ANONYMOUS: I am lost. I have no clue what type of jobs are out there for me. All I know is these few things about myself: I am a natural-born leader; I love working with people; and I love watching something work for me. I am currently halfway through college, but still haven’t decided what is right for me. I went after business administration and then thought that it wasn’t for me. I would like to know what jobs are ‘hot’ by 2005 when I graduate. I am afraid of getting into a career that I feel I will regret. Please help.

First things first. Relax! Here are some things to keep in the back of your mind as you contemplate your future. The degree is the most important thing, so while it would be helpful to get it exactly in your future career field, your major is not as important as the degree itself. And no matter what career you enter upon graduating from college, you can change it anytime you like – and if you are like most people, you will end up changing your career field many times over the course of your life. Many new college grads sort of stumble out of college into a job/career that they find is not what they wanted or expected – and they simply move on.

It’s great you have already identified your skills and passions – it’s the first step toward identifying potential careers. And, certainly, from your description, a career in business makes sense.

It’s also important to look at forecasts of jobs/careers that are going to be in demand, but keep in mind it’s more important to find a fit with a job and career path that matches your skills and interests.

So, I recommend talking with some recent alums about their jobs, talking with your professors and visiting the career services office at your school. All three of these sources should give you some good ideas about careers. Visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics at http://www.bls.gov/ – in the section titled “Tomorrow’s Jobs” – or go to your library and read a book such as, The Unofficial Guide to Hot Careers.

JENNIFER: Can you tell me what classes and how long and what I need to do to become a paralegal? I work for a law office as a legal secretary right now and they want to promote me to a paralegal once I go to school for it. Can I go to my community college for it? Help!

First, let me congratulate both you and your employer. You are obviously a great employee and it’s wonderful to see your employer wants to help you grow as a legal professional. Before you take the next step, please make sure this career step is one you want to take. I assume, working in a law office, you have a good idea of pros and cons of being a paralegal, but, if not, now is the time to do the research. Since you are obviously very good at what you currently do, there is no shame in staying a legal secretary if becoming a paralegal does not appeal to you.

Okay, now to your question. There are several ways of become a paralegal. If you do not have a college degree, then one option is to attend a local community college’s paralegal program leading to an associate’s degree. If you do have a college degree, there are certificate programs that lead to certification in paralegal studies in just a few months. If your local community college does not offer paralegal studies, there are numerous online programs that do – but make sure you find an accredited program. You do not necessarily need a program approved by the American Bar Association, but graduating from an ABA-approved school should enhance your options (if something happens with your current firm).

LINDSEY: I am interested in technical theater, and I am thinking about majoring in it. My concerns are what type of steady occupation could I work in after college?

First, let me state that only you can answer your question. The ideal situation for any student or job seeker is to find a job/career that you love – and that is in demand.

My advice is to conduct some informational interviews with professionals working in the theater. Informational interviews are where you sit down (in person, by phone or electronically) with someone in a job that interests you. Ask as many questions as you can about how he or she broke into the field, how he or she sees future employment trends, how you can best prepare for a career in this field. The goal is information. A side benefit is adding the person to your network. And in some cases, the interview may result in you being invited to apply for an internship.

I would also talk to the professors who teach the technical theater courses. Ask about careers and ask about the placement of recent grads and other alums.

I haven’t seen any news indicating the demise of theater in this country, but ask your professors and the professionals in the field – they will have the inside scoop.

ANONYMOUS: What would be the best way to go about getting a pharmaceutical sales rep job? What should I major in? And should I get a bachelor’s or master’s degree?

Before I address your questions, let me first get on my soapbox. Over the last couple of years, the sexiest job opportunity for college grads and career changers has been pharmaceutical sales representative. During that same period, I think it’s been the most misunderstood.

Most of the job seekers I’ve talked with have this illusion the job is glamorous, offers autonomy, and pays amazingly well. The reality is that this career requires a lot of work and determination – and, if chasing doctors is your idea of glamour, then so be it. High earnings potential? Yes, with the right company, in the right location and with the right amount of persistence.

I know some former students and clients who are in pharmaceutical sales and love it – while others who thought it was their dream career have changed careers yet again. So, do your research and go into this career with a realistic view.

Requirements vary by company, but the basic package you should have is a bachelor’s degree (in any field, though a business field might give you an edge) and previous sales experience (through summer jobs, internships, etc.). An interest in science/medicine is beneficial, but not necessary. Master’s degrees are generally not required – and may make it harder to land an entry-level position.

Because of the popularity (and demand) surrounding pharmaceutical sales, there are numerous books and other sources of information about this career. Your best bet? Use your network to find a couple of people currently working as pharmaceutical sales reps and conduct informational interviews to learn more about their impressions and experiences.

PATRICIA: I would like to get information on marketing as a career. Where I should go, and what would my major be? And what are the job prospects and types of jobs available?

If you want to have a career in the one area of any business or organization integral to its success, then you want a career in marketing. Marketing is all about developing (superior) products or services consumers need and delivering them at the highest level of customer satisfaction possible. Marketing is both an art and a science. Without successful marketing, no organization can survive – because without marketing, you don’t have any customers.

