Become Successful in Choosing Your Course and University

If you are struggling with the selection of courses and universities, it is okay. In fact, A lot of students do. As they should. The options are endless. Today, you can study everything – literature, anthropology, psychology, and microbiology. It is no longer limited to engineering, business and science. Finding an ideal place to study a relevant course is an overwhelming decision. Further, if you are a working professional, the dilemma is even bigger. Should you consider leaving the job to pursue a course to contribute to a better future? But what if you want to pursue the course only to enhance your knowledge in the field?

While some of you do have a general idea of what you want from the course, some are simply lured in by the enticement of studying in one. In either case, the large selection has led to indecisiveness. And with that, a possible amount of anxiety. We, at Studywise International, help 150+ students every year successfully transform their careers with the right course and university. First, let’s dig more into what YOU want from this course.

Choosing a Course as a High School Graduate

By pursuing a course in a global university, high school graduates gain personal and academic qualifications. These are some of the most crucial years for all individuals. Their choice of course as well as the university to graduate from could make or break(delay) their careers. While no course is wrong, one that is unaligned with the student’s future goals and prospects would not only waste resources but also valuable time. There are several good study programs to pursue after 12th grade. However, the path of making the right career choice begins with finalising the study destination.

Students can start by listing all the courses available in their desired location. Location is a key aspect of the academia. There is no point dwelling on a pursuit if it doesn’t host favourable living conditions, job opportunities and industrial growth. Notably, these courses should not only match the interests of the students but also future goals. Students can weigh their strengths and potential to make this choice. More often than not, pursuing a course abroad costs a fortune. It would be wise to choose a course that pays back in multiples would be wise. Further, students should also consider the affordability of the course coupled with the cost of living in the chosen locations. Factoring in these needs with the university’s global ranking and its course ranking, the list gets further shortlisted into a smaller one.

Key factors: Location, interests, scope of the field, university ranking, financials

Choosing a Course as a College Graduate

College graduates often contemplate between taking a job and pursuing further studies. To make up their mind, they should research the job requirements of the senior positions in their field. They can compare the roles and responsibilities of these job roles with the desired course’s guidelines to understand the market need. Typically, students with a graduation degree enrol on post-graduation in international universities to get a placement to a multi-national company or seek the skillset to help establish an empire. Let’s discuss the first.

Goal: Hefty Paycheck

Once you have a road map to your career, find courses that will spring your growth. There are multiple types of courses available for graduates – full-time courses, short-term courses, executive courses, virtual courses and so on. Identify the skillsets you currently possess. Secondly, select the course based on the room for improvement and specific qualifications needed to compete in the job market. For instance, if you had your graduate-level study in Neuroscience and want a PG course to enhance your skills, a short-term course could impact the same as a full-time course. But if you are seeking specialisation, sign up for a full-time course with availability to guest lectures, professional collaborations and extensive internship and training programs. Furthermore, locations with industrial growth in the sector you wish to go forward in will help you when scouting for jobs.

Key factor: Job market (local), skillset, scope, salary

Goal: Successful Business

Post-graduation programs like MBA refine entrepreneurial skills. For students with a family business or a stirring business idea seek entrepreneurial skills like business management, team management, financial planning and so on. It is an investment they are making in their own business. By bracketing the gaps between their current plights and their goals, they can choose a course to acquire the skillsets they lack. Studying abroad contributes in lengths to establishing networks with like-minded globally. Universities are a good place to make stronger ties with fellow students, professors and even alumni. Henceforth, their faculty experience and alumni placements should be factored in when shortlisting universities to apply.

Key factor: Skillset, curriculum, faculty, alumni, networking aspects

Choosing a Course as a Working Professional

As a working professional, you could be looking for a career change or a senior role requiring more knowledge and skills in the field. Spend quality time to reflect on your interests and current skillset to identify the scope of improvement before looking for a course. Additionally, you may consider talking to your employer and seniors to get insights on how to improve your career. Many a time, there is uncertainty among professionals when deciding to get back to studies. Is this the right move? Is this the right time? What if the course didn’t reward as I anticipated? What if the job market is down when I complete my course? While we, or anybody else, cannot help with the last question, we can help you with everything else.

The right time is never. You will never be completely sure sitting in a comfortable job. Unless your dreams aim higher than the uncertainty of the time being. If doing a postgrad course will plunge you forward a few years into your career, consider taking the course. If the roles could only be fulfilled with work experience, invest your resources and time in seeking that experience. Most universities have standardised executive programs with weekend classes to help professionals study while still keeping their jobs. Further, there are also options for courses with more on-field experiences, training and experimental learning. Deciding on the duration and curriculum of their course, they can further shortlist their list factoring in location and its geographical and industrial benefits.

Key factors: Course duration, curriculum, skillset, location

Choosing a Course as a Researcher

As a researcher, you will be sure of your field. To pursue a course within your expertise, be at the centre of the world. Not geographically. You need to be at the centre of the happenings of your field of research. Want to pursue PhD or other research programs in medicine? Consider studying in the universities of China and Australia. Want to be a part of the AI world? Study in Canada or the UK. Interested in theoretical physics? Sign up for a university with a strong research program in the USA.

When you have your location, finalise on a university after extensive research on its faculties, their work, papers published every year and contribution to the society. Universities have their own way of delivering knowledge. For instance, literary researchers need both theoretical and practical knowledge, and the availability of required resources to perform a complete thesis. Attending an Open Day hosted by the universities on your list would help solidify your thoughts.

Key factors: Industry growth, faculty, paper published

Choosing a Course as an Enthusiast

Often we hear people telling each other how it fruits so less when the course doesn’t set you on the path of success or career growth. At times, some weigh in on the conversation that you cannot simply pursue a course because you want to. Let us take this moment and tell you that you can. In fact, universities have part-time, executive and online programs to support the enthusiasm of people like you. Growth is not always proportional to paychecks and turnovers. Having said that, you need to have financial support to back your interests. After all, you too are a hamster in the money market.

Next Step?

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