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Choosing a course to study after SPM is not easy. On the one hand, it can be quite confusing due to the plethora of courses and institutions available to the student to choose from. On the other. there are many pitfalls that a student should avoid in order to make the right choice. In this article, we will consider the latter factor, that is, how to choose a course
The Harder, the Better
A course or institution with the stiffest entry requirements is the best. Many students fall prey to this error without considering their own interests but live to regret their wrong choices later on. They do not realise that entry requirements are set in direct propor¬tion to the supply and demand of a course, i.e. the more applications for a course, there¬fore. the higher its entry requirements.

A case in point is medicine. Some students chose medicine because it has very high entry requirements, but dropped out mid¬way through the course because it failed to fulfill their expectations.

Money is Everything
Some students look out for top careers that are lucrative and then apply for the related courses. They are not aware of the hidden factor. Careers boom and bust in any economy. What is currently the most lucra¬tive career may turn out to be the worst in the future.
Prior to the Internet bubble and the IT down¬turn a few years ago, the buzzword was information technology courses among local students. Practically, every student was con¬sidering a course and career in IT. Many did so, but after they graduated, they became unemployed. Until today, most of them are unable to find jobs that commensurate with the level of their education and skills.

Going After Prestige
Some students try to get into a prestigious university or a course at all costs. even if it is not in their own interest to do so. A student entered Oxford University for medicine for the sake of prestige, eventhough the parents could not afford the high tuition fees and living costs there. After one year, he left Oxford. disappointed and de¬jected because it was beyond him financially to continue studying there.

Sticking Together
Some students like to go where their friends go or choose a course under peer pressure even to their own disadvantage. I knew a student, whose parents could afford higher tuition fees for him to study accounting at a reputable accounting school. but he refused to do so. He preferred to join his friends at an accounting school of a lower standard, the fees of which his friends could afford. Due to the low quality of this school’s teaching staff and facilities, he failed after the first year. After much persuasion and pressure from his parents, he realised his mistake and later transferred to a better school.

Copycat
Very often. some students just choose to follow in the footsteps of their relatives or friends. This commonly occurs within fami¬lies with a strong professional background, where dad, mum or Uncle Johnny are medi¬cal/ engineering/law professionals. So, it seemed natural for Ben to follow suit but to realise later on that was not something he liked to study at all.

Let Others Choose
This is quite common among local students. They choose to be ignorant of what is on offer at educational institutions and just settle for what their parents or friends have chosen for them. Ignorance may seem to be bliss initially, but will have dire conse¬quences later on. Dad might have the unful¬filled desire of becoming a doctor/lawyer/ engineer early in life. What he could not achieve, he now transfers to his son.

Judge the Book by the Cover
Some students may pay more attention to the impressive front office, colourful bro¬chures and huge advertisements of col¬leges. They tend to make their decision on the choice of the course/institution based on the impressive facade rather than the aca¬demic credentials of the lecturers, contents of the library. quality of the course/ programme, the kind of people behind the set-up which eventually determine the qual¬ity of education.
One private college operator that I know told me he had no choice but to give his front office a facelift because that was what im¬pressed the students! In a private education institution, all these costs will be borne by students. It means students are paying more for items which do not contribute to the quality of their education, but may in fact deprive them of quality education because the college may now have very little money left to “educate” the students

Paper Chase and Fast-Food Mentality
In an era of fast-food, supersonic plane and fast-paced society. for some. the best edu¬cation programme can be one which can be completed within the shortest time at the lowest cost possible-, after all, what is needed is just a paper qualification.
Just think, we spend 12 to 13 years in primary and secondary schools just to ac¬quire basic education, and then we want to become a professionaliexpert in a certain field within two to three years, if that is possible. That seems fine initially but at the interview when the employer finds out that your knowledge in your field of study is very shallow or even when you are employed. you are not able to perform to the satisfac¬tion of your boss. your career will be ham¬pered.
Once on a job, one’s paper qualification is irrelevant. It is the knowledge and skills that one have acquired that will enable you to perform and carry you through your career.

In order to avoid the above pitfalls. and get the right course and institution you really want, ask yourself what you really want to study and plan and prepare yourself for it. If you really want it hard enough. you will get it. With this in mind. take the initiative to speak to as many experts or knowledgeable people as possible- students and graduates of the institution, employers, counsellors, academics and admission officers. The main thing is knowing what you really want.
Written by:

Mr Damian Loke
General Manager
NATIONWIDE PROFESSIONAL SDN BHD Tel: (03) 2166 7013
Fax: (03) 2166 7023
Email: loke@eduasia.net
Web: www.eduasia.net
In collaboration with:
Ms Wee Hui Bieh
Managing Director
WENCOM CAREER CONSULTANCY

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