DR. WALLACE: I'm in the 12th grade and will be attending Texas Tech University next fall. I'm a good student (A- average) and I should do well in college.

My problem is that I don't know what to major in because I'm not sure what I want to do once I start working. My parents keep pressuring me to enter the field of law, but I'm not sure I want to be a lawyer. Is it necessary to know what you want to do for employment before going to college? — Nameless, Houston, Tex.

NAMELESS: Very few college freshmen know what career they ultimately want to pursue when they are beginning college. And many of those who think they know end up changing their mind. Part of the point of attending college is to learn enough to make an informed career choice.

There is no need to rush into this important decision right away. Flexibility, a keen interest in a range of subjects, and broad general knowledge will serve you well no matter which profession you finally choose.

What you do need to know is what is in your heart. What do you value, what are your interests, and what kind of difference do you want to make in your life?

Trust me, with a college diploma in your hand, you will know what career path you will take. I entered college thinking to work as a sales representative for a large successful company.

I wound up teaching high school English and coaching varsity basketball and I enjoyed my career in education to the maximum!

GIVE YOUR MARRIAGE A CHANCE TO SUCCEED

DR. WALLACE: Please help me. I started fooling around when I was 17 and got pregnant, so I had to get married. I was lucky the father was decent and married me to give our baby a name.

Although my husband is a perfect father and a loving husband, I just don't think I love him and I am thinking about getting out of this marriage. I recently met another guy who is very attracted to me and he really turns me on. What do you think I should do? — Confused, Kansas City, Mo.

CONFUSED: Stick it out and avoid making the biggest mistake of your life. If your husband was a jerk or, a bad father, you might have an excuse for thinking about ending the marriage. But your husband is neither. As you gain maturity and self-discipline, you can learn to love him.

Marriage is never easy at any age. Nobody ever said it was. A successful marriage requires total dedication to the family by both husband and wife. Be thankful you have a loving husband who is a perfect father. You are young and inexperienced at being a wife and a mother. Please give your marriage a chance to succeed!

Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. E-mail him at [email protected]. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.