To be able to pay off their  student loan debts, most students and graduates are forced to change or shift career. We live in a world where most people choose job security rather than chasing their dreams and passions.

According to Fond du Lac ,many college students start off with an idealistic sense of a career choice and how they will make a living. As they near graduation - or, in some cases, upon graduation - the reality of their student loan debt burden can force a change of plans.

Mary Hatlen, director of career services at Marian University in Fond du Lac said that "Some people know from the time they are children exactly what they want to be when they grow up,"

 "On the flip side, there are those students who haven't a clue what they want to do, and the majority of them, as they peruse ideas, are not looking at dollar signs as the deciding factor."She added.

Mark Kantrowitz, the publisher of Cappex.com which is a free website about planning and paying for college, said: "students should not change their majors or their passions, even if the job prospects are not financially fruitful".

Here's are things you can do to avoid a career shift due to student loan debts.Make smart financial decisions.Don't  enroll into the most expensive school.Look for ways to cut down your expenses.

Needs versus wants. 'It's a slippery slope between what you need and what you want," Kantrowitz said.What is a need? It is something  you can't live without.What you don't really need is a special coffee every morning."

Find the Balance.Hatlen said that some students are filled with plans and others are filled with passion. The goal is to find a way in which they can have both.

Don't wait until after graduation before looking at your student loans.The common mistake of college students is they only pay attention to their student loan debts after graduation.

Hatlen said that students need to learn not just a career but lifelong skills, employability skills, what motivates them and how they can effectively explore paths in which they know the job salary.

More career tips and advice at Jobs & Hire.