CollegeSurfing Insider

No new questions today (e-mail me some!), so I’m settling in for my Monday night TV marathon… I watch “Prison Break” and “24″ live, Tivo “Heroes” to watch right after, and try to channel surf over to SoapNet to find out how Friday’s “General Hospital” cliffhanger is resolved. But, I reason, I’m not merely wasting away those ticking seconds. Oh no — I’m like Kiefer Sutherland’s Jack Bauer on “24″ — I’m picking up new career intel (that’s spy lingo for intelligence) every minute.

Here’s what I’ve learned just tonight:
1. Expertise in homeland security, telecommunications, and computer programming can save (or destroy) the world. Hmm… these career fields also happen to be hot and in high demand. Coincidence?
2. Personal situations often invade your work, but you have to try to separate the two. Otherwise, Chloe would have never been able to keep it together enough to locate her kidnapped husband Morris using satellite imaging.
3. Pain can be a strong motivator. Getting tortured by terrorists is not unlike working for an unreasonable employer. As soon as you can plot your escape (say, a new degree?), get the heck out of there!
4. Politicians are shady. OK, so I knew that already, but it’s really exaggerated on TV (or at least I hope it is).
5. Commercial break — Simon Cowell is mean, but there’s a reason to tune into “American Idol.” Think of passing those auditions as the ultimate job interview. Those who come across sloppy or unprepared won’t make the cut.
6. Speaking of commercials, did you notice all the Sprint phones being used by characters on “24″? Take note, aspiring marketing pros. Product placement is growing more popular since DVR users like me skip commercials.
7. You should always keep your eye on potential bad guys. I guess there wouldn’t be intense drama if no one broke the law on “24,” but if you try to take the easy way out — like earning a fake degree via a diploma mill, for instance — you will get caught. If you enroll in a career education program, make sure it’s accredited.

See? I wasn’t totally vegging out. Time for some super career lessons from “Heroes.”