Course questions to consider
WHEn you’re stuck between two courses, how do you make up your mind? Here are some questions you might want to ask.
Where does this take me?
When you’re moving through primary and secondary school, the focus tends to be on getting the highest scores possible so that you have a wide choice of college majors. In college, however, that strategy has to change.
Instead of asking “What can I get an A in?”, ask “What sort of career does this qualify me for?”
For example, there’s no point in getting an A in Marine Biology if the idea of pursuing a career as an endangered species researcher or working in a laboratory as a biologist doesn’t appeal to you.
What is a typical job your new graduates get?
This will help you understand what sort of career choices will be open to you on graduation. It will also give you an estimate of the salary you can expect (important if you’re paying back loans) and whether you’ll need extra training to get to your career goal.
For example, you may need to study and then take a professional exam or you may need to study and then complete an apprenticeship. It is great if it is part of the course.
Otherwise, you will need to plan for this.
how long does it take your graduates to find jobs?
Asking this question at several schools will tell you whether your chosen field is looking for talent and how your schools rank in terms of competition. If the answers don’t sound good, ask “What happens to graduates who don’t get a ‘graduate job’?” This will help you plan your career path better.
Where do I contact the alumni for this class?
Find people who have graduated from your course, see where they are working now and ask if they can give you advice. They are informed sources and a tip from them now might save you a lot of headaches.