6 Questions To Ask Yourself Before Locking In A New Uni Course
The world is changing. Get ready for a new future.
There’s no two ways about it: enrolling in a uni course is a Big Decision. It’s exciting, a little nerve-wracking, and probably a bit overwhelming too – especially considering the year we’ve all had.
After all, this decision can set you on a whole new direction in your life. How do you know if you’re studying the right thing? What kind of career will it set you up for? And given all things 2020, is this even the right time?
It’s good to ask yourself this stuff — you want to feel secure in your decision! So whether you’re about to do an undergrad degree or go back for a postgrad qualification, we’ve jotted down a few helpful things to think about before you hit the books.
Am I Studying The Right Thing For The Career I Want?
This is a big one. If you’re not exactly sure what you want to do yet, go for a comprehensive undergrad course in a field like arts, business, or commerce. That way you’ll get to study a range of subjects in your first year, then narrow your focus and pick a major in your second year of study.
The reality is you don’t have to lock in one career and throw away the key. These kinds of comprehensive degrees will set you up for a range of different jobs in the broad field you’re interested in — you really can’t go wrong!
Postgrad courses generally offer you more opportunity to specialise, update your skills or change direction down the track. But even then, the opportunities are endless.
After Cynthia Chung completed her MBA at Monash Business School, for instance, she went on to work in a number of different industries. She now works as head of procurement at Nando’s, a job she loves “because it allows you to use so many different skills — from finance to analytics, contract management, negotiation and relationship skills”.
As long as you’re learning a good range of skills, you’re golden.
Can I Transfer Courses Later If I Change My Mind?
Yes! Don’t stress — this happens all the time and it’s part of the university ~journey~.
You’re allowed to transfer courses, so long as your grades are at an appropriate level. If your previous studies are relevant to the new course, you might even be able to get credit for them. It’s all good.
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Should I Try A Double Degree? Are They Double The Work?
Double degrees can be a great way to broaden your career options even further. For instance, you could study business and marketing at the same time and graduate with two separate qualifications — making you extra employable. Given the current state of things, that’s not a bad advantage to have up your sleeve!
And thankfully, no, a double degree doesn’t mean double the workload. In fact, at Monash University a double undergraduate degree will usually take you two years less than if you completed two degrees consecutively.
Will I Be Able To Work And Study At The Same Time?
Short answer: yep! But it’s definitely a good idea to think about what mode of study best suits your lifestyle.
Exact contact hours and requirements differ from course to course. The good news, though, is that study doesn’t have to be a full-time affair if you don’t want it to be — most undergrad and postgrad courses can be taken part time, so that you can leave more room for your other commitments.
What Kind Of Support Services Will There Be?
This year has really proven we all need a bit of help from time to time. So before you lock in a new uni, make sure they’ve got your back.
At Monash Business School, you can access a wide range of academic support at both the undergraduate and postgraduate level. You can get assistance with things like academic writing and referencing, and there are plenty of focussed study groups. When you’re getting ready to graduate, you’ll also be able to attend networking events and career fairs where you can meet prospective employers.
There’s plenty of non-academic support too, if you find you need help with stuff like financial assistance, health and counselling, or childcare.
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Is This The Right Time?
It’s understandable to feel a little hesitant about doing anything right now.
But this is actually a really good time to pursue study. For starters, a degree is one of the few tangible things you can get out of a moment in history where everything else feels frustratingly on pause. Plus, with the job market changing, it’s a good idea to think seriously about where your career could go in the future and make some savvy moves to get there.
And thanks to the wonders of online study, you can still get your degree — and feel safe doing it. In fact, the silver lining of all this is that it’s easier than ever right now to balance work, life, and study. Take advantage of it.
This article originally appeared on Junkee.
Discover more about degree options from Monash Business School and be ready for a new future.
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