Need Help In Career/Personal Education Choices (1 Viewer)

[Lynx16]

Hello,
Just a post I was hoping people currently studying could help me with. I am currently looking into studying at University. Im having a great deal of trouble deciding on what to study. Now its actually funny because I know what units I want to study, but they are all from different area's in arts and humanities.

I have narrowed it down a bit and I think I would thoroghly enjoy majoring in Anthropology but......I keep getting told its practically worthless as far as job prospects go. I would love a base fundemental knowledge in certain area's such as Psychology Philosophy, Communication, Political Science and a few others.Is it possible to do multiple minors? And where do I draw the line and think about possibly majoring in another area because finacial incentive(job prospects) are might not be great in what I want to do.

Can anyone studying in some of thesee areas possibly shed some light.Is it also possible to study externally(flexibly eg take on as many units as I want at a given time and change work loads/postpone study for semester's/possibly a year for travel) .

I know i might be being a bit unrealstic but Im just curious to know how people go about choosing what they want to study. Does possible finacial gain at the end of it play a big part in decision making for everyone or are people more concerned about studying exactly what they want to learn(ie take single units from multiple areas even if it means not gaining credit at the end of it).

Sorry for a bit of a rant but any help / opinion would be greatly appreciated.

Mat

 

[mr_robato]

First of all: good thinking!


I was surrounded by the same thought that BA is useless. The thing is, like me (I assume) that you are greatly exited by what arts and humanities has to offer in terms of knowledge. The thing is, there really isn't a specific industry for arts & humanities hence the lack of demand by employers. Those majoring in accounting or economics or actuary etc have simply thier marks to worry about, plenty of demand for them, the world runs on money and they've learnt to do stuff with it. We, my friend are gifted


I for one am hell bent on doing arts, I carve what it seems to offer whilst being aware of the lack of proper paying jobs (apart from teaching) that it can lead to. Hence, I've decided I'll go in for the long haul at university and combine it with law. It'llt ake me five years to complete Arts+Law combined at UWS (provided I'm accepted into the combined program), otherwise I intend on doing B Law separately with the "graduate entry" option (that'll take six years).

Personally, I'm after B Arts in "asian studies and international relations" + Law. Double degree. It'sa price I'm paying for not settle for somehitng I won't enjoy and ultamately either fail at or hate in ten-15 years time (maybe less).

Follow your heart Mat, if there isn't a way, make one.



Robato

 

[cottoneye]

It is great that you are interested in learning for the sake of acquiring knowledge, rather than just working towards an economic goal, although the two do not necessarily have to be in opposition to one another.

I understand that there is the perception that Arts leads to nowhere, but this is only partially true. There are plenty of good jobs available to Arts graduates with the public sector, and also banks, business service firms, consultancy, teaching, media, public relations, etc. The difference in that you need good grades. Arts is not a difficult degree to attain if you are willing to spend the three years doing it, although it is hard to do consistently well. Also, if you complete honours you will be in an excellent position to find work. Less than 10% of students complete an honours year so that substantially improves your employment prospects should you choose to pursue it; the best part is you can complete it in an area that interests you personally.

An Arts degree teaches skills such as writing, communication, research, critical thinking and analysis. The degree is an opportunity for you to learn. You will not be spoon fed. Work hard, learn from both your good and bad assignments, and make the most of the opportunities you have.

I know people from all academic areas who have been unable to find work. Usually it is because they felt that spending three or more years at uni was their ticket to a high paying job and an easy life. It can be, but it isn't handed to you. If you work hard, develop marketable skills, and can communicate well you will be able to find work.

The next questions is, what sort of work do you see yourself doing in the future?

 

[Lynx16]

Ok guys,

First of all Id like to thank you for your responses and also apologise I havent replied as my internet has just been reconnected now. Ill try explain my mindset now after a few weeks of thinking.

I went and visited a Career counseller in the city and it didnt help me at all, I basically had more information than she did. I know what I want to study and I really dont care if I dont make money from it. I dont mind spending 4 years learning things im interested in and improving my own standard of life(in my opinion). Its money well spent when I really think about it.

It is frustrating though because nobody really supports the idea. Every person I talk too pretty much downplays the decision but I guess if its my decision to study something Im interested in then it doesnt matter.But....

I still need to be finacially stable. . .Now I have 2 options I think I could combine an undergraduate degree with something im slightly interested in as far as job prospects go or.....Mabye I could go to tafe? Study say estimating(building and construction) which im not interested in but wouldnt take forever and gurantees decent money when I need it. I dont know im confused. Truck driving traineeship on the mines?

I guess I need something to fall back on so whenever I need I can go Bam decent income.Too much to ask? I thought so haha but yeah I guess I cant have everything but something is still inclining me to say I can. I do think its possible. I know say studying the humanities isnt a dead end but Im not looking for it to get me work. All I know is Im 22 , Ive got a shitload more travelling Im going to be doing and by the age of 30 I want something behind to give me options as far as money goes. I dont care until then how much mony I earn but I need some sort of finacial propspects at that age. Any suggestions(i know I shouldnt put a figure on it but over 60k a year would be nice at 30).And sorry again If I rant on and on

 

[Lynx16]

And to answer your question CottenEye, Thats the problem Ive spent 4 years trying to figure out what(single career) I want to do for a job and Ive still got no idea. I guess the closest Ive found is phycologist/counseller but it means I have to branch out and study what im not primarily interested in.

I guess the whole concept of "having" to specialise really frustrates me because I have figured out what in life I would be content doing, Its multiple career paths over the course of my life in area's fields im interested in, I dont want to be bound by some system that is telling me that I have to specialise to make it in this world......but then the finactial problems stop popping in my head again...

 

[scaredytiger]

Well, I started out doing Business/Arts - with the aim of majoring in marketing and PR in order to get a job.

However, halfway through the semester I found myself thoroughly bored in everything but the core arts subject, which was a writing subject. So I dropped Business and focussed this semester's subjects towards creative writing.

I guess I've reduced my job prospects, but I think I'm gaining the education I want. The BA is a very flexible program, and many subjects dont have prerequisites, so you could find one specific area you would like to focus on, and take electives in multiple other areas.