Choosing what
to study at university is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make as a young
person. So how do you decide what’s right for you? Should you follow your heart
and study something you’re really passionate about, regardless of where it
might lead you, or should you instead opt for a degree with a more secure
career route? Here two students argue both sides of this debate.
According
to Aimee Wragg, “Study what you love”.
Ask students
what they’d study of guaranteed their dream job and it’s likely that the answer
won’t correspond with that they actually choose. This is often because their
aspirations have been diminished by those who “know best”.
Most advice
on which degree to study is concentrated purely on obtaining a job in the future.
We are discouraged by many from pursuing abstract interests because,
apparently, the prospects are unrealistic.
But is it
really worth taking an unappealing route on the basis that it could possibly
increase your chance in securing a job? It’s difficult to enter employment from
any angle, so why not try with a subject you enjoy?
The concept
of standing by what you love despite the risks in being dismissed by some –
namely disapproving parents and teachers – but I believe it to be more sensible
than focusing solely on a job.
Having a
genuine interest in something can’t be faked and it’s the surest way to
succeed. As Steve Jobs famously said, “the only way to do great work is to love
what you do”.
In the long
term deciding what to study the subject of your choice is generally more beneficial.
Simple factors such as a person’s happiness and sense of fulfilment are
overlooked in this argument, even though they are largely affected by career
choices. These factors aren’t just based on income, either studies have shown
that there is little correlation between people’s salaries and their job
satisfaction.
The fact is,
there are few reasons not to study what you genuinely want to. Achieving in the
subject area that appeals to you is always possible and if you don’t do it,
other people will. I believe you have to make the right decisions for yourself,
because no argument against this will counteract your regrets when you see
people of the same age and ability as you excelling in your dream job.
“Be
realistic” says Kerry Provenzano
University is
all about doing something you love, right? Well, not quite. Choosing to study
something you are passionate about might not be as beneficial as you think.
When you
study at university essentially you are making and investment: one worth up to,
and sometimes over R300 000. That is a lot of money.
You don’t
have to know much about investments to know that the purpose of them is to make
profit. Your degree is a long term investment in which you are profited with
knowledge. However, investing money that will someday need to be paid back
means that your profit needs to be financial, not just academic.
So if you are
naturally gifted with numbers, but have a real passion for travel, opting to
study geography at university might be a mistake. You may find you aren’t quite
sure what to do with your degree once you graduate, and find yourself knowing
your are capable of the mathematical jobs you see advertised, but have no
qualification to prove it.
There is a difference
between your interests and your career strengths. If you think you could really
crack the world of modern art then great, but if art is just something you
enjoy on a weeknight, perhaps reconsider your choice to study fine art.
If you are
currently choosing a course at university, or thinking of changing your course,
my advice to you is simple; don’t confuse your hobby with your career
prospects. Play to your strengths, not your passions. If you are lucky enough
to have the two overlap, then great! But bear in mind hat with the right job there
will always be time for things you enjoy, regardless of whether you studies for
them at university or not.
Have a look at the career choice Prestige Academy has to offer you. Visit our website - www.prestigeacademy.co.za
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