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Originally Posted by pdupiano /img/forum/go_quote.gif
I think its also important to realize that unless you go into specific majors-professions, you can pretty much do anything you want with your degrees/college education. The exceptions are of course:
Engineering
Architecture
Pre-Med/vet/law (just do something else as well as a back up)
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I'll agree with that to a certain extent. I graduated with a Bachelor's in Architecture and definitely branced out of the profession. I recently got a Master's in Higher Education and now work professionally in a small university.
As a person who works in the field, this is where I strongly urge students to use all available resources and becoming involved on campus, such as student clubs and organizations, student government association (SGA), leadership opportunities (becoming a Resident Assistant, Orientation Leader, Peer Mentor), etc. College is about strong academics, but it is also about gaining the soft skills that are not taught in the classrooms that are required later in life, as well as meeting people outside of your particular major, which may lead to networking opportunities after graduation. 80% of a college student's time is spent outside the classrooms, so one might as well use that time wisely.
It is true that most students who study in specialized fields like Architecture, Engineering, Pre-Med/Law, already know what they want to be. However, it doesn't hurt to branch out to different opportunities when it is so readily available on any college campus. I thought I wanted to become an Architect when I was an undergrad student, but after I graduated that was not the case. If I wasn't involved on my college campus, I would be stuck in a rut and would have never been able to change careers. I know a few friends who are miserable right now because the major they graduated with did not work out professionally, but it's the only thing they know how to do because they never took opportunities elsewhere when they were college students.
That said, most people tend to change careers once or twice in their lifetime... something to think about.
One more advice, for college applicants who are undecided on what major to pursue, apply to Liberal Arts colleges and be open to any interests or opportunities that may arise. It is not uncommon for students to declare their majors in their Sophomore or Junior years, and even transfer to more specialized colleges once they find out.
Good luck!
