Choosing a major in college is supposed to be one of the more important decisions you make in your life. It dictates what you'll have the background knowledge to do as a career forever (unless, of course, you get a second degree, but most people seem to shudder at the thought - or the cost). So, after you've picked that major, you might feel a sigh of relief, like you've made it into the clear. Well, you haven't. You should also pick a minor to study, for so many reasons.

One of the more practical purposes of a minor is to complement your major. For example, I'm majoring in writing, but I also have a minor in psychology. That minor will make my education look like it fits a little more on an application for a lot of office jobs. It also gives me a better background for creative writing. It's a similar situation in every field. Even engineers can choose to minor in a separate engineering field, such as a mechanical engineer choosing to minor in electrical engineering. Or, for an example that works for everyone, think of choosing to minor in another language, like Spanish. That would most certainly make you more employable in virtually every job out there. Almost any student of any major can minor in any field, and choosing one that works well with your major just makes your education look better.

You could also choose a minor that doesn't exactly complement your major. Instead, that minor could diversify your education. If you want to look at psych as completely opposite from writing, then consider that it has the potential to open many other doors for me that I wouldn't otherwise have a chance at with a writing degree.

Along those same lines, a minor could be something to fall back on. If you start a minor in your freshman year, or even early in your sophomore year, and you decide that you don't like your major as much as you thought you would, you probably have time to change your minor to your major, since you're already taking the core classes in the discipline. Or, in another scenario, the major you choose may not provide the best job opportunities. Having a minor in a different field may open you up to other career possibilities in that field.

If none of those seem like good reasons to study a minor, then consider this one. Maybe you chose a major that you hope will result in a lucrative career, like business or computer science or engineering. But maybe you really love geology or writing or literature. Sure, those things might not make for a great career path, but if you're passionate about them, why leave them out? Choose to minor in one of those subjects as a way to nurture your passions and grow as a person, not just as a student or employee.

Fitting a minor into your individual curriculum can be difficult, or may seem impossible, but almost anyone can do it. Some programs even require a minor. It's an important part of a diverse education, and if you haven't chosen one yet, you should give it some thought.