Should you listen to your family and pursue engineering even though you’re fascinated by animation and video editing? Should you enroll in an accounting degree even though you feel numbers aren’t your strength? If you’re about to finish high school or have just stepped into college, these questions might run through your mind 24/7.
After all, selecting a degree indicates a significant step and shouldn’t be taken lightly. Even though it’s not the final determinant in your life, it can drastically influence your professional skills, work experience, and salary prospects, making it vital to choose the right degree.
But picking the right degree seems pretty overwhelming to many people. From economics to zoology, there is an extensive range of options to select from. Alongside that, the idea that you’ll dedicate a couple of years to your degree makes it a greater concern, adding to your stress levels.
The good news is that picking the right course doesn’t have to be challenging. Here are some steps to help you choose the right degree.
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Highlight your strengths
Picture this: people around you think you should opt for an accounting degree, but you’re attracted to philosophy and literature. You wouldn’t want to set yourself up for disaster, so why choose a course that relies more on your flaws than your strengths? Choosing a degree according to your strengths and abilities can go a long way in helping you make better decisions. Therefore, you need to self-reflect and consider what you’re great at.
But how can you do that? Consider listing down the things you enjoy doing the most. For instance, if you’ve always wanted to learn the art of public speaking and delivering presentations, “online masters in communication programs” might be the right for you.
Moreover, you can ask people you trust, like, and respect about what they think you’re best at. You can also talk to a mentor or a coach who can give you the push you need to feel secure in identifying your strengths and executing them.
Once you have answers from a couple of different places, outline any areas that come up often or personality traits that many individuals have identified. Consider asking yourself the same questions and evaluate the answers to see if you agree.
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Decide your study destination
Determining where you want to study is one of the most vital steps in choosing the right course. But how can you decide your study destination? To choose where you want to pursue your degree, think about the language in which you wish to continue your studies. Selecting a language can significantly contribute to shortlisting your preferences of available study destinations.
Additionally, another crucial factor in deciding your study destination is the cost. Keep in mind that an overseas program can vary drastically in cost. Therefore, don’t forget to research the annual expenses per country. Moreover, remember that the tuition fees are just one of the expenses included in studying abroad. Make sure you consider all other expenses like travel, cost of living, accommodation, etc.
Alongside this, figuring out your preferred teaching method can help you decide where to study. For instance, going to the UK can be the right choice if you like being left with your gadgets and studying independently. Whereas, if you want proper direction and guidance, consider pursuing a degree in the US.
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Get help from counselors and advisors
Wondering how advisors and counselors can help you choose the right degree? Academic counselors and advisors are specially equipped and trained to help from pre-enrollment through graduation. They can coach you through understanding the academic programs and administrative processes. Besides that, they can help you discover degrees and possible career prospects. For the best career guidance, connect with Mentoria – top career counseling online
But that’s not all. Academic advisors and counselors can point out critical information and connect you to valuable resources to help you select the right degree. They can assist you in scheduling the necessary coursework, such as the availability of classes and advising on class timings.
So, how can you get an experienced academic advisor? Before selecting an advisor, look for their credentials and real-world experience. Don’t forget to ask potential advisors and counselors about their services. An ideal academic advisor should offer you services like college interview prep, college decisions, final college list, etc.
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Figure out how much you want to earn
As wonderful as it would be for everybody to do what they love and get paid generously for it, the world doesn’t work that way. Remember, not every job and field pay the same, making it crucial to consider it while choosing the right degree. But this doesn’t mean you should select a course that guarantees the highest-paying jobs. Instead, when assessing your choices, understand what you should expect salary-wise from each degree.
A few industries offer outstanding salaries only for a couple of positions at the top. On the other hand, some fields have an excellent average salary that can support you well after just a few years of experience. For instance, social workers’ salaries can vary from $40,000-90,000. The higher end of this range sounds pretty decent. However, only 14-18% of social workers have that salary. Hence, if you’re considering enrolling in a social work degree but also want a high-paying salary, you need to be prepared to work long to make it to that 18%.
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Think about your study mode
One of the most crucial steps in choosing the right degree is considering your study mode. Many people think degrees are just full-time; however, that’s not the only option available. Many study modes are available these days designed to fit your commitments.
So, what are the most common modes of study available? Some of the study modes include:
- Distance learning: This allows you to study remotely, enabling you to study in your time. Distance-learning blends face-to-face sessions with online learning, providing you with a great mixture of studying and teaching yourself. Different online learning resources will support your assignments and activities with constant support from your professors.
- Part-time: This type of degree is taken over a more extended period so you can study more relaxed. A part-time degree class can be delivered during the evening, on weekends, or during study breaks, allowing you to manage it easily around your other commitments.
- Accelerated courses: Students on accelerated courses undertake the same course outline as students on typical degrees. However, they can finish their degrees a year earlier.
Final thoughts
When you initially start thinking about how to choose a degree and which is the right choice, you might fret over the options but will process the whole situation and get it right. However, if you follow the steps mentioned above, you can pick the right degree without stress.