You just walked into your first college class after four years of high school. Not wanting to be picked out as a freshman, you play it cool and try to control your overwhelming joy (and fear). The professor walks in and greets you with your first college assignment: "Good morning class! I want you to begin by answering the following question: What are your plans after graduating from college?"

You panic and think, "Plans after college? I just got here!" To make it worse, the guy in front of you announces, "I'm going into organizational communications and want to start my own business." Someone from behind chimes in, "I'm going to become an occupational therapist."

Slowly, you slouch down in your seat and think: "It's going to be a long year!"

On the contrary, the next four years are going to fly by so you'd better be prepared! Now I know what you're thinking... "Why should I prepare for my career? I already have it all planned out. I'll go to college, pick a major, and win on Jeopardy!"

Sorry, but that won't work for all of us. Preparing for your career is more than just picking a major. Out of every 100 fifth-grade students, only 47 will enter college; an even more disappointing number, 24, will actually earn a bachelor's degree, according to the National Center for Educational Statistics.

How can you be one of that lucky two dozen? Find a career and prepare for it. That means doing research, writing resumes, and building strong interviewing skills. Always remember that thousands -- maybe even millions -- of students just like you are trying to beat you to a job. There are some important steps, however, that can help make the process a little easier!

Deciding to Be Undecided
"If you don't have practical reasons for selecting a major, come to college undecided," says Eric Anderson, director of career services at Capital University (Columbus, OH).

"Don't be intimidated. Coming in undecided allows you to get into certain classes that will help you plan your goals," he says. "College also provides you with skilled advisors who can help with your career selection."

Venturing off to college undeclared doesn't mean you aren't going to graduate. It just makes the adjustment to school easier if you know you aren't starting off in a career you hate. If a loss of time (and money) is your concern, there's always community college. Such schools allow you to explore your career options at a much lower price. Once you've spent your first two years trying out a variety of fields (and picking up some credits for general requirements), you'll have a better sense of where to focus the remainder of your college career.

Career Services to the Rescue
Almost every college career services office offers an abundance of resources to help you pinpoint a career. They have classes that you can take if you're having trouble  

choosing a major

  and booklets depicting which majors lead to which careers.

"Career services will also have computer software, career surveys, and occupational programs for your use," says Anderson, "as well as contacts for internships and jobs. The more students know about themselves and what they possibly want to do, the more we can help."

Begin at the Beginning
The place to begin researching a possible career is right in your own home. "Find out what your parents do," says Anderson. "If you don't like their careers, at least you know of two jobs you don't want." Also talk to friends and relatives; can you picture yourself doing what they do?

"Take the opportunity to explore careers seriously," says Pat Smith, Seneca Area Career Coordinator (Tiffin, OH). "Be realistic about yourself and your future. If you don't like school, don't tell everyone that you're going to become a brain surgeon."

In other words, be aware of your skills and interests. If computers aren't your thing, you're going to feel overwhelmed in programming classes. Try some skills and interests tests in your guidance counselor's office to help you better understand what you'd like to do.

More Than Just Research
"There are several things students can do now to find the career that is right for them," says Smith. These opportunities include job shadowing (where you follow someone in a career that interests you), career fairs (networking super sessions where you can speak to professionals in various industries), and mentorships (a chance for you to establish a relationship with someone in your desired field).

"Get involved; people learn about themselves and learn lifelong habits from [it]," Smith emphasizes.

Summer Solutions
"A summer job can also be helpful for deciding a future career," says Anderson. There you'll come to understand the basics of a business, he adds, and you'll gain experience in the working world -- characteristics that will enhance your resume.

Added bonuses are the valuable interviewing skills and workplace etiquette you'll acquire -- both of which are perfect test-runs for the real-thing later on down the road.

Interview Know-How
Speaking of interviews, good interview skills are vital. By applying for a summer job or participating in a mock interview at a career fair, you'll learn the dos and don'ts of talking your way into a dream job. Interviewing well is a skill that can only be developed through practice. The more you interview, the better you'll be. Writing a resume is also a "required course" in Career 101. It is this piece of paper that explains to employers who you are, what you hope to accomplish, and what experiences you have to offer. Realize that every real-world encounter counts and each one will bring you closer to your desired career field. The idea is to start building your experiences (and your career) now.

You Snooze, You Lose!
The key to your ultimate dream career is preparation. Both Smith and Anderson agree that when choosing a career, it's wise to get started early. "The sooner you start, the better prepared you'll be to [enter] college and begin finding that dream career afterward," says Anderson. So, get going! This way, when your future professor asks you what your plans are after college, you won't slouch in your seat! Start looking at careers now and you'll get an A+ on your first college assignment

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