As I look out my window and see what I hope is the last of the winter snow, others are turning their attention to the next big event on the horizon: graduation. I have learned that March is certainly the time when the warmer air, longer days and greener vistas make people eager to discuss that tassel.

For traditional high school students, graduation means that school is ending. For many, they will enter college in the fall, having already chosen among their acceptances. For our adult learners who are finishing adult diplomas and equivalency examinations, this season usually means a new beginning. For both of those learners, this spring means there are big decisions to make.

There was a time in our society that one could simply choose to leave high school. Dropping out meant there were entry-level positions and labor-based industries that would readily hire them. All they needed to do was prove they could work hard.

Today, these are not the conditions that a dropout experiences.

Jobs became harder and harder to find. Nearly every employer wants to see a high school credential. Furthermore, we are experiencing a new inflation where even that credential is unsatisfactory. Educational researchers and analytics firms are calling this “academic inflation,” “upcredentialing,” and one Internet denizen called it “degreeification.” Today’s graduates and job seekers are finding that more and more job postings are requiring a higher education just to get their resumes on a hiring manager’s desk.

We have to face it: education is an imperative in our society and we need to commend those decisions that lead students to gainful opportunities.

That is why College4ME-Androscoggin is kicking off a new campaign.

C4ME anticipates this to be a new signature event alongside its already-popular College Day in December when we discuss college with Androscoggin’s kindergartners. Participation in this new event is as simple as Twitter and Facebook. Students at all of Androscoggin County’s high schools just need to hashtag #AndroscogginDecides and post what they want to do when they finish their secondary education.

This is a celebration of decisions and not just college in particular. You may wonder, “Didn’t she just say that everybody needs to go to college?” Indeed, I did, but here is the idea: decisions are the first step to meaningful growth and development.

A student needs to know who they are, what they want, and how they fit into the world. There are so many experiences that do this for a person. Universities, colleges and community colleges offer so many opportunities to grow and change, but so do gap year programs, volunteerism, travel, apprenticeships, internships, service, faith exploration, recreation and many more. What the College4ME-Androscoggin committee wants to see is decisions.

Anxiety about the future is a real condition and each of us working in education knows just how hard it is to pick a path. The caution I issue — and I am sure my colleagues will agree — do not waste time on indecision. If you did not apply to colleges because you procrastinated or because you think you are not college material, do not hesitate to follow your heart and see what is out there.

We spend so much time celebrating college entrance that we often forget to celebrate the students who choose other developmental opportunities. I have met students from the Student Conservation Association, AmeriCorps, Pathway Vineyard’s Heroic Leadership Institute, City Year, Outward Bound, the National Outdoor Leadership School, and all branches of the military, to name a few.

Truly, the best part about all of those choices is that students will often get credit for the experience when they do go to college. Many of those organizations have articulated agreements with colleges and universities to apply credits toward degree programs they may enter. For example, NOLS is a fully accredited institution and alumni may continue their studies at any institution that accepts transfer credits from the University of Utah, the institution who externally moderates and accredits their courses.

For other experiences such as apprenticeships, military service or work-based learning, many college and universities have what we call Prior Learning Assessment. These departments work with students to evaluate their life experiences and turn those experiences into college credits through either documentation or a portfolio.

Yes, college is a high demand, but the more adventurous you are, the more you will find that society is rising to the occasion to make sure that everybody has a fighting chance at being college-ready.

All you need to do is decide.

Sara M. Flowers, Ph.D, is director of adult and community education of the Lisbon Public School Department, an adjunct faculty member of the Maine College of Health Professions and a College4ME-Androscoggin Culture Committee member.