The Science Of Psychology: Fill & Download for Free

I found it a great school. Granted, it’s been over a decade since I last studied there, but I found it a wonderful school. So much so that I went back when I needed more education. Twice! I was a bit unhappy when I first started there not to be able to go to West Lafayette for my Psych degree, BUT… Once I got there, I was quite glad, for a number of reasons.1) it is ridiculous how much more tuition at the main campus (either Purdue or IU) is. I saved a fortune and, with two Bachelors and an associate, managed to pay off my student loans in my 20s. My cousin who went to Kent State and my sister who went to Ball State are both in their 40s and still paying on theirs2) despite the dorms, it’s a commuter campus, so you don’t have to live on campus, or in cheap boarding houses on the fringes of campus with dozens of other students. You can find a quiet house or apartment nearby and still get to class without any major fuss or hassle.3) it’s not a college town. there are things to do not geared at 18–22 year olds as interested in drinking and partying as they are in their studies. When I last lived there, Fort Wayne had an art museum, science museum, GORGEOUS botanical garden, decent night-life, big mall, etc … you don’t often find all of these in college towns. being within driving distance of both Chicago and Indy is also nice4) from talking to people who went to larger schools, I found I got a lot more personal attention from my professors. because they weren’t teaching a dozen-plus classes each with 200+ students, they actually had time for us. My senior year in psychology, I literally spent more time with my thesis advisor than I did with the parents I lived with, lol, and he was not the only psych professor I worked closely with over the years. When I studied anthropology there a few years later, I was on a first name basis with many of my professors and they made an effort to socialize with us5) my degrees say “Purdue University” or “Indiana University”, not “crappy little commuter college in Fort Wayne” because they came from Purdue and IU respectively. The admission standards may be different (I’m not honestly sure), but the academic standards are the same as they would be at the mother campus. Most employers will look at your degree and see the mother university, not think less of it because it came from a satellite6) related to point 4, but coming at it from a word-study angle: I actually got a chance to practice field-related skills WITH PhDs in the fields. My psychology professors actually taught me how to design and conduct a study, how to research data, how to analyze statistics, etc. My Anthropology professors (my specialization was archaeology) actually brought us out into the field for 8 weeks of actual archaeological work (from shovel probing, to how to use GPR, to actually conducting a full dig on a site that would later house a museum containing artifacts and human remains we found). If you are properly motivated and open, the professors will be with you every step of the way as you learn to actually apply the things you’ve learned. From talking to others, many schools just cram information down your throat and cut you loose. Experience is more helpful. It looks good on a resume, it makes you feel more confident when you get out there and start doing your thing independently, and it starts you off networking earlyand this has turned into a text wall. if you couldn’t tell, I consider IPFW to be an excellent school. some campuses will be better for some programs and interests than others (if the world expert on the field your interested in is at another campus, go there — but realize that IPFW has experts, too. some of the profs there when I attended were only there because they’d worked at bigger campuses and not liked the atmosphere), so definitely do your research, but don’t dismiss IPFW out of hand just because it’s a satellite. It’s a really great school where you will learn a lot and make some amazing friendsand, of course, go ‘Dons!

5 Ways to Find Career IdeasMany high school students feel that they need to have their whole lives planned out before graduation. That’s a lot of pressure to take on, and it really isn’t practical because your goals and desires change over time. At this point, the best way to prepare for the process of career planning is to take some steps to get to know more about yourself.Start by considering your options. You can take many paths, and you may discover new talents and passions in the process of exploring. The quick exercises below can help lead you in the right direction.1. Think About What You LoveWhat classes have you found especially inspiring? What activities keep you so absorbed that you don't even notice how much time has passed? Listing 10 things you love can help reveal possible paths.Can you make connections between elements on your list? Are a group of items related to the arts or social activities or technology? What can you build by combining your passions?Many people work in a few different jobs before choosing a career path.2. Identify Defining ExperiencesThink about three experiences that taught you something about yourself. Choose the one that gave you the greatest sense of satisfaction and write a sentence that explains why that was so. If you can pinpoint what makes you happy, you can aim toward a career that will provide those types of experiences.3. Create a Self-PortraitAre you friendly, creative, impatient, funny, organized? Try writing down a list of 10 qualities you feel describe your personality. Ask your friends and family to name some of your qualities — sometimes other people see us more clearly than we see ourselves. Add their suggestions to your list. Now think about what sort of career fits the person