Multiple college majors are latest weapon in tightening job market

Such eclectic academic tastes are increasingly evident this college graduation season as students seek extra credentials to help them compete in a tightening job market. U.S. Department of Education statistics show an 85% rise in the number of bachelor's degrees with double -- and the relatively rare triple -- majors over the last decade.

Some experts say the trend reflects a more complicated world that needs broad thinkers to solve society's problems.

But some describe it as another step in resume-building that has obsessed some young people since their high school honors courses.

Students think the double majors will distinguish them from the mob and appeal to graduate schools and potential employers. Remember Woody Allen's quip about bisexuality doubling your chances for a Saturday night date?

Clifford Adelman, a senior associate at the Institute for Higher Education Policy, a think tank based in Washington, D.C., said he sees more double majors but is not sure they help students in life other than allowing them to demonstrate ambition.

"These are signaling devices. And there is nothing wrong with signaling achievements," he said, adding that the increase also reflects colleges' marketing of the double-major option.

"We do see a trend," said Cheryl Beil, assistant vice president of academic planning at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., where about 16% of students tackle double majors.

"They are doing double majors to make sure they have all the skills they need to make themselves employable," Beil said. However, she said she questions whether it impresses employers as much as overall grades and abilities do.

Not surprisingly, plenty of double majors link allied topics, such as philosophy and political science. Others are less tidy packages, such as a recent art history and economics pairing at UCLA and dance and environmental science at Wesleyan University in Connecticut.