College Degrees For Passion or Work?

Very often now, we hear the question what do I do now that I graduated? Let’s take a step back and avoid having to ask this question. Bachelor’s degrees are a dime a dozen and if you don’t have a degree in a relevant field with high employment potential you may find yourself on the unemployment line. I am not insinuating  that you shouldn’t follow your passions; I’m suggesting you be realistic. There are options that allow you to have your cake and eat it too! Just because you enjoy studying something doesn’t mean there is a career in it. Be wise in choosing your major; research industry trends, growth, employment, and capacity. If your major can lead to a well-paid job, you can focus on your passions without struggling with your finances. Keep in mind, you will have to stick it out, working in the industry of your major, for a while before you can branch off and pursue your own thing. Having the right major isn’t enough; you need to be proactive in building skillsets to make you marketable once you graduate. Aside from the obvious “get good grades”,  you should also apply for as many internships as possible during your undergrad days. Join professional societies and get connected with future employers. Let’s face it – it’s easier for your resume to move to the top of the candidate pool when you know someone (unless of course you’re ivy league educated with a perfect gpa). The exposure you have via internships and societies will also benefit you in the sense that you learn different company cultures. Learning the culture is important to you because now you know where you fit and which company you should tailor your goals towards; making you more marketable to the company of your choosing. All of these steps are important to land the ideal job after graduation. And in the end, if your passions are still strong, you will have more means (ah-hem income) to live them.