your list describes.4. Consider Your Strengths and WeaknessesMake a list of your five top strengths and weaknesses. What sorts of employers would be interested in your strengths? If you’re a good public speaker, for example, explore what types of careers call for that skill.Your weaknesses can also tell you a lot about where you might go. You can either steer away from careers that require skills you’re not confident about or work to improve weaknesses that may keep you from your goals.5. Explore CareersWhat do actuaries or archaeologists really do? What sorts of opportunities will there be in the future for architects or art directors? Imagine yourself in different roles as you explore Major and Career Search. You can find information on more than 300 careers here, which range from air traffic controller to wildlife technician.Remember, even if you know someone who has been planning to be a doctor since the age of seven, most young people don’t know what they want to do or be. Many adults actually work in a few different jobs before selecting a career path. You have time to get to know yourself and find a career that suits you.3 Advisor Recommended Career Aptitude AssessmentsPosted by IPFW Admissions Team on 8/20/15 8:00 AMAre you a high school senior who knows that you want to go to college, but still have no clue what to major in? That's actually a lot more common than you think.Most college freshmen don't have a specific major in mind when they start school, so they explore various fields of study through general education courses. But you don't have to wait until you start college to start getting a feel for future majors and career possibilities.Career aptitude assessments are a great way for high school students to figure out where their interests lie. That’s why so many guidance counselors recommend them when students come with questions about “what to major in” or “what do I want in a career.” Sure, your interests could change over time (that’s expected), but it's a great place to start. You might even discover options that you hadn't considered before.If you already know what college you will be attending, check their career services website for these kinds of resources. It's pretty common for colleges and universities to provide career guidance tools for free on their website. Once you are a college student, you can take the results from your assessment and sit down with a career counselor to find out how your results can guide you to an ideal major, plan out your courses, research internships, and more.But for those of you still in high school, here are some popular career tests you can take right now to help you explore your options:1. The Complete Aptitude TestThe Aptitude Test is divided into seven parts that take about three minutes a piece. Each part asks questions pertaining to verbal, numerical, perceptual, spatial, technical, acuity, and analytical reasoning. While each part can only be taken once, you can complete them in any order. This is a great test for helping you find careers and majors based on “what you’re good at.”2. Princeton Review Career Aptitude TestPrinceton has the best of both worlds. If you have an idea of what you want to study, you can search through the categories to see how well you score on their aptitude tests. If you don’t know, they have a five-minute quiz to get a better idea.3. AptitudeTest.comThis site has a wide range of different aptitude test that one can browse around for free. Their categories are numerical, verbal, non-verbal, mechanical, mixed, and miscellaneous.Read more blog posts about Choosing a MajorRemember:Career assessments aren't always 100% accurate, but they are a good place to start. Take one, or take them all—either way, you will be on the path to choosing a major and a future career!Here are four other articles that will help you choose a major:How a Simple Personality Test Can Help You Choose a MajorUndecided?3 Best Majors for Deciding StudentsTop 4 Majors with the Best Entry-Level Opportunities4 Common Myths About Choosing a College MajorDownload our eBook, Majors and Careers 101: A Guide for Undecided Students Applying to Colleges by clicking the button below:Topics: Applying to College, Choosing a MajorCareer planning for high schoolersElka Torpey | January 2015“I’ve always had a pretty clear idea of what I want to do,” says Megan Lovely, a high school senior who hopes to become a director someday. She’s already taking steps toward her career goal by interning with her school drama teacher, acting, and applying to colleges.If you’re still in high school, you may not be as sure of your vocation as Lovely is of hers. But, like Lovely, you can start thinking about—and planning for—your future before graduation.“Start exploring what you want to do when you’re a freshman,” says Mark Danaher, a career counselor at Newington High School in Newington, Connecticut. “The high school years go very quickly.”Most people need some preparation before they’re ready for the workforce, and planning should begin long before it’s time to start a career. This could include taking technical courses during high school or, after graduating, attending a college or university to earn a certificate or a degree. Knowing what type of career preparation you need begins with thinking about what type of career you want.This article helps high school students plan for careers. The first section talks about exploring your interests. The second section highlights the importance of internships, jobs, and other opportunities for getting experience. The third section describes some education or training options, both in high school and afterward. The fourth section offers some thoughts on pursuing your dream career. And the final section lists sources for more information.Explore your interestsHigh