Challenge doesn’t build character - it reveals it

This week, The Washington Post dropped a fascinating nugget: college students are double-majoring at nearly twice the rate they did ten years ago. Why? In a shaky job market, students believe an extra major makes them more hireable and more layoff-proof if the economy decides to somersault - and the hiring/firing data says it’s true! 

But layer that with my recent reading of Range by David Epstein, and it’s got me thinking: maybe the magic isn’t in having two majors—it’s in the kind of person who chooses to pursue two different fields in the first place.

Because according to Epstein, the people who thrive (and are therefore hired first and fired last) in today’s upside-down, constantly shifting world are the generalists—the “range-y” humans who collect experiences, explore widely, and can think across disciplines. Not necessarily the ones with multiple framed diplomas…but the ones with curiosity, adaptability, and the willingness to try hard things.

And that brings me to the Army.

A Ranger Tab Doesn’t Make You. It Reveals You.

In the Army, one of the most respected badges a soldier can wear is the Ranger Tab. Ranger School is a three-phase gauntlet of exhaustion, grit, mud, teamwork, and “Why did I sign up for this again?” energy. Graduates know that for the rest of their careers, that Ranger tab on their shoulder effectively walks into the room before they do. It says something.

But here’s what most people get wrong:
Ranger School doesn’t create warriors of character. It reveals them.

You can tie every knot, ruck every mile, and ace every test—
but if your peers decide you’re a selfish jerk who can’t lead or be led, you’re out.

The tab isn’t about being good at Army skills. It’s a measure of personhood; grit, teamwork, resilience, integrity.

The tab speaks loudly because of what it uncovers, not what it creates.

So… Does Double-Majoring Make You “Better”?

Just like that Ranger Tab, a second degree doesn’t magically turn someone into a smarter, shinier human.

But the willingness to pursue two different areas of study?

That reveals something.

It reveals curiosity.
Breadth.
The ability to think, work, and create in complex, ever-shifting spaces.

That’s what today’s world needs—not narrow specialists who can only succeed when the rules stay the same (spoiler: they don’t). We need idea-pollinators, bridge-builders, creative problem-solvers.

And no, a second degree isn’t the only way to become one of those people.

Minors, certificates, side hobbies, YouTube rabbit holes, unexpected job detours—they all count. Because it’s your willingness to learn new things, try and fail, sign up, show up, work hard, stretch your mind and your shed your preconceived notions — revealing those aspects of your character are just as important as the new knowledge and experiences you gain in the process.

The takeaway is this:

It’s not about double-majoring in college—it’s about double-majoring in life.

The most interesting, creative, adaptable people today aren’t the ones who chose “the right path” straight out of high school. They’re the ones still learning, sampling, stretching, and trying new things decades later.

It’s the 20 year old who joins the inner tube water polo team.

It’s the 30 year old who plants a garden for the first time. 

It’s the mom picking up pottery at 40, the dad learning Spanish for fun at 50, the empty-nesting 60 year old taking a coding class, or the 70 year old starting a podcast.

Life is richer when we stay curious.

So yes—a big high five for the college kids who have the time and money to collect majors like Pokémon cards. But even more, cheer for the adults who refuse to stop learning long after the diploma is framed - whose actions reveal their character and how valuable they are in the world today.

Because in a world that won’t stop changing, having range isn’t just an advantage—it’s a superpower.