Next to getting married, choosing an education that leads to the right career is one of the biggest commitments you make in life. Which is why it’s odd that people don’t spend more time getting to know (i.e. “dating”) several careers before choosing one. In fact, you wouldn’t even buy a new shirt to wear on a date without trying it on first, so why are we generally cavalier about committing to careers we know very little about?

To help you untangle the knotty mess of confusion we get ourselves into when considering college degrees and career choices, I suggest you “date” a few careers first. This isn’t nearly as scary as it sounds, considering there is little chance a career will break up with you right before your sister’s wedding or cheat on you behind your back. You’re more likely to pursue the college degree that leads you to the career of your dreams if you follow these easy steps.

Step 1: Interview

Have you ever looked at someone doing a job and said to yourself, “That’s what I want to do?” But how do you really know if that’s true? Are you familiar with everything it takes to do that job, let alone how much education or training it would take to get there?

Before you commit to several years of college tuition for a degree that might end up being about as useful as used tissue, meet and interview people who already have the job you’re considering. And not just one person in the industry, but several; including the ones who are a little disillusioned with the way their careers turned out. That’s not to say you want them to talk you out of it, but you do want a realistic, down-to-earth rendition of what it takes to be whatever it is you want to be. Make sure you ask about issues that could be important down the road as well, such earning potential, the amount of free time you’d have, and if the job is family friendly. Don’t be afraid to get personal. This is your chance to “get to know” a career without taking it home to meet mother.

Step 2: Volunteer

The best way to understand the day-to-day workings of a job is to do it for a while, even if you don’t get paid. Obviously, no one is going to hire you without the proper credentials, however, I seriously doubt they’d turn you away as a volunteer. In this economy nobody refuses free labor. Granted, you may not be able to do the exact job you want to pursue (for example, you can’t practice law without a license), but you will be able to work side-by-side with the type of professionals you hope to someday become.

Plus, not only does volunteering give you some idea of what’s it’s like to have a particular career, it also helps you build a resume within that industry. It never hurts (when interviewing for real jobs) to have a little work experience under your belt regardless of the career you choose.

Step 3: Take a Class

Even though you don’t want to actually commit to a degree or college until you get a career in your crosshairs, there’s nothing wrong with enrolling in one or two classes in the major you think you want to pursue – just to see if the curriculum even remotely resembles what you thought it would be. (Think of it as “trying on” a college degree program.) It’s a great way to tell if you’ll like (or be successful in) the classes you have to take in order to pursue the career you think you want.

Online colleges and community colleges are great places to start, being that they’re typically more flexible (and have an easier admission process) than your standard state university. In fact, some colleges allow you to audit classes for free. Or you can sign up for a state university’s extension program, which usually offers the exact same classes, curriculum, and teachers as those used in the university’s college degree programs.

Step 4: Visit a Career Counselor

You’re never too old or too smart to benefit from good advice. You may think you know everything about choosing a career, but you really don’t. Career counselors are trained to figure out what career or vocation would be right for you, based on a series of interviews, tests, and transcript data. Of course, you’re always free to pursue whatever college or career you have you your heart set on. And if you choose to move in the direction your heart leads (regardless of what a counselor says), at least you have practical advice to fall back on, should you change your mind later.

Plus, career counselors give sensible education and career advice to specific demographic groups like working or single moms, or folks who need financial aid. Quite often the only way these programs come to light is through a career counselor.

As anyone who’s pondered college can tell you, choosing a career can be an overwhelming task. Oh sure, there are those people who’ve known since they were five that they wanted to a dentist, fireman, or teacher. But unfortunately, most of us still don’t have a clue as to exactly what it is we want to do with our time until we’ve wasted a good portion of it travelling down the wrong path. Don’t let that happen to you.

When people are struggling themselves and have less money the first thing to do is get rid of unnecessary spending. Generally, they start by cutting out the vacations, expensive clothing, eating out and when that isn't enough then they cut donations and other spending in order to make ends meet.

Because of tighter pocketbooks food banks and charities this year are struggling because there are more people needing help and less people donating. Especially, with the holidays coming food banks may not be able to feed some of the needy, many of which are families. The situation is dire and charities are trying to find more ways to get people to contribute.

Charities are now asking Congress to create a tax incentive so that more people will donate. They also want the government to expand federal nutrition programs and spend more on programs to help people prepare for work. Charities believe that with the governments help there will be more donations which means enough food to go around.

At one Seattle food bank they have over 2,500 visitors on busy days which is up from 1,800 just last year. Josh Fogt the manager of Northwest Harvest in Seattle reported that "In our 42-year history, we have never witnessed a demand for our services like we are seeing now." The nonprofit groups are being forced to handle more people with fewer resources.

Even though many of us have a decreased incomes, or even no income we can still find a way to contribute. It doesn't have to be money, it can even be a couple cases of Top Ramen or whatever you can afford. It doesn't have to be much, but every little bit helps. However, if you can't give even a penny, you can go and contribute your time. Volunteer to help out at a nonprofit organization.

It doesn't matter how dire you think your circumstances are, there are always people that are worse off than you. Take the time this Thanksgiving to remember everything that you have and the importance  your loved ones play in your life. Give of yourself and you will feel better, because you helped someone else in need.

But if you are struggling this season there are organizations out there that can help you. And if you have enough food on your table and clothes on your back give thanks by donating. There is a dire need out there and more than 14.6 percent of U.S. households are lacking the food to lead a healthy life.

Hunger affects everyone. Donations are not only used to help the homeless,but seniors, children, along with many of your friends and neighbors. This recession is affecting everyone including the lower and middle classes. Give what you can because fellow Americans are lacking the basic necessities and the government can't do everything.