Remember how you used to answer the “What do you want to be when you grow up?” question? You were probably specific. You wanted to be a firefighter with big muscles just like Hulk Hogan. Or you wanted to be a beautiful actress who got to marry a handsome boy from *NSYNC.

You were specific then, and chances are that you are specific now. You want to work at a Fortune 500 company in the next 10 years. Or maybe you want to open your own dance school in a major city. You know exactly what you want to do.

But sometimes it’s not that simple, especially not with the economy the way it is today.

There was never this many major opportunities in history. People used to just open restaurants with a business degree, if even that. They didn’t major in hospitality management. People also used to start out as a paperboy and work their way up to editor, so you can say the same about the fairly new necessity of a journalism major as well.

This only means that with narrower fields, people will be racing for the same one, single job. So how do you get a one-up on others? Get an internship, even if your major doesn’t require one. Talk to your professors if you don’t feel as though you’re prepared, they may know a professional you could speak with who could give you a head start.

And never underestimate the power of a connection. As much as you’re sick of mom or dad suggesting you call their friend Pat or Dennis, call them. Even if they’re not the person you needed to talk to, maybe even they can point you in the right direction. People will always be more apt to hire someone they know previously than a totally new face they know nothing about.

Those of you with majors that don’t even do too well when the recession is in good shape (art, philosophy, English), think about graduate school or a minor. It never hurts to try art education, or minor in business as a philosophy major. This way you can get one career going while you continue to work on your first love.

It’s a rough world out there and things aren’t getting any easier, so make sure you have a one-up on others when you enter the job market.

The above editorial is the consensus opinion of the Daily Kent Stater editorial board.