Choosing which degree to study is one of the most important decisions we’ll ever make in life. But to do so, we need to take into account a number of factors that can help us make the best possible decision. If we’re unsure about our choice, there’s always time to redirect our career path in a different direction. After all, the aim is to be happy with what we do on a day-to-day basis.
With theEvAU exams just around the corner, many pre-university students still do not know which degree course they are going to choose to train as professionals for the future. There are increasingly more options in a globalised world, and we won’t always know for certain whether the changing nature of the times will allow us to pursue the profession we initially chose ‘whilst we are working’.
There are careers with a secure future – professions that have always been and will continue to be in high demand, such as Law , Medicine , Engineering and Technology , amongst others; just as there are professions that will have disappeared in a few years’ time, which, following the advent of the technological age, are increasingly ‘at risk of extinction’.
There are also emerging professions which, in many cases, are here to stay. Such is the case with degrees related to Data Engineering, Business Analytics, the Internet of Things, Cybersecurity or Artificial Intelligence (AI), amongst many other examples which will undoubtedly be with us now and forever – or at least, that is what we believe…
The technological era has guided us, and continues to guide us, towards a professional practice that constantly runs parallel to digitalisation. Society must keep pace with this development, as must education, and the vast majority of the tasks we have to carry out in our day-to-day lives.
We must always be prepared to continue our professional work ‘remotely’. In many sectors, remote working has become the norm during the coronavirus (Covid-19) crisis. In many others, it is clear that remote working is not an option; this is the case, for example, for healthcare professionals.
Whether online or ‘offline’ (a method that is, it must be said, increasingly falling out of use), the fact is that, with the university entrance exams approaching, we must start setting our sights on the goal we have set ourselves and, if we are “full of doubts”, seek the advice that is always necessary, in the hope that it will guide us so that we can – at last – make the best possible decision.
Which degree course should you study? First and foremost, we recommend that you choose a profession you’re passionate about and which – at first glance – sparks your enthusiasm and makes you want to give your very best to train and delve deeper into all the areas you’ll be covering in the curriculum.
Always choose something that motivates you, that you enjoy, because you’re going to have to devote many hours of your day to that profession, and it’s always better if what you do inspires you and constantly drives you to excel.
It’s clear that at such a young age, things aren’t always clear, and very often we let ourselves be guided solely by what others tell us: ‘You should study this… or that’. But, as you approach university, the time has come to decide for yourself, and if later on you realise that ‘you’ve made a mistake’, you can change course, always in search of that career that truly fulfils you so that you can give your very best.
What should I bear in mind? As well as choosing to study a degree that you enjoy, it’s important to follow these tips we’ve put together to help you make the best decision. Read on!
- Vocation: there are degree courses, such as Medicine or Journalism, which have a strong vocational element. But to avoid creating false expectations that are not closely aligned with the reality of the workplace, it’s best to seek advice from a professional in these fields.
- Interest: if you choose a degree programme based solely on family influence, you’ll find it quite difficult to see it through to the end. It’s important that you also have a genuine interest in the subject yourself.
- Career prospects: this is an aspect worth bearing in mind, as when choosing one degree programme over another, you must also consider what the future holds beyond the lecture halls – whether or not you’ll have genuine job opportunities. Life is hard enough without floundering in a profession with no real career prospects.
- Postgraduate studies: bringing out the ‘best professional version of ourselves’ is a long-distance race in which we must never stop learning. The more knowledge we acquire, the better prepared we’ll be to pursue career aspirations that lead us to the pinnacle of professional fulfilment.
- Getting to know the university: finding out about the university where you’re going to study your degree is always important.
- Languages: studying at a bilingual institution, or one that at least offers the opportunity to study languages, is vital for building a profile that is in high demand.
- Work placements: it is of the utmost importance to have the university’s support in securing work placements during your studies.
And if, after reading these tips, you still have doubts, at Alfonso X el Sabio University – aware of the major decision that pre-university students face – thePsychopedagogical Advisory Service is available to help anyone who needs it with this vital decision.
Therefore, anyone interested in studying at UAX has this service at their fingertips; it is a great help in dispelling doubts and identifying the professional path that might best suit your abilities and skills.
Whatever you choose, do not be afraid or rush into it, because, when in doubt, it is better to wait than to go round in circles without being able to set the course that will lead you to ‘your true and best professional self’. And if we choose a degree ‘somewhat at random’, we will always have the option to change.
