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Caroline

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Graduation is looming, seniors. Do you know what you'll do with your major?

If your major is something general — the kind that lends itself to graduate school, like psychology , sociology or English — what happens if you don't go to grad school?

It can be daunting to look for a job if you don't feel you've been trained for a very specific position — especially in today's job market.

My advice? Keep an open mind about what kind of work you're willing to do. If you're truly committed to your field, by all means, seek a position in it. But if you're not — don't get too terribly hung up on finding a job that matches the career path you chose as an 18 year-old freshman.

Also, live in the real world. Remember that your degree doesn't necessarily entitle you to a high-paying job. A college degree will open doors, and in the long run is a good investment , career-wise. But you may still have to start at the bottom with your first job — so don't freak out if you find yourself working in a job that feels beneath your skill level, or if you realize that others with less education are making more money than you at first. Tuck your pride aside, and remember that many jobs build experience and are stepping stones to greater things.

If you do find yourself working in a job that doesn't feel like it's leading where you want to go, try building your resume and making contacts another way. Do some volunteer work  that you love — it may lead to a job down the road that you love.

And remember that most people don't have straight and predictable career paths behind them. A couple examples from the real world: I have two friends that were sociology majors — one worked for AmeriCorps VISTA  for two years directly out of college. She eventually got her masters degree and is now a teacher. The other went to work for a non-profit organization directly out of college. She worked a couple other jobs, then eventually earned her master's degree and now works for a university.

What type of job will you look for after graduation?

Staci

It's February 2 — Groundhog Day. 

According to weather lore, on this day, if the proverbial groundhog  emerges from its burrow and sees its shadow, six more weeks of winter are in store. But if it's cloudy and the groundhog's shadow isn't visible, an early spring is in sight.

I'm hoping for an early spring.

Since spring might be right around the corner, we're going to spend this week talking about a part of your college experience that usually needs to be completed before graduation: internships.  Internships are your chance to do a little "shadowing" of your own. You can gain more knowledge of your desired profession, learn some real-world skills to include on your resume, make connections for future job prospects, and (fingers crossed) get paid a little, too.

We hope our advice will make your internship experience less of a different sort of Groundhog Day  — one repeated over and over again!

Rachel

Do you listen to music while you study? I did. I watched movies, too. And even now, when work calls for some late-night overtime, I still do.

Do you think it's a Gen Y  thing? Or just a way some people tune out the noise by choosing their own tunes?

In college, my four roommates and I would put on a movie — one we'd all seen hundreds of times — and work away on papers and flashcards, only pausing every now and then to throw out a line like, "You must chill! You must chill!" , "I carried a watermelon"  or "Aspen! Mmmm California. Beautiful." 

Recently, my dad called me to discuss this very topic. One of his employees was listening to the radio at his desk. My dad asked him to turn it off and told him that music in the workplace is inappropriate.

I told my dad he should stop asking the reverend from Footloose  for business advice.

He ended up reading the copy of When Generations Collide  I had bought for him, and a compromise with his employee was somehow made — but not without a reminder of how dancing to my iPod in my cubicle truly does contribute to my success.

Tonight I put on a recorded episode of Austin City Limits : Aimee Mann  followed by Iron & Wine . What a glorious evening.

Sometimes, it just takes a good groove to get in the groove.

So what's your preferred studying soundtrack?

Caroline

For college students or recent graduates, all the doomsday news about the economy can be pretty unsettling. And truth be told, the job outlook  for 2009 grads doesn't look wonderful.

I don't mean for that news to get you down — quite the opposite. It's easy to listen to the news or read the headlines and get discouraged about your future. And that discouragement can become a self-fulfilling prophecy .

The truth is, when you graduate, you only have to find one job — for yourself. So stop worrying about statistics and start putting yourself in the best position possible to land a job upon graduation. I've posted some tips before about planning during senior year. Finding a mentor and creating a backup plan are a couple of great ways to help recession-proof your post-college life.

Start your job hunt early and cast a wide networking  circle. You may have to keep an open mind about your location, or exactly the type of work you want to do. Try to stay flexible and keep your eyes open for the learning opportunities available to you at various types of jobs.

As I've said before, it took me nine months to land a full-time job in my field after college graduation. It was a tough time, but because it wasn't easy, I've truly appreciated every job I've had since.

In today's economy, how do you feel about your job prospects after graduation?

Caroline

It's hard to avoid all the bad economic news  these days. College students, I wouldn't blame you if you're nervous about leaving the safe confines of campus. The real world isn't looking too inviting these days.

So with a rough economy, are you considering grad school as — and forgive me as I pull from the headlines here — a bailout plan?

I found a great story  on NPR on this very topic. It pretty much confirms my opinion on the subject: Going to grad school just to ride out the bad economy or because you don't know for sure what you want to do is not such a good idea.

However, if you do know what you want to be when you grow up, and grad school is a means to get there, then certainly, go.

I know it often feels like the smarter choice to stay in school rather than graduate with a bachelor's degree , only to find yourself still working at a coffee shop or taking some other job that doesn't require a $75,000 education.

But the truth is, if grad school is just a chance to bide your time and figure out your goals, then you're better off getting a job — any job — than taking on more debt.

What do you think? Is the state of the economy impacting your choices as you prepare to graduate from college?

Barbara

We've talked before about what to do once you've completed the FAFSA. Have your received your award packages (the next step) from your colleges yet?

If so, I bet many of your schools gave you a chance for some "free money" — that is, money you don't have to repay after you leave school, like grants and scholarships. Or you may have found the chance to earn some funds for school through the Federal Work-Study program .

Out of curiosity, I checked the possibilities  at my alma mater . Lots of options for many different interests! Have you thought about what type of work you may be interested in?

