| The month of May is the time of year when | | | | mark the way they did, the university that you |
| thousands of college graduates will receive their | | | | briefly attend may give you an "honorary" degree. |
| degrees and head into "the real world." Studies have | | | | 2. Are you doing what YOU want? Or what someone |
| shown that most of these graduates will find work in | | | | wants you to do? |
| fields that are not directly related to their | | | | Every semester I hear my students say, "I'm here |
| undergraduate program of study. | | | | because my parents say I have to be." Good college |
| This is information that those who are at the | | | | professors can always tell when that's the case. |
| beginning of their undergraduate studies should pay | | | | Great college professors inspire students to find their |
| close attention to when considering their choice of | | | | own motivation and career paths. If you don't |
| major. | | | | choose a path that corresponds with your values, |
| While there has been much said (and written) about | | | | interests, and motivations, it's very unlikely that you |
| the process of choosing a major, this article is an | | | | will succeed and/or find fulfillment in your vocational |
| attempt to simplify that process and put the focus | | | | endeavors once you graduate. |
| on what should be the primary concerns of those | | | | 3. Have you thoroughly researched your major? |
| who have yet to select a major, or enroll in college, | | | | Most students don't. Most people put more thought |
| by posing the following questions: | | | | and research into buying their first car or renting their |
| 1. Is college right for you? | | | | first apartment. Researching your career means |
| As simple (and to some, absurd) as this may sound, | | | | getting as much information on your career choice as |
| you should honestly - and carefully - evaluate | | | | possible including employment forecast, job |
| whether college is right for you in terms of the | | | | prospectus, and salary range. In addition to getting |
| investment of money, expenditure of time, and use | | | | real-life exposure to the industry and professionals |
| of energy that it will inevitably cost. | | | | that comprise it. Proper research should take 6 |
| I need to make one thing abundantly clear with this | | | | months to a year at the very least. |
| question: I'm not advocating not going to college. I'm | | | | 4. Do you know your core competency? |
| advocating the analyzation of career options which | | | | It's estimated that most people will change careers |
| may not entail a college education, or obtaining a | | | | four or five times over the course of their lives. |
| college degree. Some may fair better attending a | | | | Students who choose a major that speaks to their |
| vocational school, obtaining a certificate in a niche | | | | core competency (a deep proficiency that enables a |
| area, or undergoing specific job related training. For | | | | person to deliver unique value to others), tend to be |
| example: Air traffic controllers make over $100,000 in | | | | happier in the long term with their career choices. |
| some cities and their job does not require a college | | | | The best way to determine your core competency |
| degree; but it does require extensive training. | | | | is to closely examine your passions, and closely |
| Many of our nation's top companies were started by | | | | match them against the professions which hold the |
| those who did not have college degrees including | | | | strongest appeal to you. |
| Microsoft founder Bill Gates, Oracle CEO Larry Ellison, | | | | 5. What do you love enough to do for free? |
| Founder of Dell Computers, Michael Dell, and | | | | This is perhaps the best question I pose to my |
| entertainment moguls David Geffen and Sean "Diddy" | | | | students. Researchers say that the number one |
| Combs. All possessed uncanny skill, talent, and vision | | | | factor in developing expertise and prominence is |
| and were en route to millionaire/billionaire status by | | | | purposeful engagement. That is found through having |
| 19. | | | | intense interest in something that your passions allow |
| Do you have what they had: an idea or a belief in an | | | | you to fully immerse yourself in. Larry Ellison, Bill |
| idea? Extreme focus and discipline in developing your | | | | Gates, and Michael Dell serve as shining examples. |
| idea so that it can blossom into a real business | | | | They took the motto "Do what you love" to heart |
| opportunity? An opportunity that others would be | | | | and made a fortune. The money was the byproduct; |
| willing to contribute to or pay to help develop? An | | | | not the goal. |
| opportunity that solves problems for consumers? | | | | Hopefully your choice of a college major will be |
| With modest financing, you too could be on your | | | | contemplated with significance. After all, it's not just |
| way to millionaire/billionaire status. And like those | | | | your degree we are discussing, it's your life. |
| above, if you drop out of college and make your | | | | |