school is a great time to start thinking about careers. “All your life you’ve been asked what you want to do when you grow up,” says Steve Schneider, a school counselor at Sheboygan South High School in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. “In high school, you start to work towards making that happen.”Many high schoolers don’t yet know what they want to do. And school counselors say that’s perfectly fine. In fact, students are likely to change their minds multiple times, perhaps even after they enter the workforce. And some of tomorrow’s careers might not exist today.Settling on just one occupation in high school isn’t necessary. But looking into the types of careers you might like can help set you up for success. “My feeling is that high school students don’t have to know the exact career they want,” says Danaher, “but they should know how to explore careers and put time into investigating them and learning about their skills and interests.”Learn about yourselfUnderstanding what you enjoy—and what you’re good at—is the first step in exploring careers, say school counselors. “If you don’t know what you want to do, the question is, ‘What do you like to learn about?’” Schneider says. “If you really like science, what do you enjoy about it—the lab work, the research?”Use the answers to those questions to identify careers that may have similar tasks. High school junior Kate Sours, for example, loves spending time with kids as a babysitter and enjoys helping people. So she focused on those two interests when she began considering potential careers.It’s important to think about what you like to do, say school counselors, because work will eventually be a big part of your life. “The whole purpose of thinking about careers is so that when you go to the workforce, you wake up in the morning and look forward to going to work,” says Julie Hartline, a school counseling consultant at Cobb County public schools in Smyrna, Georgia.Identify possible careersOnce you’ve thought about the subjects and activities you like best, the next step is to look for careers that put those interests to use. If you love sports, for example, you might consider a career as a gym teacher, recreational therapist, or coach. If you like math, a career as a cost estimator, accountant, or budget analyst might be a good fit.But those aren’t the only options for people interested in sports or math. There are hundreds of occupations, and most of them involve more than one skill area. School counselors, teachers, and parents can help point you in the direction of occupations that match your interests and skills. School counselors, for example, often have tools that they use to link interests and skills with careers. Free online resources, such as My Next Move, also help with career exploration.Another approach to identifying potential career interests is to consider local employers and the types of jobs they have. There are many jobs in manufacturing and healthcare near the high school where Schneider works, for example, so he often talks to students about the range of career options in those fields—from occupations that require a 6-week course after high school to those that require a bachelor’s or higher degree.Exploring careers that combine working with children and helping people led Sours to nursing. She’s now considering working in a hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit or pediatrics department.Sours notes the importance of broadening, rather than narrowing, possibilities when studying careers. “Keep an open mind,” she says, “because with some work, you might think, ‘Oh, that’s a nasty job.’ But when you start exploring it, you might discover, ‘This is cool. I might want to do this.’”Do your researchAfter identifying possible occupations, you’ll want to learn more about them. Resources such as Career Outlook and the Occupational Outlook Handbook can help you get started. Other sources of information include career-day programs, mentoring, and opportunities offered through your school to learn more about the world of work.Talking directly to workers can help you get information about what they do. If you don’t know workers in occupations that interest you, ask people such as parents, friends, or teachers for their contacts. Some schools have business liaisons or coordinators who help put students in touch with employers—and school counselors can assist, too. These networking efforts might pay off later, even if opportunities aren’t available now.After you’ve found workers who are willing to help, talk to them on the phone, by email, or through online forums. Meet with them in person for informational interviews to learn more about what they do. Or ask if you can shadow them on the job to see what their daily work is like.To find out if you’ll really like an occupation, school counselors say firsthand experience is indispensable. Sours, for example, shadowed her aunt, who works in a hospital as a physical therapist. Sours liked the hospital environment so much that she attended a week-long nursing camp, where she got to see the many tasks that nurses do. “I had so much fun, and I learned so much,” she says about both experiences.Get experienceIf job shadowing gives you a taste of what an occupation is like, imagine how helpful getting experience could be. Students can begin getting career-related experiences in high school through internships, employment, and other activities.Taking part in different experiences is another step toward helping you to figure out what you like—and what you don’t. These experiences may teach valuable job skills, such as the importance of arriving on time. (See box: Put forth your best you.)But, say school counselors, students need to remember that school takes priority over other pursuits. “It’s a good