It used to be true that if you had a college degree, you could almost be guaranteed a great job. Now, everyone has a college degree and it means virtually nothing, except that you won't be excluded from getting a job. A college degree is now assumed. You must have a degree to get a job, but a degree does not necessarily guarantee a job.

One reason is that a college degree is fairly easy to obtain these days. You can even take classes online, which requires virtually no effort. And there are many 'easy' degrees or degrees that simply do not translate into the real world of business, such as Poetry, History, English, Art, and basically all Bachelor of Art degrees. This is not to say that these degrees are worthless, only that most corporate jobs have nothing to do with poetry.

To make the most of your college degree, take more difficult classes. Get a degree in technology, business or science. These are more respected.

Consider graduate school to help you stand out. An MBA may make the difference between being hired or passed over for your dream job. Obviously law school and medical school will lead to more opportunities- even outside of the legal and medical world, these skills are very valuable.

If you have the opportunity to gain experience before entering the 'real world,' take it. Internships and other jobs during college will really help your resume to stand out.

Learning a second language is a huge benefit for finding a job in most parts of the world. Companies are looking for more people who can speak other languages. This helps the companies build a broader client base.

The competition is getting tough out there. Find a way to make your resume stand out!

Learn more about this author, Lauren Russell.
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