>Some general things:
>- talk to working professionals in the specific field that you are choosing (and also the people that hire them) find out what they have and what people are looking for in formal education

Thats what I'm doing here!

>- sign up for summer work interships (we call it Co-op up here) in the industry. Go for jobs where you will learns tons and have a wide variety

I've got a job as a VFP Programmer and I also release products in Delphi

>- during your summer or other semester breaks earn your MCP, CNA, MCSD or MCSE certifications related to your interest

Whats a CNA?