In case college life wasn't providing enough distractions, it's already time to start thinking about when you have to leave the university bubble and -- all the parents together now -- get a job.

And just like your mother always told you, the earlier you start your homework, the easier it's going to be. Only now that extra head-start could translate into thousands of extra dollars. For many majors, there's no real payoff without a graduate or professional degree (pre-med, pre-law, some business tracks), and if you plan on pursuing one of these, you should get a good idea of your schooling, testing, and internship timeline within the first couple of years of college.

Even if you plan to go only as far as a bachelor's degree, it's a good idea to think ahead. Classes and internships that offer practical skills relevant to your future are going to be some of the most important things on your résumé, regardless of your choice of major, and they often fill up fast. Start gearing your summer activities toward your chosen career, gaining more specialized experience as you narrow down your choice -- your résumé and paycheck will thank you!

Hiring on the rise
It's good news for recent graduates! The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) reports an 11.2 percent hiring increase, and starting salary levels have risen in many fields. Entry-level chemical engineers stand to make the most money at $52,189 a year, and accounting majors continue to enjoy the fruits of a several-year incline at $41,110. Business administration/management majors are also doing well for themselves at $38,188, but top off that B.A. with an M.B.A. from a top-tier business school after you have a few years of work experience under your belt and you stand to make up to $140,000 a year, including signing bonuses (now that's a reason to plan ahead).

Annual average salary for Web-content writers with one to five years' experience ranges from a comfortable $33,250 to $45,500. Computer jobs in general are on the uptake again following a two-year decline in starting salaries, with computer science majors raking in $49,691 a year, although computer engineering is one of the only engineering disciplines to see a slight (0.3 percent) dip.

Money follows the competition
Keep in mind that there's a balance between the competition for positions in a given field and salary -- lucrative investment-banking jobs may pay the big bucks, but it's a cutthroat race to get one. Companies affiliated with accounting, commercial banking, and government extend more offers than most others and also pay well, which makes for a relatively safe bet when picking both a major and a career; television work, on the other hand, is hard to find and only pays around $22,000 a year to start.

Although you may pick a career and major based upon the salaries given to top positions, such as media, journalism, and life sciences, it's extremely wise to remember that in today's recovering economy, you may have to wait a lot longer for those upper-level spots than did past generations. Plan out a rough budget for your first couple of years out of college and make sure you'll be able to subsist on the average starting salary, taking into account location, cost of living, student loans, and travel expenses (such as whether you'll need a car). Things will get easier down the road, but the first few years are crucial to setting up a lifestyle pattern and credit.

Even if you haven't picked a career or even a major yet, it's still a good idea to get a feel for what types of jobs support what kinds of lifestyles. It's possible to make your living as a writer, but don't sign up for the Caviar of the Month Club right off the bat. Job fairs are an effective way to compare salaries, both between industries and within them. An advertising firm in New York pays a good deal more than a firm in Topeka, so the answer to paying your bills might not necessarily involve switching careers, just switching locations. Take advantage of your college's or university's career services office and pick your counselor's world-wise brain. Having one person's undivided attention focused on your future will seem like a luxury once you hit the real world, and if you play your cards and your transcript right, luxury is something you can start getting used to.

Starting Salaries for 10 Popular Majors*

Major	Average annual salary
Electrical engineering	$51,372
Accounting	$41,110
Economics/Finance	$40,906
Business administration/Management	$38,188
Marketing	$35,321
Political science	$32,999
English	$31,169
Biology	$28,750
Psychology	$27,791
Journalism	$27,646

*NACE Summer 2004 Salary Survey