Friday, October 13, 2006

An interest and a future for decision making

Note : Long entry from me. I know I am a bit long winded.

Its the end of the year soon and many students (SPM and STPM) will be searching for a college or university to pursue their higher education. Now the big question is,


"Which bachelor degree do you intend to take?"

There will be a lot of education fair to educate and promote their course to students. However, which course is suitable for you after your SPM or STPM? This is the question you should ask yourself.


Here is a story i would like to share. After my SPM, i flew to Australia to begin my Foundation Years so i could do my Accouting Degree. However, my degree turned out to Information Technology Degree. So what happen in the middle of the story? I took interest in IT.


Many of us have our dream course and dream career. Now why do i say this? Simple. You get a degree so you could land yourself the job you want. HOwever, that doesn't happen all the time. I am not saying it won't happen but you must be prepared to work hard for it. I have friends who studied one degree but turned out doing something else after their graduation. When i asked them why the switch they told me the degree is just to fulfill someone or some personal objective. To fulfil personal objective is still quite fine but not doing the things supposed to be associated to the degree? Why not just straight do the thing you like and get a degree later. Or do the degree that you like. There will be many reasons but student should choose what they want to do. I know sometimes student's aim is to study a certain degree but they are turned down by the university (in the case of public university). However, students should not get worried because of that. They should look for alternative. Some are given the opportunity and some are lack the opportunity to do it. However, student still should not give up.


I remembered my dad used to ask me if i have chosen the course i wanted to do. When i eventually say the word yes the next question pop up.


"Is there a market required for this degree?"


In other words, this question meaning can a student find a job with this degree. This is another factor that you need to consider. Not just because that degree is trendy and everyone is taking it. What is the point if you take up a trendy degree and at the end of the day you cannot secure yourself a job. Students have to understand that obtaining degree is the starting point for them to work and start earning. Meaning also less dependent from the family. Able to move forward and go up the ladder too. However, all is not at end. Looking for a degree that market demands can be quite tough because you should also consider your interest. Here comes the next question.


"Do you like this course?"


If all ends with a no. Why do you want to take up a subject you don't like. You know you won't like it and even failing it. Yes, the degree is high in demand in the market but will you like the course that you will need to endure for 3 to 4 years? The expectation to perform and the pressure to finish assignment that you are struggling to cope while interest is not there is wasting time. At the end of the day, you will be feeling tired and started to have the feeling of redoing another course. As a result, money and time is wasted. Yes, i do have friends who gone through this. Including myself. However, i wasn't so bad. I took interest in IT when i started my Accounting first two semester before i make the jump. No doubt, today is the world of degrees. Unless you are a boss yourself then i have nothing to say.


The more conservative decision will be obtaining the degree that could earn loads of money. The more daring decision will be your interest to learn. Now let me tell you. No matter how the degree you choose you should always consider all this factors because you do not want to regret it later in your life. You do not want to force yourself to take a degree just because it can earn money but you don't have interest in it. However, in reality, who doesn't want a degree that earn money. In another reality, of all the things i learnt while pursuing my degree, not all has been applied in my work. All of it purely interest to learn (or you can call it working experience) and move further. Money will come eventually. The most important things is your interest. You cannot read a book by forcing yourself.


is sky the limit... choose a degree you are interest to pursue!

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think the most important is... What do you like now? As chinese saying that, "every field has their won champion" (Something like that la...) So, don't think of the market first, think of what they prefer first...

thumbelina said...

if you don't like paperwork...please don't do accountancy...it's not a threat!

i think degree is just a stepping stone. Please do plan for YOUR future. Don't think that just becos everyone is doing it...u just follow. Think wat u going to do with the degree. It might work for others...it might not work for u.