idea to get experience while you’re a student,” says Hartline, “but not at the expense of academic success.” Danaher agrees. “School should be your full-time job,” he says.InternshipsCompleting an internship is an excellent way to get experience. Internships are temporary, supervised assignments designed to give students or recent graduates practical job training. Sometimes, internships or other experiential learning positions are built into educational programs, and students receive academic credit for completing them.At Lovely’s school, for example, students have the option to fulfill an internship for credit during their junior or senior year. Lovely interned during her junior year for her high school theater director. “She gave us opportunities to do everything from contacting local newspapers for ads to writing program notes to directing the middle school production,” says Lovely. The experience gave Lovely a feel for a director’s work—and helped to cement her career goals.At other schools, students seek out internships on their own. Academic credit may not be awarded, but gaining hands-on experience can still be worthwhile. Check with your school counselor to see if opportunities exist at your school.JobsSummer or part-time employment is another way to get experience. Paid jobs allow you to earn money, which can help you learn how to budget and save for future goals or expenses.For some students, summer is a great time to explore careers through employment. As the chart shows, young people worked in a variety of industries in July 2014, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).View Chart DataThe U.S. Department of Labor has rules about youth employment. These rules differ depending on your age, but they often limit the types of jobs and number of hours you can work. States may have additional restrictions.Hartline advises that students who work during the school year start with a few hours and build from there, once they find it won’t interfere with their studies. “For some students, work is a motivator. For others, it’s a distractor,” she says.Regardless of when or where they work, school counselors say, students who pursue employment can learn from it. “I think there’s no substitute for any type of work experience,” says Michael Carter, director of college counseling at St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School in Alexandria, Virginia. “Without experience, it’s hard for students to appreciate what type of career they’d like to have because it’s all hypothetical.”Other activitiesYou can participate in other activities in high school that may spark a career interest. Examples include yearbook committee, science club, and debate team.By joining groups that involve community service and leadership opportunities, such as student government or honor societies, you can hone work-related skills or interests. Attending a camp in a subject area that interests you, such as engineering or writing, can help you focus on academic skills that may lead to a career.Some student organizations aim to promote career readiness. SkillsUSA, DECA, and the Future Business Leaders of America are just a few of the national-level groups that might have student chapters at your high school.Volunteering allows you to serve your community and bolster your experience. Religious institutions, local nonprofits, and government agencies are among the many organizations that use volunteers to fill a variety of roles.In addition to encouraging you to meet like-minded people and develop your interests, these activities also show future employers and postsecondary schools that you are motivated and engaged. And the more you shape your thoughts about a career, the better you'll know how to prepare for it.Train for a careerCareer preparation should start in high school, but it shouldn’t end with graduation: Most occupations require some type of training or education after high school. On-the-job training, apprenticeships, certificates, non-degree awards, and various levels of college degrees are typically required for entry-level jobs.Which type of training you need depends on the career you want to pursue. Your high school may offer opportunities for getting career training or college credits before you graduate. And after graduation, your training options expand even more. The closer you get to entering the workforce, the more you’ll want to narrow your choices.In high schoolGetting a solid education is an important foundation for any career. Workers in many occupations use problem-solving, communication, research, and other skills that they first learned in high school. By doing well in classes and taking part in career-training or college-preparation programs, you demonstrate that you’re ready to put these skills into action.Plan and achieveMake sure your high school course plan prepares you for entering the next phase of training or education in your desired career. To enter an electrician apprenticeship, for example, you may need a year of high school algebra. Your school counselor can help you plan your schedule to ensure that you take the required classes.Employers and postsecondary schools often look to your high school record to gauge how you might perform on the job or in an educational program. And finishing high school shows that you can set goals and follow through. “Starting freshman year, do the absolute best you can in your classes,” says Laura Inscoe, dean of counseling and student services at Wakefield High School in Raleigh, North Carolina. “Start strong and stay strong.”But school counselors also say not to worry too much if your grades aren’t as good as you’d like. “School studies open doors if you do well, but they don’t shut doors if you don’t,” says Danaher. “You might just take a different path.”Career