When you choose to go to business college, there is more to decide than simply where to go. Once you’ve chosen your preferred institution, you also need to choose the program or concentration that will best fit your goals. How should you approach this, when there are so many choices out there? Accounting, marketing, management, finance—whatever you choose you ultimately want to make sure your chosen program will get you to where you want to be.

1. Look at Past Success

When evaluating business college programs, you should look at their track record. How many graduates have they had in the past five years? How many of these are working in the field and what is their average salary? You should also evaluate the historical job record of the place you are planning to work. How high is the unemployment rate? What about the cost of living? Make sure your chosen track has played out well for its past students.

2. Look at Future Potential

Once you’ve checked out the history of your preferred programs, you should also research their future earning potential. What is the projected growth of the profession, in terms of number of employees and salary earnings? There may be economic factors in play that make certain business college programs more attractive than others.

3. Try Something New

If you’re still undecided after looking at past and future performance of these business college programs, think about areas you’ve always wanted to try. Upgrading your education is a perfect opportunity to test out new areas in a low-risk environment. Most business college programs incorporate an internship or practicum experience, allowing you to try new areas of business in the real world before committing to a career.

4. Follow Your Passion

Another indicator that could help you decide your business college program is to look to your current skills. Chances are that you have several areas of strength that you can leverage in your college program. For example, if you’re really good at details and spreadsheets, you might be cut out for accounting, and if you’re excellent at trading stocks and making investments, you might consider finance. These skills can be a window into a potentially rewarding college program and career.

5. Talk to Someone

If all else fails, reach out to your business college guidance department for help choosing a program. These professionals are there to make sure you get the most from your education and can help you find areas of interest, evaluate your current skills, and determine a good path for the future. Not enough students take advantage of these services, don’t make the same mistake!

It can be intimidating to choose a business college program. There are so many offerings to consider, and it sometimes feels like a decision that will last a lifetime. With careful research and reflection into future and past program performance, as well as your skills and interests, you’ll be prepared to make a decision that will benefit you for years to come.