<p>Though I never tried to influence my kids’ choices of majors, I did try to help them see what part of their educations would single them out and make them more qualified than the next guy. For S it was his cartography/GIS skills, for D her ability to speak Spanish. Would they have discovered these skills elsewhere (cc, etc.)? Perhaps, but in reality it was being in exciting programs at college that first brought these subjects to their attention, along with professors and opportunities they may not have experienced otherwise.</p>