External Majors equivalent to Internal Majors?

[ReVeL]

I have a friend who's doing Arts at Melbourne and looking at doing a major in Economics, which is possible to do within the Melbourne Model [8 subjects taken as breadth can fulfill the economics major requirement]. My question is, in terms of employability in the job market after leaving uni, is a major taken outside your course equivalent to a major taken within your course? For example, would my friend be at a disadvantage to someone doing Commerce and majoring in Economics, holding all else equal?

Hopefully I've made myself clear, and any responses would be appreciated. Thanks!

[run-bandit]

Very, very good question.

I would also like to know this.

Futhermore, are the terms 'major' and 'minor' well defined or specific to individual institutions.

Can ReVeL's question be applicable to minors too?

[Pappa-Bohr]

employers don't just look at what 'major' you did, they look at the individual subjects, i.e. they do not necessarily view two people with a B.Com (majoring in economics) as 'equivalent', they will look at the subjects each individual did (and their respective grades).

[ReVeL]

Ok fair enough. But holding grades and subjects (assume both students did the bare minimum subjects to major in eco) equal, then what?

[run-bandit]

employers don't just look at what 'major' you did, they look at the individual subjects, i.e. they do not necessarily view two people with a B.Com (majoring in economics) as 'equivalent', they will look at the subjects each individual did (and their respective grades).

They actually look at the subjects?

Do they properly consider this and all the implications (even electives in non melb model courses) or just give it a cursory glance for distinguishing on the spot between candidates?