While I myself did not have a work-study position while in college, several of my friends (a lot of English majors) had jobs at USD's Writing Center . They were able to find a work-study position that was applicable to their major. (Our own Ms. Schiller scored a similar job during her collegiate years.)

For those of you who’ve already completed work-study jobs, where did you work?

Caroline

Calling all parents of high school seniors!

It's now time to take on a not-so-fun parental duty. It's time to have "the talk" with your senior: that uncomfortable discussion about college costs and their future ability to repay their student loans.

In almost every article I read these days about student debt, there are a few anecdotes about students who spent thousands upon thousands of dollars on college, only to find upon graduation that their salary is completely out of whack with their debt load.

I'm always left wondering if the student either: 1) had no idea of the earning potential in his/her chosen career; 2) knew the earning potential but just didn't realize how that would translate in a practical sense; 3) just chose not to think about finances at all until it was time to pay.

It's easy to understand why 18 year-olds would have a tough time understanding how their salary translates in the real world. That's where parents need to step in during the college-selection process and give the following short, but pointed speech:

I know you're very interested in attending "Really Expensive College," but we're going to have to consider what kind of financial aid package they offer you. Because you plan to study XYZ, you'll probably start out at a salary of around $25,000. Once we see your financial aid package, we'll have to figure out how much money you'll need to borrow, and what your monthly payments will be once you graduate. If it's going to be too much to handle on your salary — and I can help you figure that out — you're going to have to consider "Less Expensive College ."

Of course, the discussion may not be that simple — especially if your child is very attached to the idea of attending an expensive school and following a career path that doesn't justify the price tag. But hang in there, parents, and keep them focused on financial reality. They'll thank you one day.

Parents: are you talking with your kids about college costs?

Barbara

For a number of my friends, formal education didn't stop at our undergraduate commencement. Many are now taking graduate level classes towards a master's degree. Some are taking classes on top of a full-time job, some are working part-time and some aren't working at all.

I'm always interested to see which of those options grad students choose. What are you, your friends or your family doing?

Each option has its perks and pitfalls. There's not a singular best option for all graduate students – it depends on the individual situation. The choice can be based on a number of variables, like what kind of program the student is in, the need for a steady income, or how much money the student wants to borrow. Caroline addressed the financing piece in an earlier post back in May.

Here are a couple things to consider:

Tuition assistance: For those students who choose to work full-time, many employers offer a tuition reimbursement program  so employees can continue their education part-time while they are working.

Grants and assistantships: Sometimes instead of working part-time outside of school, graduate students can get financial assistance through assistantships  in their own department. Usually students must be attending full-time to qualify for a GA position.

Attending school part time : Even if your employer doesn't offer tuition assistance, having the income and benefits from a job may give you the ability to take a class here and there, working slowly toward an advanced degree.

Working part time: Working part time while attending school full-time may mean borrowing less money through student loans, which could save you money in the long run.

Workload: For many programs, there really isn't an option to work. With heavy loads of homework, some graduate students just need to focus on their studies.

Are there any graduate students or former graduate students out there with advice for those facing the work conundrum?

Caroline

Most students head off to college full of anticipation. Your life's finally getting started, you've got a newfound independence and you're on way to a real career.

I hate to be a Debbie Downer  here, but despite all those high hopes, by the end of freshman year about 30 percent of students have dropped out. And according to the Department of Education, around 50 percent never graduate at all.

I'm only bringing this up because I don't want it to happen to you. If money is the problem , consider this: college graduates earn roughly twice as much  as non-graduates over a lifetime. You really don't want to leave school with the double whammy of debt and no degree. If you're struggling with money, get yourself to your school's Financial Aid Office right away. They're the best people to help figure out your options.

Unfortunately, many students drop out of school because they simply don't know what it takes to stay in college — I've seen this with my own eyes. Here are some simple suggestions that will go miles toward keeping you in college:

1. Go to class. You know how they say "90 percent of life is just showing up"? This definitely applies in college. No one's there to make you go, and it's going to be tempting to skip sometimes, but you have to show up for class. When you get there, if it's a big lecture hall, sit up front. You'll be less distracted, you'll hear better, and you'll automatically pay more attention because the professor can actually see you.

2. Study . Study between classes whenever you can. Even if you've just got an hour, you can review your notes, read a chapter or outline a paper. In the evenings, find a quiet place away from distractions. If you're struggling in a class, see your professor, teaching assistant or advisor — they may be able to help you get a tutor.

3. Stay on campus on the weekends. During your first year of school, it can be really tempting to run back home on the weekends, but don't give in. Finding yourself at loose ends on a weekend may feel strange, but there are plenty of other freshmen in the same boat. Stick it out — you've got to commit to making friends and finding a life at school if you want to succeed

4. Don't go out on weeknights. This ties directly to point #1. Simply put, you'll be less-inclined to skip class if you weren't out the night before. You don't have be a hermit during the week — have a TV night   with your friends, go for study snacks, whatever keeps you sane. But treat college like a full-time job: Take it seriously and save going out for the weekends.

What do you think? What does it take to stay in college these days?

Caroline

Since summer is more than half over (so sad!)—I'm wondering how your summer job has been going?

I'm thinking about it because my stepdaughter is having a much better job experience this year compared with last. Last summer she was bored silly working a few hours a week as a waitress.

This year she's a nursing assistant  at a local hospital and is working toward certification. It's hard work and she's putting in lots of hours, but I can tell she's much happier. She's building her resume  and getting great experience (since she's planning a career in occupational therapy).

The money doesn't hurt, either. She's making lots more this summer and is able cover all her own bills and rent. She's also keeping a comfortable balance in both her checking and savings accounts. All in all, she's having a pretty good experience.

What about you?