How to pick a uni course when you’re unsure

DOCTOR, lawyer, puppysitter — the time has come to decide what you want to be. A Melbourne careers expert provides her top tips on how to choose the right course for you.

When weighing up course options, involve your family and friends.

“WHAT do you want to be when you grow up?” It’s a question that has a hundred answers and is heard just as many times, especially if you’re a student.

If you’re asked and not sure how to grunt anything but “no idea”, say you’re weighing up some options and haven’t decided yet.

Don’t get frazzled about not knowing — there’s no magic potion you can take and, like other important decisions you’ll have to make, there are numerous factors to consider.

Katie Roberts, director of Katie Roberts Career Consulting says not knowing what you want to study at university isn’t the end of the world.

Here are her tips on how to choose the right course for you.

Grab a friend and look through course guides together — you might even have a laugh or two.

Prep early

Deciding on which course to study at university is just like the Pantene advert — it won’t happen overnight (or at least it shouldn’t) but it will happen. And you should be the one in the driver’s seat.

“It’s important to start exploring options in Year 10 so you have plenty of time to do your research and get work experience,” suggests Roberts.

Choosing a course doesn’t have to be a stressful ordeal, and can even be fun when you get friends involved. It’s just a matter of asking yourself some questions and answering them honestly: What subjects do I enjoy the most at school? What extra-curricular activities do I enjoy? Do I want to work outdoors? Do I like office environments? Then consider the types of careers that relate to these areas.

Who wouldn’t want to play with puppies all day?

Test drive careers on your list

“Once you have identified some possible career options, research each option in-depth,” suggests Roberts. “Look up job descriptions to get an understanding of what’s involved on a day-to-day basis and what qualifications are needed,” she says. You’ll also know which subjects you need to take during VCE.

Learn as much as you can: Speak to people who work in the industry (mum and dad might be able to help), go university open days (you don’t need to be in Year 12), and find out what the future job prospects are.

Once you have a list of careers that you like the sound of, use any opportunity you can — weekends and school holidays — to gain some work experience; you’ll find out pretty quickly if this is the job for you. For instance, being a vet nurse sounds like a dream job, but playing with puppies all day simply isn’t part of the job description.

Include your inner circle

Mum and dad should be involved in open discussions about courses, but in everyone’s best interests leave any firm views on particular courses at the door.

Roberts says that many students drop out of university after being pressured into doing a particular course by their parents or other people — not an ideal path to go down. Instead, parents should try their best to act as a sounding board.

“Encourage your child to explore careers that match their interests and passions,” Roberts says. “Help them uncover their interests and explore all their options — help connect them to people in the industry to learn more about each career.”

Don’t forget to tap into the resources available at school — teachers who know you well or who teach subjects you like can provide really good insight into further studies or careers that might not be on your radar.

If you prefer a more formal setting, visiting a career counsellor can also help you identify the careers that best suit your interests, values and personality and help you find university or TAFE courses that would be most suitable for you.

Whether you speak to mum and dad or your favourite teacher, choosing a course isn’t easy but the final decision lies with you — it’s three years out of your life, after all.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO

Gap Yah. Just as fun and exciting as a gap year

Take a year off

For most European kids, taking a gap year to travel is a no brainer — it’s a rite of passage and they have 27 countries on their doorstep. There’s no wrong or right way to take a gap year but having a proper plan in place before you set off will save a lot of heart ache (and questions from mum and dad) later on: travel the globe, work full time, volunteer, turn a hobby into a small business — the list is endless but make it count.

Enrol in a generalist course

If you’ve decided to continue studying but still can’t make a decision on a course, opt for a more general degree like business or commerce. This way, you’ll be able to study subjects like management, accounting, or marketing and then hone in on what you enjoy with the option of taking further study in this area later on.

Explore study options

If you want to study but the thought of a full-time load is turning you off, explore part time options — it will allow enough time to work or intern. Alternatively, enrol in a short course which will give you a taster without the full time commitment and hefty HECS debt.