When going into college, you'll have to prepare for all the questions family and friends may ask for the next four years. Things like, "how is college life treating you?" Some of the questions are easy to answer. "Yes, mom. I am doing my homework and going to class." Other questions are more challenging. One question I experienced the most was, "what are you going to do with that degree?" Often, I had a hard time answering, simply from the shock of being asked.

Many people asking me this question were concerned simply because I would get an English degree. They always thought of the usual job for my degree, a teacher. Though I greatly admired teaching and the people who went into education, it was not necessarily what I wanted to do, and I often got tired of hearing people say that was the only job I could get. Many of us do not realize that the job market is vast. It is overflowing with opportunities in various areas of study. I know some fellow English major friends who went on to write grants for major healthcare providers, work in the publishing industry, and do freelance writing (like myself).

I realize now that I was not the only person asked this question. Many students in the humanities, arts, business, and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) field questions about their plans. There seems to be a trend in what careers are considered respectable and successful. If you are not going to become a doctor, lawyer, nurse, teacher, or CEO, what exactly is there? It is important to remember one thing: these are not the only careers to exist out there, though these are really respectable careers to pursue. Since graduating, I notice many opportunities extending beyond our society's "normal" careers. There are so many careers I had never even thought about or heard of existing.

An important element to keep in mind is that an increasing number of jobs require education beyond a bachelor's degree. A quick search through LinkedIn can show multiple jobs requiring a master's degree. Though it has not gotten to the point where most jobs need a doctorate, the pressure to keep furthering your education is growing— especially to outshine your fellow peers in the job market. Though the typical master's degree only takes one to two years, that is still more time you have to dedicate to your education and not your career, less experience you will gain working in your field, and more student debt you will accumulate. These factors can be even more overwhelming than someone asking you what you will do with your bachelor's degree.

Because of various factors existing around getting a job or career, the best response is to explain that your resume will speak for itself. Your resume is the very thing that is going to get you a job. For every job that exists, a number of applicants are also gunning for it. The very thing that is going to differentiate you as the ideal person for the job is your experiences. For example, let us say you are getting an English degree, like myself. You may have had many experiences through internships and volunteer opportunities to work at a local business firm. Some people might not think you can get a job working in the business because you have an English degree.

However, you might get the job over someone with a business degree because you bring an entirely different skill set to the table than the other applicants. You have shown you have cared about the industry through your experiences and that you can bring new insights to the company than others who have studied only business. Just because you are getting a degree in a specific major does not mean you must work within that field. Do not be afraid to branch out because knowledge is applicable across fields.

Dealing with asking questions about your future can be difficult in any circumstance. Being in college and being asked about your future career can be even worse. Most people do not even know what they will have for breakfast tomorrow. While navigating the nagging questions from your family and friends is complicated—maybe tiresome too—that does not mean you have to have everything already figured out. You are allowed to change your mind, and you are allowed to be getting a degree that you are interested in, rather than one that is just going to make you money. So next time you are asked about what you will do with your degree, reply, "I do not know, but I will figure it out."