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1. Main Article Big Picture Topics Multimedia Best college course for career prep http://www.collegegrad.com/job-search-videos/the-best-college-course-for-job-search-prep.shtml College Major and Future Career Why Your College Major Matters Here are some reasons for taking the decision seriously: You're about to invest several years of your life in studying a subject in great detail. You'll be most successful in your major, and subsequent career, if you're truly interested. College can be a big investment of your time and money, so to maximize your psychological and financial payback make sure the major you choose points you in the right direction. There are many careers that favor or even require one degree over another. If you're interested in a particular career find out which majors are required or recommended before you choose one. Despite the importance of choosing a major, the vast majority of students still make the decision haphazardly. Frequently, students find the sheer number of options is overwhelming, which makes it easy to postpone the decision until well into college. Putting off your decision for too long can result in a choice that's convenient but unwise or can delay graduation. Take Your Time and Do the Research Choosing a major is not a decision that should be made in two hours, two days, or even two weeks. Research all your options and keep an open mind. Once you've narrowed the list of majors and careers that seem interesting, try each of them on for a while. For example, take classes in the major and talk to your professors about the possibilities. Pursue internships and jobs where you can get hands-on experience and talk to people working in the field. If you're not excited by the subject matter or can't see yourself in that type of career, then move on to others. After all, if you start early, you have plenty of time. Source: Collegeboard.com http://www.collegeboard.com/student/csearch/majors_careers/959.html Tools College majors and career profiles http://www.collegeboard.com/csearch/majors_careers/profiles Career Planner test http://www.careerpath.com/ career-tests/careerplannerquiz.aspx Career Interest test http://www.livecareer.com/default.asp?lp=st01&cobrand=CLEAR Headline Hottest Careers for College Grads http://www.collegeboard.com/student/csearch/majors_careers/236.html Collaborate/ Communicate

2. is optimistic about the stimulus plan's effects on the job market, and is projecting that the Main Article Big Picture Multimedia Obama’s Address to Congress on Stimulus and Jobs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MVtE7C-YVc College Major and Future Career 5 Things to Know About the Stimulus-Era Job Market The stimulus has Americans mostly confused. Here's what you need to know By Liz Wolgemuth Posted February 20, 2009 Near the start of the nearly 1,100-page stimulus bill is its statement of purpose, and its first purpose is jobs, as in "to preserve and create jobs and promote economic recovery." With a price tag of nearly $800 billion, the ambitions for job creation and recovery over the next two years are huge. The president has signed it into law, but we still haven't heard a giant swoosh of relieved exhales from the 11.6 million Americans who are out of work and looking for jobs. Instead, when it comes to the stimulus package, confusion reigns. Every sector should grow: Of the 3.7 million jobs estimated to be created or retained, you've probably heard the most about construction and healthcare jobs. But when jobs are created in those sectors, jobs are also created indirectly in other sectors.. Union workers will benefit: This bill provides money to repave highways and reinforce bridges, as well as money that could be used to build wind turbines and renovate schools. Even the Environmental Protection Agency gets money to build green visitor centers at national parks and refuges. Those projects all mean work for occupations that have an above-average rate of unionization. There will be white-collar work, too:. Even portions of the bill that would seem blue-collar heavy will offer variety, Shatkin says. For example, infrastructure spending will mean work for civil engineers and urban planners, as well as construction workers. The unemployed will get help: While bent on job creation, the bill also provides relief for the unemployed. It aims to get consumers spending again: Joanie Ruge, a senior vice president at Adecco, says the company is optimistic about the stimulus plan's effects on the job market, and is projecting that the job losses will slow mid-year.  "We do think the economy right now really needs a jolt," Ruge says. "We need something to get consumer confidence back up.” Source: US News and World Report http://www.usnews.com/articles/business/careers/2009/02/20/5-things-to-know-about-the-stimulus-era-job-market.html Tools Projected Growth for 10 Top careers for college grads http://www.forbes.com/2009/01/09/college-grads-jobs-leadership-careers-cx_tw_0109jobs_slide_2.html?partner=msnbc Headline Obama’s Stimulus Plan and Jobs http://www.usnews.com/articles/business/careers/2009/02/20/5-things-to-know-about-the-stimulus-era-job-market.html Collaborate/ Communicate