programsYour high school may offer options for exploring careers while earning credit toward graduation. Some of these options also allow you to earn industry certifications, licensure, or college credit.In her high school, for example, Sours attends a career academy for health and medical sciences. She is learning about healthcare careers and will have a chance to apply some of her skills and knowledge as she continues in the program. By graduation, she’ll have earned both certifications and credits toward an applied nursing degree program at the local community college.Career academies and other types of technical education are available in many schools to provide hands-on career training. Classes in fields such as business and finance, culinary arts, and information technology are designed to prepare you for work or postsecondary school.College prep. If you know your goal is college, school counselors usually recommend taking the most rigorous academic classes your school offers—and those that you can successfully handle. Doing so helps bolster both your college application credentials and your readiness for college-level study.Some college-prep programs, such as Advanced Placement and dual enrollment, may help you get a head start on earning a postsecondary degree. Taking classes in these programs may allow you to waive some college course requirements, either by achieving a high score on exams or by completing a course for both high school and college credit.Admission to college is not based on coursework alone, however. Not all high schools offer advanced academics programs, and not all students take them. You may still have more options than you think, depending on your career goals.After high schoolAbout two-thirds of high school graduates from the class of 2013 enrolled in college that fall, according to BLS: 42 percent in baccalaureate (4-year) colleges and 24 percent in 2-year schools. Of the remaining one-third of 2013 graduates, who opted not to go to college, 74 percent entered the labor force.College-bound high school graduates may not know it, but BLS data show that wages are usually higher, and unemployment rates lower, for people who continue their education after high school.Associate’s and bachelor’s degree programs range from accounting to zoology. But job training and vocational school programs may offer the type of career preparation you need for the occupation that interests you.Job training. If you get a job or enter the military directly out of high school, you’ll receive training specific to the job. Some employers may even pay for you to get related credentials, such as industry certification.The type and length of on-the-job training you get depends on the occupation. For example, community health workerstypically need 1 month or less of experience on the job and informal training, in addition to a high school diploma, to become competent in the occupation.Apprenticeships are a form of job training in which a sponsor, such as an employer, pays a trainee to learn and work in a particular occupation. Some jobs in the military include apprenticeship training, but others involve different types of hands-on learning.Vocational school. Also known as trade or technical schools, vocational schools have programs designed to give you hands-on training in a specific field. Many of these programs lead to non-degree credentials, such as a certificate or diploma. Occupations that you can prepare for at these types of schools include automotive mechanic and emergency medical technician(EMT).Some vocational schools specialize in a certain occupation or career field, such as truck driving, culinary arts, or cosmetology. Others provide a diverse range of programs, such as medical assisting and precision production.Earning a certificate allows you to prepare for a career in a relatively short amount of time: Nearly all certificate programs take fewer than 2 years to complete. For example, you may earn a nursing assistant certificate in less than 1 year.Associate’s degree. Associate’s degrees, which may qualify you for occupations such as dental hygienist and funeral services manager, are available through public community colleges and other 2-year schools. But some 4-year schools also offer associate degrees that complement or lead into their bachelor’s degree programs.Associate’s degrees are available in a variety of subject areas, but most degrees awarded in the past decade have been broadly focused. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the most popular fields of study for associate’s degree recipients between 2001–02 and 2011–12 were liberal arts and sciences, general studies, and humanities.Earning an associate’s degree and then transferring to a bachelor’s degree program might make sense if you’re unsure of what you want to study. It also allows you to save money on tuition, because community colleges are usually less expensive than baccalaureate colleges and universities.Bachelor’s degree. If you plan to get a bachelor’s degree, your school counselor can help you with the application processes for colleges and financial aid. But you should also have a plan for why you’re pursuing a degree.A good initial step is to think about what you might like to major in. If you’ve been considering your career interests throughout high school, declaring a major won’t be difficult. “Your initial undergraduate program should be an outgrowth of your academic strengths in high school,” says Carter.Still not sure what you want to study? Look at some studies. For example, job opportunities and starting salaries vary by college major. (See table.) Data may be helpful in narrowing your choices, but they shouldn’t be the sole determinant of your future. “Don’t let your decision be based on money alone,” says Hartline. “Find something