"I love my major but what can I do with it?"

There's always been a balance between following your head and following your heart when picking a college major. Now, in the third year of the most challenging job market in decades, that degree in medieval studies, might seem like an unwise decision.  

But experts say you're not doomed to career purgatory, even with the most general or esoteric major. Unless a company demands candidates with a specific degree – and often when they say they do, it's negotiable – there are ways to make yourself the right fit.

Decide what you want to do. Sure, that's easier said than done. A good way to figure out where you might want to go is... the major itself. "You probably didn't just pick a major at random; there was at least some passion in that area, and if you have some passion for that area you can almost always find overlap between the degree and a career," says Kelley Rexroad, HR strategist and contributor to the book, "The Conscious Entrepreneur."

Interview professionals in the field. If you know the area you'd like to pursue, seek out mentors through professional networking groups in your city, says Rexroad. "Ask them how they got their first jobs and how they moved up. Chances are, their career wasn't a direct path and they didn't have the perfect major for where they ended up." 

Assess your value.  Before you assume you're unemployable, take a look at all the reasons a company would need and want you, says Megan Pittsley, a job market consultant at outplacement firm Lee Hecht Harrison. "Approach it from the perspective of your economic value to a company. And don't just say 'I'm a hard worker' or 'I have good communication skills.' Those aren't enough. You have to be the solution to a company's specific problem."

Apply what you know. You probably have many transferable skills, even if you don't know it, says Rexroad. "If you've been in clubs, worked on the school paper, had jobs, participated in clubs, or did volunteer work where you gained specific skills that are valuable to employers."

Do an internship. If you need more skills, go for a formal internship in your field of choice. Even if you're out of school, there are still internship opportunities available in every conceivable area (employers love free labor). Internships are now the best foot in the door for a full time job, and, as a side benefit, they can sometimes show you that the career might not be the right one for you.

Manage your parents' expectations. If your parents paid for all or part of your education, they may feel like they have a big say in what you should be doing. They may be trying to help, but their panic over your job prospects make the situation more stressful, according to Barbara Safani, president of job search counseling company, Career Solvers. "Go to a counselor or someone with objectivity to mediate the situation and help you and your parents look at the bigger picture and find some strategic solutions for developing a career."

Think hard about a secondary degree. If you've suddenly discovered what you want to do and there's a degree program for that, go for it. But don't assume that will be the magic bullet, Safani says. "Skills and work experience are crucial. If you're a waiter for years and suddenly get a master's in accounting, that degree might not give you a leg up over someone with actual accounting experience. Education is only one piece of the professional identity."