Choosing the right course to study after matric

There are hundreds of courses available at many tertiary institutions and choosing the right one for you can be challenging. Unfortunately, choosing the wrong course results not only in money wasted, but also wasted time and you might end up dropping out or being stuck in a career you don’t love.

We spoke to Educational Psychologist Stacey Cohen from Budding Minds about how to make the right choice when it comes to tertiary education.

“It is important to consider various factors when choosing a degree or course. Many students enter courses or degrees not knowing enough about it,” says Stacey.

She adds that “it is important to do your research about what the course or degree entails, the length of the course as well as the financial expectations of the courses and if there are bursary or scholarship options available.”

Learners also need to ensure they pick the right institution. For instance, the same course might have different modules and differ in duration depending on whether you are studying at a University or University of Technology or TVET. So, it’s important to consider which institution is best in line with the vision you have for your career.

Stacey warns against choosing a course “because a parent has suggested, or a friend is doing that course.” It is also not advisable to base your decision purely on the salary you could earn. Even though earning a high salary is good, being stuck in a career you hate for the rest of your life is not advisable. You can still make money by following your passion and climbing the corporate ladder.

“It is important to pursue a course or degree in which one finds passion, excitement and joy as that will ensure a better chance at success,” says Stacey.

Your personality also plays a huge role in the type of career you want to pursue.  For instance, if you are passionate about fixing things, you might want to follow a career in mechanical engineering rather than medicine.

“If a student is still unsure of which path to choose, they can go for a career assessment with an educational psychologist or at various tertiary institutions. This may help them choose the right course or degree for them,” says Stacey.

There are also plenty of online career aptitude tests you can take to help you determine which course is best suited for you, or you can also contact Stacey on [email protected].

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