Choosing a university course is an incredibly hard decision, and your choice will not only affect the next few years of your life, but also the direction your career takes. You’ll want to ensure you choose a subject that you enjoy, and that will enable you to find a lucrative occupation in the future. There are several different types of courses available at a wide range of universities, so choosing how and where you study will also be a key aspect of your decision. No matter how tough the decision seems, remember that what you choose to study, and the institution that you attend, is not the be all and end all of everything. There will be plenty of opportunities for you to change your mind, or convert to a different career, so there is no harm in being bold with your course choices. Here are a few things for you to take into consideration when making your choice.
Difficult courses to get into
Some courses are a lot more competitive than others, and this is mostly due to the high demand for professionals in these sectors. Applied studies are courses that directly translate into the real world, and offer up immediate opportunities for employment. Courses which are under high demand include: Social Work, Elementary and Secondary Education, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, and Social Science. You may find these courses are difficult to get into, so it’s useful to partake in extracurricular activities which you can put on your CV to make you a more desirable candidate. Try and get involved in relatable projects, such as volunteering at a school if you would like to be a teacher, or work shadowing at a psychologist’s office if you would like to study social science.
Courses you didn’t even know existed
Explore all of the different courses available to you, as there may be subjects out there that you haven’t even considered. The careers that people choose to undertake are a lot more varied in modern society, and that means that college opportunities have had to adapt in order to accommodate; nowadays accessible courses are not just limited to basic subjects such as the sciences, mathematics, English and business studies.
If you are interested in science but unsure about a career as a chemist or theoretical physicist, you could look into a degree in Astronautics. If you like animals, but don’t have the temperament to be a veterinarian, why not study Equine Science as an alternative? If you would like to work in writing, but are not interested in studying the common English Literature or English Language courses, then you could take a class in Publishing or even Creative writing. Make sure that you have a look at all of the different possibilities, and don’t be afraid to be imaginative in your search, as the likelihood is that there will be something out there which is right for you, that you might not have thought existed.
Choosing a subject
Choosing a subject is the most daunting task, as it can have a direct impact on the route your future employment takes. Create a list of different subjects that you feel might be right for you: to begin with, include any and all classes that interest you, and then you can construct a shortlist later.
It is important to assess yourself in order to determine what subjects would be most suited to you. Consider what your likes and dislikes are, and how that might affect your attitude towards certain courses and future career prospects: you are more likely to do well if you enjoy the course, as you will be more engaged and motivated to succeed. Narrow down exactly where your interests lie, and determine early on which subjects you can rule out as not being suited to you.
Read up on course guides and information booklets about the job sector you are interested in entering into. For example, if you are considering entering the healthcare sector, then a useful source of information might be the Ultimate Medical Academy career guide.
Be honest with yourself regarding your strengths and weaknesses, as there is no point in taking a course, and pursuing a career, which you will eventually end up struggling in. For example, you might have considered becoming an Editor if you are creative and a skilled wordsmith, but if you don’t have the patience to labor through extensive workloads of text day after day, then you may find the work too monotonous. Consider what the most important values are to you, in terms of what you are seeking to gain from future employment. Money, opportunities for socialization, ethics and the socio-economic status of a job can all be key influencers in deciding how suitable a job role is for you. Take these factors under serious consideration when choosing a subject, and you will be more likely to find a role that is right for you. If you are still not sure, contemplate what your aptitudes are, as often the best careers complement your natural abilities. You may be able to find an aptitude test online to help you determine what careers your personality type would be most suited towards, and to what areas your skills would be best applied.
Employment availability
No matter how interesting you may find the course, if the job outlook is poor, then you might want to think about whether it is the right course of action for you. Studying at university can be quite expensive, so to then leave college and not get a job is obviously not the ideal outcome. However, if you feel you are definitely pursuing the right career for you, then don’t let low employment rates stop you from going on that course. You can reduce the amount of competition you will face by scoring highly on your coursework and exams during your time at university. You can also find ways to boost your curriculum, such as volunteering, as this will make you a more attractive candidate to potential employers.
If you don’t have a specific goal of what career you aspire to have, then it may be worth contemplating applying for courses which have a high employment availability after graduation, as this will provide you with stable career prospects for the future.
Choosing the right course for you
Explore each course in detail, as although subject names may stay the same from course to course, the content of each may vary significantly. In particular, look at the individual modules which will be covered over the entirety of the course, and identify whether they all seem relevant to your interests and career aspirations.
Research the tutors teaching each course, and find out whether they are accredited professionals within their respective fields. While all tutors will have the knowledge required to get you through the course successfully, a tutor who has wider endorsements is more likely to be a more engaging lecturer, as they will have a greater passion for the subject they teach. See if you can find out what the average pass rate is for the course, as this will be a good indication of the standard of teaching.
Choosing how and where to study
Some colleges can be more difficult to get into than others, so consider all of your options when choosing the one you would like to go to. Applying to university can be a long process, so you want to make sure you are putting in applications to the right places. The cost of attending university doesn’t determine how good the quality of education will be, so don’t assume that you have to attend an Ivy League university just to get yourself a good career.
When looking at the prospectus of each university, look at what subject areas they specialize in, as those are the classes likely to receive more attention and financing. Find out if there are extra opportunities available to you, such as being able to study abroad or getting assistance with work placements. Discover all the extracurricular activities on offer, and see if there are any societies which you would be interested in joining. In order to enjoy your time at college, you’ll benefit from going to a university in an area which will support an active social life. Think about how far you will be willing to travel from your hometown to go to college, and also what accommodation will be made available to you. If possible, get a student viewpoint by talking to people who attend the college, and find out how satisfied they are with the standard of education and the quality of their lifestyle.
There is also the option of taking part-time courses or doing online studies if you feel that you would benefit from doing so. Online studies are useful for people who need to work full time, or who have other commitments, such as raising children or caring for a loved one.
The most important part of your decision is choosing what is suitable for you, so don’t feel pressured into what other people feel you should do, or feel the need to follow in the footsteps of your peers.
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