Facing the decision to enroll in a university course of study that will possibly determine the student’s future career is not easy. Nor is it a catastrophic event to decide to change disciplines in the middle of your studies, but if you want to save time and money it is much better to have things clear from the beginning.
There are many factors that influence this decision, and sometimes the youth of those aspiring to become university students or family pressure can play against them. Faced with this dilemma, professionals from the EssayAssistant advise taking into account certain points before enrolling.
Points to take into account before choosing a degree
- Value the vocation. There are careers, such as medicine or journalism, which have a high vocational component. But it is one thing to imagine yourself as a war reporter and quite another to study the necessary subjects or to translate that supposed vocation into reality. In these cases, it might help to talk to a professional in these disciplines, so that you have a closer vision of the reality of these jobs.
- Interest. If a career is chosen only because it is the one most recommended or because of family influence (the grandfather was a lawyer, as well as his father, and they expect their descendant to continue the family legacy by studying law), it will be very difficult for the student to succeed. There must be a component of interest on the part of the student and, although it is not understood from the outside, it is one of the most important factors.
- Professional opportunities. These opportunities must be taken into account, of course. Surely, studying for a degree like Fine Arts limits the possibilities of finding a job at the end of it. But it is also necessary to think that the labor market is constantly changing. Opting for studies that at a specific moment are the most demanded by companies may give the surprise that after five years they are no longer so, due to saturation of professionals in that field.
- Postgraduate studies. Nowadays (and especially after the reforms in education that are being carried out) doing a master’s or postgraduate degree after the bachelor’s degree is almost indispensable. So if you have opted for a career with few professional opportunities, you can complete it with a specialization.
- University centers. It is important to be informed about the university where you are going to study. Not all the centers are the same and the experience of studying for a degree in one or another can change a lot. There are some that do not have a good reputation (you can ask other students there) and others where the opposite is true.
- Languages. Studying in a bilingual center, or at least one that offers the possibility of studying languages at the same time as the chosen discipline can save time, money, and headaches in the future. In addition, it exponentially increases the chances of finding a job.
- Possibility of internships. In some degrees, such as Nursing, internships are mandatory, but not in others. Making sure that the center has a pool of internship offers in the sector is quite important, as it saves the student from having to offer his or her CV to companies. It will also be easier to get the agreement with the university and other bureaucratic procedures.
- Consult with a guidance counselor. In the institutes, there are usually people who help students to direct their future towards one option or another. The counselor can evaluate with the student what factors to consider or how he or she envisions pursuing one career or the other.
- Knowing all the options. Many times, only the most common careers are known, but there is no research on what other degrees may fit the student’s interests. For example, in the IT sector, there are multiple possibilities: from the basic degree in Computer Engineering to specializations such as a Master’s Degree in Information Systems and Technology Management.
- Don’t be in a hurry. The obligation to choose a career can be a lot of pressure. If you are not sure, it may be better to take a sabbatical year, go on a trip or look for a job to know what it is like to be tied to a schedule or to have a boss.
Final words
The choice of your college career is one of the most important decisions you will make in your life. It will shape your future career, as well as the social environment in which you will develop. All of this must be congruent with you, with your interests, convictions and needs.
There are both internal and external factors that influence this decision. Your skills, interests, personality and values are part of you. Your family environment, the socioeconomic situation of your country and the opportunities in the labor field will give you another perspective.
To make this decision accurately, it is important to balance what you want to do, what you are interested in and the opportunities available in the market. It may be easier to study a career in your country, or there may be more job opportunities abroad.
You need to explore both universities and companies you are interested in. This way you will have a broader picture of the environment, the job offers and the type of skills needed to achieve it. You can also take a vocational orientation test. This will help you define more clearly all your strengths, as well as the type of studies that best fit your desires and needs.
