Gen Z college students have found a new cheat code to land them an AI-proof job: double majoring | Fortune

"Beyond the academic clout and a relatively small income boost, double majoring can offer a significant shield against economic volatility. According to a study from the National Bureau of Economic Research, students with two majors are far more insulated from pay cuts or job losses than those who studied a single subject. In fact, double majors experience a 56% reduced impact from income shocks."

""The biggest return to being a double major isn't in terms of having higher earnings," said study co-author Bruce Weinberg, a professor of economics at Ohio State University. "It's in the form of having greater protection for whatever earnings you have." This protection is vital at a time when companies are reassessing their talent pipelines in the wake of AI and, in some cases, letting Gen Z talent go just months after hiring them."

"At the University of Wisconsin-Madison, some 30% of graduates majored in two or more areas. In the 2023-2024 academic year, 201 graduates double majored in computer science and data science-the most popular combination by more than twice as any other. "Students view the double major in computer sciences and data science as an opportunity to maximize their college experience and optimize their preparation for career paths in tech," wrote Steve Wright, the school's computer sciences department chair."

Double majoring has surged at many colleges, with increases such as 591% at Drexel, 334% at Harvard, and 169% at UC-San Diego. Students with two majors gain only a relatively small earnings boost but receive far greater insulation from pay cuts or job losses, experiencing a 56% reduced impact from income shocks. The primary benefit of double majoring is enhanced economic protection rather than markedly higher wages. Universities report high rates of dual majors; at one campus 30% of graduates had multiple majors and computer science paired with data science was the most common combination. Demand for data scientists is expected to grow significantly.

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