“Get Two Degrees for the Price of One”: Career Orientations and Choices of Double-Degree Students

Abstract

Double degrees have been identified in universities around the globe. The Colombian double degree is a local hybrid of the American double major and the local profession-enabling pregrado that universities, particularly elite private ones, marketize in a context of mass higher education, devaluation of first university degrees and a weak economy ensuing from social conflict. Through a narrative approach, we found that students learn to pursue two degrees to: maximize their investment in education; seek future job security; reduce their angst about survival given the low value of university credentials; and gain recognition from peers and family members. Choosing two degrees also maximizes their opportunities for preparing themselves to serve others; allows them to pursue intellectual development and to satisfy their curiosity. The main trend found is that of students led by a consumerist orientation privileged over an educational rationale. We argue that the superimposition of consumerist orientations over self-cultivation motives may occur in the context of implementation of new programs such as double degrees, implemented by universities under a market logic.

Exploring the differences among motivations, advantages and disadvantages of multiple majoring by student characteristics

“…, 2022). One recent study on the double major experience in Colombia found that students derive motivation to pursue multiple majors from a variety of sources, including job security, personal intellectual development and maximization of one's educational investment (Pineda et al. , 2022).…”

“…During phase one of the larger research project, participants shared their academic experiences, resulting in the definition of themes related to multiple major motivations, advantages, disadvantages and awareness (Grabsch et al, 2022). One recent study on the double major experience in Colombia found that students derive motivation to pursue multiple majors from a variety of sources, including job security, personal intellectual development and maximization of one's educational investment (Pineda et al, 2022). By the same token, participants in a study on the Australian dual degree experience viewed their multiple majors as an advantage in terms of securing employment after graduation (Wimshurst and Manning, 2017).…”

Career Orientations of Foreign Students in the Context of Changesin the Modern Labor Market

“…За допомогою наративного підходу було виявлено, що студенти здобувають два ступені, щоб максимізувати свої інвестиції в освіту, шукати майбутню гарантію роботи, з огляду на низьку цінність університетських повноважень і отримати визнання з боку однолітків і членів родини. Основний висновок полягає в тому, що студенти здобувають два ступені переважно через споживацькі орієнтації, які мають перевагу над освітнім обґрунтуванням [18].…”