| Most colleges offer the same wide range of degrees | | | | state universities that are chosen for their location, |
| to choose from. This doesn't mean that you can | | | | rather than the quality of a specific degree program. |
| simply pick any college that offers the degree you | | | | They might change their major several times before |
| want. If you want to stand out from the crowd | | | | making a final decision. And even then, they might |
| when you enter your chosen career, it would be | | | | not have any clue what they want to do when they |
| wise to attend a college that is well known for | | | | grow up. |
| excellence in that particular degree program. | | | | Because students in this situation end up foregoing |
| A College's Reputation Matters. Many schools have a | | | | the advantage a great degree program can offer, |
| specialty. They might be nationally known for an | | | | the result is often a weak start to their career. |
| excellent engineering program, or have received | | | | Usually indecisiveness can be fixed if the students do |
| recognition for their journalism degree. When a school | | | | a little research into careers that interest them. For |
| has a reputation like this, everyone in the field has | | | | students who are transitioning directly to college |
| usually heard of them. Whether they are students, | | | | from high school, most public schools have access to |
| teachers, or employers, they all have some | | | | excellent resources, including information on the |
| knowledge about the college and its reputation. | | | | different careers and literature on colleges nationwide. |
| This benefits you by helping you get a leg up, so to | | | | Even returning students can find plenty of resources |
| speak. Let's pretend you want to be an engineer. If | | | | to help them make their decision. The U.S. Bureau of |
| you attend Colorado's School of Mines, which is well | | | | Labor provides descriptions and statistics for all |
| known as a top-notch engineering program, you are | | | | different types of jobs in their Occupational Outlook |
| guaranteeing that pretty much every employer in the | | | | Handbook, available at bureau's home page on the |
| region will instantly assume you really know your | | | | web. Googling prospective careers and visiting |
| stuff. | | | | workplaces to see what people in those careers |
| Many students enter college without really having a | | | | actually do all day are also good ideas. |
| clue what they want to do when they grow up. | | | | Once you have done your research and chosen a |
| Although high school guidance counselors usually say | | | | career, you can begin to look at colleges. Remember, |
| that this is fine, encouraging students to go to | | | | you want a school that will provide you with a |
| college now and decide what you want to do later, | | | | high-quality education in your chosen field. The point is |
| indecisiveness now can cost you a persuasive | | | | to be able to beat out the competition when you |
| resume later on. | | | | enter the job force after graduation. And with the |
| Oftentimes, students with undecided majors attend | | | | right education from the right school, you will. |