Your course of study in college or in the university has a lot of role to play in shaping and securing your future. It also tells how relevant you will be to the society, and the world economy at large. That is why you need to be careful when choosing a course to study in the higher institutions. Don’t just accept an admission offer to study a course which cannot better your future, just because it is on a fully funded scholarship basis. As you apply for admission to study in your country or abroad, online or offline, first make sure you have taken time to research on the various courses offered in those institutions. In this article, you will learn the various factors to consider, and things you need to put in place before choosing a course of study, both abroad and in your country. You will also learn how to how and when to choose between furthering your studies and taking a job.
How to Decide whether to Further your Studies or to Take a Job (or Continue Working)
Most people get confused after their secondary school (college or high school), whether to further their education, or to take up a job (or continue working, for those who already have a job). Here are some tips to help you make the right/best decision:
First, you need to identify the category you fall into
We have four major categories of people that ask this question:
- High School Leavers.
- People who wish to Change their Career.
- People Seeking Promotion.
- Those who need a Break from their Career.
Once you have identified the category, you fall into, go to the next tip.
Next, discover why you wish to Study, and the Factors to consider when choosing the Right Course to Study
Discovering why you wish to study will help you know the factors to look out for when choosing a course of study. Here are the main reasons why each of the four categories of people we mentioned above wish to study, and the factors to consider when choosing a course:
- High School Leavers: To gain more educational qualifications. They need to choose courses that will give them skills, so as to be employable after graduation.
- People who wish to Change their Career: To start or switch to a new career. They need to look out for recognized/accredited courses, and also ensure they meet the entry requirements of the courses.
- People Seeking Promotion: To gain enough educational qualifications that will help them get promotion in their current workplace. They need courses that will help them acquire extra skills that will make them exceptional, and highly sought-after.
- Those who need a Break from their Career: To acquire new skills. Here, they need to consider their passions, and choose courses that will offer them skills they are passionate about.
The screenshot below summarized the four categories of people, their end goal, and the factors to look out for when choosing a course to study.
In general, everybody needs to always need to either update their knowledge/skills, or learn new one from time to time. This is to help you remain relevant in your field of work. Note that there are many online and offline skills you can acquire without actually going to higher institution. Some of these skills include: Programming, Video editing, Graphics design, Catering, Freelancing, Investing, etc. Check out: 5 Best Lucrative Skills You Can Learn Online for Free.
Now that you have identified the category you fall into, and have also known why you wish to study, and the factors to consider when choosing a suiting course, check out these further tips to help you make the best decision when it comes to choosing a course to study or program to take in the higher institution.
Check:
How to Choose the Right Course to Study or Study Program in the University
Are you looking for the Right Course or Study Program in the Higher Institution? Consider these Helpful Tips and Factors First:
Consider your Passion
Your passion has a lot of influence on your performance in any field. Do you really have passion in that field or course you wish to study in higher institution? Passion is what keeps you going during challenging moments or situations in that field or course of study. Do you have passion for the various subjects under that course/field of study? Make sure you have rightly answered these questions before you make up your mind to study that course in the university. But note that your passion for some things can die after some time. So make sure you check other factors before drawing the final line on the field or course of study to choose.
Explore and Research a list of Courses you are Passionate about and learn more about them
Once you create this list, explore and research about each of those courses in your list. This will help you know more about them, and the type of career you can get from each of them. There are many ways to source for these information. You can search the internet, the online programs and prospectuses of various schools or universities. Also, you can make inquiries and ask your family members and friends.
Are you still Confused on which Course to Choose? Then Meet a Professional Academic/Career Advisor
Many colleges or high schools have professional Academic Advisors that can help you choose a better course of study based on your abilities. You can book time with these academic advisors and seek their professional advice. But if you are looking beyond a course of study, into a career path to choose, then a professional Career Advisor or Career Counselor can be of great help to you. These career advisors/counselors will give you the various career paths you can go for, when you study a particular course. You will appreciate their advice more in years to come.
The Relevance of the Field of Study in Future
Various fields of study have varying degree of relevance in future time, and even in the economy of a country, and the world at large. The world keeps advancing, especially technologically, so make sure the field/course of study you are choosing will still be relevant in the society in years to come. For instance, if you are asked to choose between Physics and Robotics, which one would you go for, in terms of relevancy in future? Robotics of course, because Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation are the game changers for now.
Choose a Course that Supports your Plans after School (As an Entrepreneur or as an Employee)
There is this popular question that people ask – “After school what next?” Don’t wait until you graduate from the university/higher institution. Don’t wait until you graduate before you start planning your life after school. Start the planning even before you are admitted into the university. One of the ways to do this is to ensure you have a direction of your life after school. Do you wish to become an entrepreneur after school? Then go for practical courses (especially those that relate to business or entrepreneurship) that will help you stand out as an entrepreneur after school. The same applies to those who wish to work for a company after school.
How Lucrative are the Business Opportunities/Jobs in that Field?
One of the main reasons for going to school is to aim for a better life in future. Money is one of the things that makes life easier and better. So before you finalize on the field or course of study to choose, check how profitable the business opportunities in that field are (if you are a prospective entrepreneur). If you are planning to work as an employee, then make sure you research about the salaries of some top job opportunities in that field.
What is the Best Destination to Study your Choice Course?
Another challenge you must sought out before finalizing on studying a course, is the schools that offer it, and their locations/destinations. Does any university or higher institution in your country offer the course, or can it be studied abroad only? In a situation whereby the universities in your country offers the course, compare their syllabus or course contents with that of those abroad schools that offer the same course. One of the main aims of studying in higher institutions is to gain the possible best knowledge, and to stand out in your field of study. So use the real life/future industrial demands or expectations of graduates from such field of study to know the best study destination for that course.
Can you Afford the Cost of Studying your Choice Course, and if No, Is there a Way Out?
After finalizing the best study destination or location for your choice course, you also need to consider the cost of studying the course in that destination. Is it something you can afford? If no, can you easily get help via scholarship or study grants? There are some fully funded courses you can study abroad. So do well to check if your choice course falls into this category. If not, you have two major options here:
- Choose a course from the list of fully funded courses that is related to the choice course you chose initially.
- Change your study destination to the one you can afford, probably in your country.
See:
- Wanna Be a Successful Student? Here are 6 Important Tips for You
- Best UK Universities with Affordable Tuition Fees for International Students
Conclusion
You have learnt some of the tips to help you make the right decision whether to further your study or to take a job. You also learnt some tips to help you choose the best suiting course in the university. With this tips, go ahead and choose the right course of study.