you’re going to love to do.”Average starting salaries for Class of 2014 college graduates, by major field of studyMajor category 2014 average starting salaryOverall $48,707Engineering $62,891Computer science $62,103Business $57,229Communications $48,253Math and sciences $44,299Education $40,267Humanities and social sciences $38,049Source: National Association of Colleges and Employers, September 2014 Salary surveyTo keep your options open as you choose a major, school counselors suggest entering a liberal arts program. Take classes in a broad range of subjects to help you figure out what you like best—and where that might lead in your future.Be flexible—and follow your dreamEveryone’s career path is different, and there is no “right” way to start a career. For example, if you want to postpone your studies to discover your passion, you might decide to take a “gap year” after high school. A gap year gives you a chance to pursue meaningful volunteer, work, or travel experiences. But school counselors recommend that you have a plan to ensure that your time off is productive.Whatever career path you choose, says Schneider, remember that you can change your mind at any time. “There’s always the flexibility to shift course,” he says. “A career is not a life sentence. If at some point you realize, ‘I don’t want to do this,’ back up and ask yourself the same questions again: ‘What am I good at? What do I like to do?’”And have the confidence to work toward your ideal career, school counselors say, even if it seems out of reach. “Put a plan together and go for it,” says Danaher, “even if everyone else says you’re crazy, or you’ll never make it. You may not make the NBA, but you might find a way to work within it doing work you really enjoy.”For more informationVisit your public or school library for books and other resources about careers. The BLS K–12 site has a career exploration page that can help you match your interests with selected occupations. For detailed occupational profiles, see the Occupational Outlook Handbook.Your state's labor market information office may have additional career tools and data specific to your area.Other government career resources includeMy Next Move, which helps you identify careers by keyword, industry, or interests and training.YouthRules!, which provides information about federal and state employment rules to young workers and their parents, employers, and educators.Career One Stop, which has resources related to jobseeking and career exploration.StudentAid.gov, which can help you to prepare for—and fund—a college education.Put forth your best youIt may seem early, but even in high school you can start to develop habits that are sure to be appreciated by future employers. “As a student, there are things you can do to get yourself college and work ready,” says career counselor Mark Danaher. For example, he says, students can develop good habits by getting to class on time, taking responsibility for their school work, and emailing a teacher if they’re going to be absent or late.Also, students need to remember to dress and behave appropriately whenever they might be in contact with a potential employer. “You act one way with your friends and another on the jobsite,” says school counseling consultant Julie Hartline. “Mind your demeanor.”This awareness extends to online forums, too. “There are a tremendous amount of positives to social media in terms of networking,” says director of college counseling Michael Carter. “But you have to be really careful.”Employers and college admissions officers often check out applicants online and on social media sites. “They’re looking into your background and want to see who you’re going to be because you may represent a business or institution someday,” says Carter. “Make sure that what you put out there for the world to see is how you want to be seen. Social media is a great tool, but you have to use it responsibly.”Elka Torpey is an economist in the Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections, BLS. She can be reached at [email protected] Tips About College Majors and Careers for High School SeniorsKeep an open mind about your prospective college major.Posted Jul 21, 2010Source: uwgb admissionsFor many high school students (and their parents), it's that time of year when you gather college applications and tour campuses as you consider the college you might want to attend. You take the admissions tour, look at the college's website, talk to current students and graduates-- all in an attempt to determine the best school and the best major. Particularly now with the economy on such shaky ground, and the cost of higher education rising, your parents want to see that their education dollars are well-spent. So let's talk about that "major" question. (See my post:"You Majored in What?")In certain cases, you will need to declare a major early. Some specialized degrees (such as music, engineering, or pre-professional colleges/schools in universities) require an early declaration due to the number and sequential order of courses you need to take prior to graduation. In addition, some popular fields of study (such as psychology) tend to limit many classes to majors only. For those reasons, if you know the major you plan to pursue, go ahead and declare.But here are some tips for the 80% of you who don't know what you plan to do after college and don't have a major in mind yet:1. Try to ignore the pressure to declare your major before you're ready. It may feel like "everyone" has declared a major and knows what career they want to pursue, but that's really not the case. Surveys show that about 80% of first-year students don't know what they plan to major in-- and that over 50% of college students change their majors at least once before they graduate. Most schools