Choosing a college course is a big decision. Months before you graduate in high school, your parents always ask you what course in college do you want to pursue. In simple term, what do you want to be? If you have a degree in your mind right now, congratulations! You won’t go through the
hassles of procrastination of finding one. But if you haven’t found one, here are my advice that you may take or leave.
1. Identify your goals. This is the first thing that you need to do. Identify your goals in life by looking into yourself. Ask yourself several questions: What is my goal in life? What are my dreams that I want to achieve? Superficial reasons why you are inclining to that course such as "because it is popular" or "because my friends also took it" is not healthy; there needs to be a deeper and more inquisitive reason why you choose this. For example, "I want to be a doctor to help sick people" or "I want to be a lawyer to protect other people especially the indigent." Through this, you plant a deeper root and foundation for the career that you are taking in.
2. Consider your talents. Ask yourself again, "What interest me?" A good example of this case was the character, Farhan in the Indian movie, Three Idiots. His father who sealed his fate since the day he was born, wanted him to become an Engineer so he studied one. However, deep down inside he loves to take pictures of wild animals because that makes him happy. Choosing a course that is related to your interest or hobby could bring satisfaction and an advantage because you have that skill already. For example, if you're passionate for writing, why not take writing-related courses such as Mass Communication or if you love to paint, Fine Arts would suit for you. Don’t you notice that whenever you are engaging in your hobby/interest, there’s a feeling of fulfillment because you love what you are doing.
3. Make a list. Write a list on the courses that you can think of based on your goals, interest and hobbies. By listing it, you will have an idea of what you want and you will not miss something.
4. Listen to your parents but don't forget to listen to yourself. Your parents definitely has a say on your college education. Dad said, "I want you to take Political Science because I want you to fulfill my dream to become a lawyer" or Mom said, "I want you to take Nursing because Nursing is the most popular course today." Yes, parents has suggestions and advices even wishes because after all, they're the one who took care of you, rear you and mold your character. Not to mention, they're also the one who will be spending your education. But before diving in to their suggestions, think about it. Who is going to study and who is going to run through four or five years in college? Not them, it's you. So listen to yourself, don't just 'feel' your decision, but rather have a stand. The problem of choosing a career that your parents want you to take begins after realization, if it will occur, that it is not for you as well as the pressure on your arms especially if that course is out of your league. Thoughts such as, "I don't like my course and I want to shift. But what if my parents don't want me to?" So think about it a hundred times and let your parents know about it.
5. Interview people who have graduated with the course. Correct me if I am wrong to conclude that most people who enter their college course never consult someone who had graduated from it. Or rather to put it simply, they don't have any slightest idea of what they are entering. Most of the students who will go to college and pursue a course have an idea of that course based on the bird's eyeview of other people, who never studied it. And when they asked one graduate, most students usually asked this one particular question, "is it hard?"
6. Research. This is somewhat synonymous with the saying, "Before you invest, investigate". Let's face it, college education is an investment, not only your parents but for you as well. The internet has a wide variety of information that it can offer about the course that you want to take with just a click away. Again, the best research that you can do is to ask other people who have a first-hand experience with the course/profession.
7. Think about the other factors. There are other factors that can affect your choice. Two of the things that can affect one's choice on college were on the financial aspect and the demand of the course in the market. The cost of the degree is no-joke. If you want to study medicine to become a doctor, you need to undergo a four-year undergraduate studies. Before entering medicine, you need to take the National Medical Admission Test. Once, you pass you need to spend another four years studying which roughly cost P75,000 above per semester. After which, another year for internship and another year for residency. (I am not discouraging to get medicine.) Yes, college education is expensive, as what I have said it is an investment. However, if you really want it, there’s no such thing as impossible, right?
The demand of the course in the market is also a factor. The question, "Can I find a job right away after graduating with this course?" sneaks into the picture. According to the Department of Labor and Employment, job mismatch is the culprit why the unemployment rate in the Philippines remain unchanged. Also, the stiff competition between applicants as well as the lack of job opportunity in the country contributes to unemployment. Last January 2014, DOLE has released the list of the 43 in-demand and hard to fill occupations. Among them were accountancy, medical technology and agriculture. Sadly, most high school graduates nowadays enroll to courses that they think that are popular and would bring them an opportunity to work abroad as soon as possible. Don't let yourself be a victim of delusion of making money fast in less than a year and become rich quickly, or going to work abroad and earn citizenship there.
College education is important. This is about your ambition in life and the path that you want to take. This will bring you opportunity starting off during job search until promotions. It is your arms in this world that is a competitive place where everyone are expected to come on top and where everyone can be trampled because they have none. This is about your parents' dream, an inheritance that they can give you for the rest of your life. And this is about your country, where your diploma can help, build, develop and uplift your community and our nation.
(Author's Note: This is what I learned after reading self-help books and realization hit me after failing twice.)
7. Think about the other factors. There are other factors that can affect your choice. Two of the things that can affect one's choice on college were on the financial aspect and the demand of the course in the market. The cost of the degree is no-joke. If you want to study medicine to become a doctor, you need to undergo a four-year undergraduate studies. Before entering medicine, you need to take the National Medical Admission Test. Once, you pass you need to spend another four years studying which roughly cost P75,000 above per semester. After which, another year for internship and another year for residency. (I am not discouraging to get medicine.) Yes, college education is expensive, as what I have said it is an investment. However, if you really want it, there’s no such thing as impossible, right?
The demand of the course in the market is also a factor. The question, "Can I find a job right away after graduating with this course?" sneaks into the picture. According to the Department of Labor and Employment, job mismatch is the culprit why the unemployment rate in the Philippines remain unchanged. Also, the stiff competition between applicants as well as the lack of job opportunity in the country contributes to unemployment. Last January 2014, DOLE has released the list of the 43 in-demand and hard to fill occupations. Among them were accountancy, medical technology and agriculture. Sadly, most high school graduates nowadays enroll to courses that they think that are popular and would bring them an opportunity to work abroad as soon as possible. Don't let yourself be a victim of delusion of making money fast in less than a year and become rich quickly, or going to work abroad and earn citizenship there.
College education is important. This is about your ambition in life and the path that you want to take. This will bring you opportunity starting off during job search until promotions. It is your arms in this world that is a competitive place where everyone are expected to come on top and where everyone can be trampled because they have none. This is about your parents' dream, an inheritance that they can give you for the rest of your life. And this is about your country, where your diploma can help, build, develop and uplift your community and our nation.
(Author's Note: This is what I learned after reading self-help books and realization hit me after failing twice.)
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