework, or extracurricular activities. These can all make you a more attractive candidate.
Here’s an example of adding relevant coursework to your education entry:
University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Minor in Business Administration
Graduation year: 2021
GPA: 3.8 / 4.0
Relevant Coursework: Completed courses on Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics, and Financial Management, integrating engineering principles with business acumen.
When listing your major and minor on a resume, it's important to tailor this information to align with industry expectations, as different sectors prioritize varying skill sets and educational backgrounds. For instance, technical fields such as engineering and information technology often value specialized knowledge directly tied to your major, while industries like business and marketing may appreciate a well-rounded academic profile that includes relevant minors. Give your resume the right nuance to enhance its impact.
For example, a major in Electrical Engineering with a minor in Computer Science can be particularly appealing for roles that require expertise in both hardware and software.
For instance, a major in Business Administration with a minor in Economics or Statistics can highlight your analytical skills and understanding of economic principles, which are valuable in many business roles.
For example, a major in Graphic Design with a minor in Marketing can demonstrate a well-rounded skill set that is valuable in roles requiring both creative and strategic thinking.
For example, a double major in Environmental Science and Computer Science can demonstrate a well-rounded skill set that is valuable in roles requiring both an understanding of environmental issues and the ability to develop and utilize computational tools for data analysis and problem-solving.
A major in Economics with a minor in Computer Science, for instance, can be very attractive in consulting roles that require both economic analysis and technical skills.
The decision to include your minor on your resume should be strategic, based on how well it aligns with the job and industry you're targeting. Always consider the specific requirements and expectations of the industry to ensure that your resume highlights the most pertinent qualifications and skills.
When listing your undergraduate degree, follow these straightforward steps:
Begin by listing the highest degree you own. If you have a bachelor’s and a master’s, list the master’s first, then the bachelor’s. It’s usually the most recent one, and you should list degrees in reverse chronological order. In the case of multiple degrees, you can include your highest degree only.
While minors don’t usually appear on your diploma, your college transcript lists it. Either way, if you have it and you think it’s relevant, list it on your resume.
BA stands for Bachelor of Arts, BS stands for Bachelor of Science.
You can, like so: James Smith, B.S. Consider it might be unnecessary to put your bachelor’s or master’s degree after your name, though. It might be perceived as smug. And while we’re sure you’ve put a lot of effort in your education, almost every candidate you’ll be competing with will have a bachelor’s or a master’s degree. Degrees like Ph.D. or MBA are less common and may have more impact when listed after your name.
Your resume should focus on your higher education, but if you’re a recent graduate or still haven’t graduated, and you’re now writing your first resume, you can list your high school diploma/GCSEs, too.
Before you do, consider the following: were you a part of the dean’s list consistently and is the institution you attended prestigious enough? If not, being on the dean’s list might not have as much value or be seen as redundant information.
Now you know how to list a major and a minor in your resume. Here are the key tips you could use to make your resume stand out, even when you have little to no experience:
