Thinking about a future career while in college can be intimidating, but it can start as early as freshman year. Throughout college, opportunities often arise which may help students gain experience for their career before graduation.
The first step in deciding your focus for the future is declaring a major.
According to Southeastern's website's "Making a Decision" document, a student should choose a major with content that they enjoy, which matches their interests, values and skills and can lead to an interesting career. A student also needs to consider if the income after the goal of the degree being attained is worth the possible future income.
According to the U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, those with some college averaged $31,990, those with an associate's degree averaged $37,030, those with a bachelor's degree averaged $44,970 and those with a master's degree or higher averaged $59,230.
These statistics suggest students may want to consider a future beyond an undergraduate degree.
Once a student figures out the career they want to pursue, the student can seek guidance through an appointment in the career services office located above the campus bookstore.
Along with choosing a major, a student needs to consider that a bachelor's degree in one area may simply allow them to check the box on an application, confirming they have a college degree, rather than using the content they were taught in their classes.  For example, professors in the psychology department warn students to be cautious in getting only a bachelor's degree in psychology because they will be competing with students in other departments that only received a bachelor's degree in the humanities as well as sociology, criminal justice, English and others. Students need to realize that they may need to further their education to have an opportunity to get a job in a competitive workforce.
Students can also improve their resume by being proactive in applying and participating in internships.
"Today, employers favor prospective employees who have done not only one internship but multiple internships," said Susanne J. Grossman in the article Why You Should do an Internship. "An internship makes the classroom's abstract theories and learned examples concrete by placing the student in a real life work situation with real life co-workers performing actual professional tasks," said Grossman.
Also, when talking with professors who have participated in internships themselves, they talk about how an internship in their field of study was their defining moment in which they realized that they were pursuing the correct career for their future.  
Another benefit to participating in an internship is that an internship can turn into a future job that may lead to a career.
Southeastern offers a number of internship opportunities which can be found on the Southeastern website and guidance about internships can be sought out in career services.
Study abroad programs are also offered at Southeastern that can be helpful for a future career in more ways than one.
"There are two good reasons to do [study abroad] and they are interrelated," said Dr. Kent Neuerburg. "One personal and the other professional. From the personal aspect, it will open your eyes to the global environment we are all living [in]. Openness to diversity, the experience to diversity is valuable. Most companies and most employers now are specifically looking for employees that have some form of experience with diversity because our culture is becoming more diverse here in the states. Many of the [study abroad programs at Southeastern] are offering courses directly related to a student's major. In those situations, the person is developing a different and deeper understanding of their discipline and doing it in a way that can't be replicated here on campus."
The study abroad programs offered on campuses will show up on their transcript as courses taken in school.
A student does not have to start their resume in college, but it is good to start the resume process as soon as possible.
Professors warn that the resume is the first thing a future employer notices about you even before meeting face to face. You need to start thinking about it early. Make sure to put as much information on it as possible to make yourself look "too good to be true" in the employer's eyes.
According to Neuerburg, a study abroad program can show an employer that you are a risk taker and willing to participate and do tasks that place you outside of your comfort zone which can make you more qualified at the different task that may arise in the workplace.  
Jobsearch.about tells of how it is important to show all your accomplishments while in college such as your GPA, any leadership positions held, activities you participated in, jobs, awards or any other college participation.
Participation in school organizations or clubs is also another way that a college student can get ready for a future career.
According to college.usatoday.com, Greeks are more likely to graduate by 20 percent than non-Greeks and David Stollman, co-founder of CAMPUSSPEAK says that Greek organizations will also help to improve leadership and interpersonal skills.
"I really see that there's a great correlation between those skills being developed and the ability to be successful in any endeavor," said Stollman. "Not necessarily just famous-successful, like a president or CEO, but successful as a community leader or a small business owner."
Outside of Greek life, joining any organization can help to lead to a future career.
According to Christine Adler, writer for MyFootpath LLC, an online tool for finding a career path, college organizations help to network with people who have similar interest, connect with people who may be on the same career path and tell you of resources that will help in getting hired after graduation.
Along with the real experience that may come with being in an organization, actively participating in a school oraganization shows employers that you are able to handle multiple responsibilities while in college.
"Everyone knows that college life can be hectic," said Adler. "Aside from class and homework, many students work in order to supplement their income, or even to get through school. Joining a student organization might seem like you're just adding another thing to your plate, but there are benefits to that. In the work force, it is rare to ever get one task assigned at a time. [Organization qualities] is a learned skill and being in a student organization shows the employer that you've had some practice."
One other important point that each professor said about starting your career in college is do your research. There are more opportunities out there than you realize and the internet is a great tool to find out exactly what is offered. Also, do not be afraid to seek guidance from your advisor, college career services or a trusted professor.