| Getting into college is one thing; finding the right | | | | teacher . English majors, however, may find the job |
| major is quite another and, in some ways, just as | | | | market very tight and somewhat unappealing -- not |
| important. Modern college students seem to change | | | | as lucrative as a degree in business or computer |
| their career choices (the major) several times before | | | | science. |
| they finally pick one and hang with it long enough to | | | | Third, if you are unsure about your interests or your |
| graduate. | | | | true aptitudes, then you're in very good company. |
| So, there is no reason to be concerned or alarmed if | | | | Students are often discouraged from choosing a |
| you can't find the "perfect major" in your first | | | | career plan early in life because the "possibilities are |
| semester. You have time, but too much time can be | | | | endless." While that's true, it is also true that time and |
| expensive and wasteful. The sooner you get on the | | | | money is not inexhaustible. So, your college |
| right track, the sooner you will graduate and embark | | | | experience can be a laboratory in which you |
| on your career. | | | | experience many different subjects and practices. |
| Let's look at some of the considerations -- beyond | | | | Chances are that the people who interest you most |
| your interests, past successes and apparent talents | | | | are involved in the fields that will interest you most, |
| -- which should be your focus as you evaluate your | | | | too. Keep your eyes open and your choices flexible, |
| options. There is a wide variety of options from basic | | | | but not postpone your decision forever. |
| computer training, to a career as a paralegal, a | | | | Finally, no matter what your choice, remember that |
| degree in business administration or massage therapy | | | | you can always change your mind. Modern research |
| training. The successful search for a major will require | | | | tells us that most professionals will change the |
| research and serious self-evaluation, but the major | | | | companies for whom they work several times. In |
| that fits your lifestyle and your goals is out there, | | | | fact, today's college graduate may expect to change |
| waiting for you. | | | | careers more than once, as technology, society and |
| First, let's consider what interests you the most. Is it | | | | economies evolve. |
| money? Then some field that pays well will probably | | | | Don't worry about the competitive edge: today's |
| get your attention. Many students consider a | | | | graduates share the same disadvantage when it |
| pharmacy degree or a degree in psychology to be a | | | | comes to employability; they need experience. You |
| better career path for a money consideration. But | | | | can use your college days to get valuable experience |
| you may find that money is no substitute for other | | | | in part-time work, internships, cooperative education, |
| things in life: leisure time, challenge, travel, or family. | | | | and study abroad opportunities. Each of these |
| The quest for money may actually frustrate your | | | | activities could be the key to finding the career path |
| search for the things that please you most, or the | | | | that interest and excites you the most. |
| things that give your life a fulfilling meaning. You have | | | | You'll get second chances, of course. If you attend |
| to pretty honest with yourself. | | | | graduate school, for instance, your career may take |
| Second, you should be practical in your choice of | | | | a completely different direction. For the moment, |
| major. Ask yourself, "Why did I decide to go to | | | | your objective should be to learn as much as possible |
| college in the first place?" Then, plan your course of | | | | about your world and yourself. Although, it is never |
| study accordingly. If you are interested in acquiring | | | | too early to consider best graduate schools that are |
| knowledge and experience, then you may follow | | | | available in your chosen field of study. Once you |
| your primary interests into any field that attracts | | | | graduate, the world will get more complex, and the |
| you. A number of students are interested in helping | | | | price tag for study and learning will go up. |
| people so they become a dental hygienist, choose a | | | | Now is the best time to try as much as you can |
| career in criminal justice or a physical therapy degree. | | | | without wandering aimlessly toward the unknown |
| A college degree, no matter what the subject, can | | | | future. The odds are that your trip will not end |
| open many doors with many different labels. | | | | exactly as you imagine, but traveling with confidence |
| If you enjoy reading and writing, getting a degree in | | | | and an open mind will help you find pleasant traveling |
| English might be a logical choice for you. You may | | | | companions and take to you interesting places. Bon |
| want to be a educator and elect to become a | | | | Voyage! |