By Melissa O’Beck |Staff Writer|

School is not a career, it is the training grounds for a career.
With unemployment rates at a devastating 7.4 percent, it is time that college students start strategically choosing their majors not only for the passion, but for the opportunity for a career.
In an era where degrees are a dime a dozen, the stakes have been raised and going to college is no longer the ticket. It is simply just a passport.
Students need to understand where their major’s career path will end up. While some job markets are dying, others are flourishing.
According to USA Today, “49 percent of employers are having difficulty hiring — particularly in math and science, high-tech jobs, manufacturing and mechanics. The jobs are there, the education is not.”
It is understood that not every student will want to major in math or science.
Not every student has a desire or interest in these fields.
“I definitely think you should go to school for what you are passionate about,” said student Jenny Stone. “Four years of college is a lot more bearable when you are studying what you are passionate about, versus studying a major where the only goal is a bigger paycheck. They say you never work a day in your life if you do what you love.”
However, if you don’t chose your major properly, then you just might never work a day in your life.
When you apply for college and begin to pull out endless student loans, it is ultimately to achieve a career, correct?
If you do not choose a major that can benefit your future, after graduation your phone will not ring and there will be no paycheck of any sort to collect.
There are cheaper ways to follow your passion than to spend 50k plus on a piece of paper that in no way entitles you to a career.
Doing what you’re passionate about is important, but should not be the only factor in choosing a major.
If it was, then there would not be so many college graduates still serving at the local eatery or making your lattes and frappuccinos every morning at Starbucks.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics has claimed that 3.7 million employers across the United States still have “Help Wanted” signs posted looking for qualified workers.
I think these corporations and business leaders also need to get involved in the reform of higher education by offering programs and schooling to workers out of their own budgets.
Doing so will help workers learn the specific skills these companies need.
They need to point out to students that there are actual structured requirements for those jobs.
Students, educators and business leaders need to band together and enforce the fact that there is accurate and attainable information about which job markets are hiring.
While others continue on the passion route, this will help the students who are actually looking for the opportunity to be successful.