UW–Madison’s Taylor Odle, an assistant professor in the School of Education’s Department of Educational Policy Studies, was recently quoted in the Washington Post’s story, “More students are double-majoring out of fear they won’t be able to get jobs.”
The story discusses the rise of undergraduate students double-majoring to diversify their skillsets in the face of an ever-changing labor market. At UW–Madison, double-majoring has grown 25% over the past decade, according to data from the National Center for Education Statistics.
Additionally, earning certificates, also known as “stackable credentials,” is a national trend gaining momentum to showcase an individual’s ability to hold multiple perspectives and disciplines.
Odle notes practices like double-majoring make applicants stand out to employers. Students “are trying to emphasize their attractiveness in the labor market. They’re trying to cover their bases,” says Odle.