allow you to pursue up to four semesters of study before you are required to declare a major, so if you need that much time, take it.2. If you think you want to major in one subject, but aren't sure, try to select a college that offers flexibility. For example, if you are considering a music major but aren't 100% committed to the idea, you might want to attend a college/university that has a strong music program but will also allow you to take other courses your first year, rather than a conservatory which locks you into a heavy music curriculum your first year.3. The primary goal of higher education is education. Yes, you want to find employment after you graduate, but you will be investing a lot of money in the classes you will be taking so focus on what you will learn, how you will develop your thinking, and how you will grow as a function of your experience in college. You want to be inspired by professors and intrigued by new knowledge. That is the priceless part of the education-- try not to cut it off by focusing exclusively on the job you will get later on. You can supplement your education with internships, leadership in student organizations, on-campus employment, and other activities that will enhance your resume and broaden your job opportunities.4.Take a look at the range of majors your prospective colleges have to offer. Find out which schools are the strongest in your areas of interest. Colleges may look the same on the surface, but dig a little and you'll learn what makes each one unique. Some have outstanding study abroad programs, some are known for their science curriculum and laboratories, others for their arts programs, etc. If you have a general idea of your interests, seek out the programs with the best reputation in that area. In general, your employment prospects will improve if you attend a school known for the major you select, with a sufficient number of majors to justify on-campus recruiting by employers.article continues after advertisement5. Read up on majors that are unfamiliar. Just what does one study in "sociology" or "rhetoric"? Take a look at the classes offered in each department to see which ones pique your interest. You can use your high school interests as a starting point, but don't stop there.If you like science, but aren't sure what to major in, try an introductory science class that intrigues you (geology? astronomy? meteorology? biochemistry?) and see what happens.If you did well in Spanish, for instance, consider a new foreign language when you get to college. Consider what cultures you'd like to learn more about-- in college you'll experience a broader range of languages to study such as Chinese,Japanese,or Arabic. And the career opportunities related to language study can be quite interesting--in business, education, government or nonprofit settings. Add courses in business, anthropology, and international studies to round out your language study.6. While you're touring the campus, check out the bookstore. Look at the textbooks for various classes-- what looks appealing? What books might you read even if you weren't required to for a class? That might provide a clue for a possible major.7. Be prepared to be surprised (parents, too!). Most colleges have distribution or core curriculum requirements that require you to take classes in subjects you are currently unfamiliar with-- or maybe even dislike. Keep an open mind-- one question I ask my seniors who take my career classes is: "How many of you are majoring in the subject you planned to major in when you came to college?" Out of a class of 40 students I usually see only about 5 raised hands. I then ask them how they discovered their chosen major--- and for a majority of those students it was because they "had" to take a class in the subject and found it and/or the professor so interesting they decided to learn more.8. With the exception of a few specific areas (accounting or engineering, for example) your major does not equal your career. You will use your major as a starting point-- a way of thinking or a perspective-- and you will add internships and other experiences that will help you adapt your major to whatever career field you pursue. As you progress through your freshman and sophomore years, look for departments where you enjoy the professors, the classes, and the knowledge you're acquiring. Appreciating what you're learning makes it more likely you will get good grades-- something employers care about.9. Look for courses or experiences which will help you develop skills valued in any work setting: computer skills, writing and communication, analytic thinking, creativity, basic mathematic/accounting skills, etc. Just remember that these skills can be learned in virtually any major.10. As a career counselor, one of the saddest situations I see are seniors who chose a major because of the money they thought they would earn or the job they thought it would get them-- even though they didn't really enjoy the field of study. The workplace is too volatile for that kind of predictive behavior. Careers which are "hot" when you enter school can quickly cool off or become glutted. Hot "new" technologies get replaced. And jobs open up in fields that didn't even exist when you first enrolled in college. Develop skills which will serve you in a variety of settings. Flexibility will be the key to your future- so learn some basic workplace skills while you major in what you want.Find me on Facebook and Twitter, and to learn more about college majors and careers, check out my book, You Majored in What? Mapping Your Path from Chaos to Career.About the AuthorKatharine Brooks, Ed.D., is the Evans Family Executive Director of the Career Center at Vanderbilt University. She is the author of You Majored in What? Mapping Your Path from Chaos to Career.