You don’t need to major in marketing in college, but I would strongly consider it. You might also consider communications, public relations, psychology and sociology as possible majors or minors. More important, once you are in college, you need to get the marketing experience – as much as possible – through volunteering, school projects, campus organizations and internships or co-ops. Marketing is a hot field – and expected to keep growing for the next decade, according to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, with services and business-to-business marketing having the most opportunities.

HAYLEE: I’m a senior in high school. I’m planning to study medicine, but my problem is that I’m not sure which rank of medicine I would like to study. I was wondering if you could tell me the different types of doctor careers there are and what they do.

I think a medical career is a wonderful calling. Just remember you are still young and have not experienced much of what college offers, so while you may remain true to your choice and become a doctor, you may also veer into any number of other career paths – so just keep your eyes open to all the possibilities that await you.

Okay. So, careers in medicine; specifically, career paths for doctors. You can choose to be a generalist or a specialist.

According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, “About one-third of the nation’s physicians are generalists – primary care – doctors who provide lifelong medical services for you and all the members of your family.” General internists, family physicians and general pediatricians are all considered generalist doctors.

The other two-thirds of doctors specialize in a wide variety of areas that basically fall into one of these categories: research, obstetrics and gynecology, cardiology, psychiatry or surgery. Within these categories are a wide range of specialties.

JENNA: I am trying to chose a career path. I will be going to college soon taking medical radiography to become an X-ray and ultrasound technician. However, I don’t think this is the career I really want (bad hours and too much human suffering). What I really want are ideas for cool careers. Careers that, when someone asks you what you do for your living, he feels intimidated by your answer! I don’t know what’s out there.

What’s out there as a career for you? It’s a cliche, but it’s true: If you have the intelligence, the determination, and the resources, just about any career path can be yours.

But, don’t think so much about one career shaping the rest of your life; think more about a series of careers that span your lifetime, some of which may be related.

So, the first big question is why are you majoring in something that you have no real interest in ever doing? Why not look into other colleges and careers before you make that final choice.

As for other careers, the best sources are your teachers and your family. You can also conduct a lot of career research online, using such sources as the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Because you have a wide range of interests, it might also be helpful to take one or more career assessment tests; these tests work well in conjunction with you own assessment of your strengths and weaknesses, as well as your likes and dislikes.

KIMBERLY: I am in the process of going back to school to pursue a career as a nurse. I was hoping that you could give me a Web site that offers the career assessment test. It would be nice to see if this is where my true potential lies.

I am a big believer in the use of assessment tests – but only as a small part of a much broader self-assessment, self-reflection exercise. So, while there are plenty of self-assessments tests (both online and in print; some free, some fee-based), I think you might be better served by spending some time looking at what made you consider nursing, researching nursing careers that interest you, and then if you still want to, taking an assessment test.

According to the American Nurses Association: “Nursing has many definitions, but the essence of nursing is that nurses combine the art of caring with the science of health care. Nursing places its focus not only on a particular health problem, but on the whole patient and his or her response to treatment. Care of the patient and a firm base of scientific knowledge are indispensable elements.”

Is nursing right for you? Make a list of the activities and interests that excite and motivate you. Then review your aptitude for science and medicine. From these activities, you should have a good picture if nursing is right for you.

MIKE: I am looking for a career but I am not too sure of what I want to do. I have thought about something in criminal investigation, but I also would like to open my own business. I also am looking for a Web site that has a list of jobs/careers with requirements for that job. Which careers would you tell the young people of today to consider if they want to become successful?

Let me start with your last question first – with a question for you, because it’s the question I always ask my clients and students when they talk about wanting to be successful. Here’s the question: How do you define success? How you answer the question will very likely shape the type of career you head toward.

With the growing number of criminal investigative television shows (such as “CSI”) and the rise in demand for security professionals, experts have seen an increase in students majoring in forensics and criminal justice programs.

You also need to determine why you are interested in criminal investigation – and what interests you about owning your own business. Take steps to learn more about this field of interest through talking with teachers or career professionals as well as researching books and the Internet for more information.

Many people dream of having their own business, and some are even able to start one right out of school, but most experts suggest working in the field for a period of time to really learn the trade and build your credentials.

JENNIFER: I want to be a stay-at-home mother – and hold down a job. Telecommuting is my only solution to the problem. How do I go about finding companies that offer this option?

Telecommuting, also referred to as teleworking, is an employment scenario that many workers – at one time or another – fantasize about. The idea of not having to face the morning and afternoon commutes, of wearing your pajamas or sweats all day, of totally managing your time, and of spending more time with your family contribute to our view that telecommuting should, or could, be an option that would make us happier and better workers.

And people with young children or elderly parents often seek out telecommuting, as you have, as a way to stay an active member of the workforce while balancing family obligations.

The reality of telecommuting, though, is that while you eliminate the commute to work, you still need child care or elder care because you cannot expect to work effectively while being constantly distracted by family issues. You also need enough room in your house or apartment where you can carve out some space that is dedicated to work.

If you are still seriously thinking about telecommuting, here are a few other reality checks for you to consider:

It’s very rare to find a job that starts out as a telecommuting job. It’s much easier to convert an existing position into a telecommuting position by presenting a proposal to your supervisor.

Most people who telecommute do not do so full-time; instead, they usually telecommute from home two or three days a week.

Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D., is a career expert who has authored numerous publications on career development and job hunting. He is the owner of Quintessential Careers and an associate professor of marketing at Stetson University. Send career and job questions to careerdr@quintcareers.com.

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