By Elizabeth Ruocco
The Daily Campus, University of Connecticut 

(UWire)--When Melissa Poulin, Marshall Dougherty, Larisa Treyster, Lauren Borwick and Helena Stromberg graduated from University of Connecticut, they, like some students, did not know what their futures had in store.

These graduates started their college careers by enrolling at UConn and choosing majors that they found appealing. It is not uncommon for students to pick majors because they find it fascinating, as opposed to knowing the exact jobs they want to pursue.

"I always liked history and I've always found it interesting," said Melissa Poulin, a spring 2008 graduate. "I didn't necessarily have a specific career path in mind."

Helena Stromberg, who also graduated from UConn in the spring 2008 semester, chose to major in French with an interest in international studies. She recently gave her two weeks notice at her job, where she recruited businesses involved in weddings in Connecticut to advertise in the magazine of the company she was working for.

"I sort of fell into my major. I chose my major more for my interest in the subject than having a specific career in mind."
-Helena Stromberg

"I sort of fell into my major. I chose my major more for my interest in the subject than having a specific career in mind," Stromberg said. "To this day I only have a very small idea of what I ideally want to do job-wise."

Marshall Dougherty, who majored in management information systems, chose his major based on interest as well, and he believed there were good job perspectives in the field.

"I think it was important to consider both angles when selecting," Dougherty said. "You need to have some interest in order to succeed and enjoy it, but at the same time it is important to consider what you'll find after graduation."

Dougherty wishes to stay with his current job at Eeloitte, an accounting firm, for the next five to 10 years.

Larisa Treyster, who graduated from UConn in December 2007, knew coming into UConn that she wanted to pursue a career in actuarial science. She chose UConn because of its actuarial science program and knew that if she decided to change her career path, UConn would have available resources for her to do that.

As far as her future is concerned Treyster is not sure what it has in store for her.

"I am not certain where or what I will be doing in five or 10 years, but I can be confident that I will be able to look back on having gained valuable experience," Treyster said.

For those just beginning their college careers, it is important not to rush into a major and make sure it is something that will provide stable careers in the future.

"Pick a school first, take some elective classes and then see what you end up enjoying," Dougherty said. "At the same time, consider what your job prospects are going to be with your selected path and try to determine your priorities (career, family, continuing education, etc).'"

Choosing a major isn't a decision that will necessarily affect the rest of your life. The majors undergraduates choose don't always mean their career paths are limited to these majors. For example, Poulin graduated from UConn with a major in history and a minor in French and she is currently working at a disability insurance company.

"Historically what students major in determines their future, and while in some fields this may be the case, there are many opportunities regardless of one's major," said Laura Newburg, the assistant director and manager of employer relations at UConn. "The path is not as linear as people may think.'"

It is not uncommon for students to come into college with a decided major and find they want to do something completely different.

"I originally wanted to go into teaching and get my master's in education, but I plan to go back to school somewhere in the Northeast for something in the medical field," Borwick said.

Many people go back to earn degrees in other areas or go back to graduate school once they begin their career.

"I definitely plan on attending graduate school and possibly earning a Ph.D sometime in the future," Stromberg said. "But I would like to have a better idea of what I want to do first and then go back to school so I can be more specific in my studies."

There is no doubt that going from college to the workforce is a change in pace. The scheduling, setting, people, and demands may be very different from what a college graduate is accustomed to. However, there are plenty of opportunities and a variety of classes at UConn to help students choose their major and a career path.

"Any type of change will bring about certain emotions but most students transition well and UConn prepares them to do that," Barry Schreier, the Director of Counseling and Mental Health Services said.

There are so many opportunities after undergraduate school to further educate oneself and pursue careers in a variety of fields.