Choosing a major can be tough. Maybe you have multiple interests, or maybe you just have no idea what you want to study or what you want to do with your life at all. Relatable. When I was a freshman, I was pretty clueless. My indecisiveness actually led me to picking two majors, which was perfect given the requirements of the human rights program.
In order to complete a major in human rights at UConn, an undergraduate must complete either a primary major in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences or an additional degree program in a different UConn School (School of Business, CAHNR, etc.) But besides receiving a more holistic education, there are many benefits to taking this educational path. Here are some advantages of double majoring in human rights.
- Potential for tuition reduction
Everyone loves to save money, right? When you’re an out of state student at UConn, tuition can be a bit pricey. All New England residents (outside of Connecticut) should look into the New England Regional Student Program. If you are a legal resident of a New England state, and your state university does not offer a specific degree program, you could be provided with a tuition reduction if you choose to pursue said degree program at UConn. Many New England state universities do not offer a human rights degree program, so double majoring in human rights could be an excellent financial decision for some students. As of right now, eligible state residents include residents of Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. One of the best decisions I made in college was double majoring in Human Rights, as I was able to save thousands of dollars through this program.
- Receive mentoring from academic advisor
Truthfully, there are a smaller number of students studying human rights in comparison to different majors that are offered at UConn. However, this can provide a unique advantage for those who choose to undertake this major. Human rights majors will be able to connect with the staff at the Human Rights Institute and create a lasting connection with their advisor. Think about this, if your advisor sees over 200 students in a semester, it is a lot harder for your advisor to remember you. Since the human rights advisors oversee fewer students, they will have a better understanding of who you are as a person, and will be able to tailor their advising to your individual goals.
- Experiential learning
In order to fulfill a human rights major or minor, students must participate in experiential learning. For human rights majors, there are two options: complete a senior thesis or internship.
Experiential learning is a great way for students to get hands-on experience in the field, which can be highlighted on their résumé or in a job interview. The Human Rights Institute even provides some students with financial assistance if they choose to complete their capstone during the summer through an internship.
- Offer a unique perspective in the job market
Given that it is fairly uncommon for a candidate to have majored in human rights, you should see this major as an opportunity to set yourself apart from other candidates in the hiring process. A common interview question that undergraduate candidates are asked is, “why did you pick your school or major?” For human rights majors, this particular question could lead to a very interesting conversation with a recruiter or hiring manager.
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