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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

I'm very intrigued by the concept of Alternative Spring Break , which encourages young adults (18- to 24-year-olds) to engage in meaningful volunteer service instead of heading for the beach to party.

Generally the programs run in late February and throughout the month of March. College students from all across the country are doing everything from rebuilding homes in the hurricane-ravaged Gulf Coast to improving child-care centers in snowy Detroit. Very cool stuff.

Alternative breaks aren't just for spring, too — many schools participate in programs that offer longer programs over the summer and all over the world, from Latin American countries to Indian Reservations in my South Dakota backyard .

Keep in mind that participation in most of these programs isn't free — you still have to find transportation to get there and pay for meals and lodging while you volunteer.

So why pay to work when you could be on the beach? Well, I'm guessing that the connections you make with people and the impact you have on deserving communities are better than a suntan and a hangover any day.

Anyone participating in Alternative Spring Break this year? Or if you've done it before, tell us about your experience!

Staci

Even though I'm not in school anymore, and I don't have kids of my own, I love to shop for school supplies. In both the big-box stores  and the independent drug stores across America, aisles are filled with wide-ruled notebooks, two-pocket folders, No. 2 pencils, and crayons.

There's something about a new box of crayons: perfectly sharp, perfectly intact, and perfectly aligned according to color. I'm especially partial to Crayola® cornflower , a soothing shade of blue. And the smell! Wax and dye and the promise of a brand-new school year. There's nothing better.

Not all families share my enthusiasm for buying school supplies—after all, they can be expensive. Many kids go back to school with last year's supplies, or worse, no supplies at all. That's a tough way to start off the year.

Fortunately, in my community there's help for those who need these essentials but can't afford them. It's Project S.O.S., which stands for "Supply Our Students." Sponsored by a local volunteer organization  that relies mainly on donations, Project S.O.S. provides basic school supplies to area students from low-income families. This year, they expect to assist more than 4,000 students!

I have to admit that selfishly, I benefit from Project S.O.S. just as much as the students do. I get to indulge my school-supply addiction by purchasing backpacks  and three-ring binders and scissors and glue. What's more, I get to share a sense of optimism with kids who might not otherwise have it.

Sadly, crayons are no longer on the supply list—they've been replaced by markers and colored pencils. But I'm pretty sure that the promise of a brand-new school year is still every box.