Choosing a College Course

CEBU, Philippines - The future starts with the right choice of an academic course. College is all about preparing for the real world, and choosing the right college course is the best preparation one can have. But such a choice needs self reflection: "What do I want to become after college?" "Which course will get me a job?"

Why make a big thing of a college course? Well, most students go to school to secure a bright future for themselves and their families. At the same time, a college course can predetermine the professional identity one may have for life.

However, some students tend to not take the matter seriously. They shift from one course to another. And this becomes a burden to their parents, because of the waste of resources that result from the flippancy.  Even among the children of the rich, the waste in terms of time is irreversible.

The most common college-course misconceptions that students have are:

1."This is the easiest course, so I should take this."

Truth is, there are no easy college courses. The weights of the different college degrees may vary from course to course, but certainly nothing is a walk in the park. Some students just want to take things lightly; including their studies. And this attitude may just lead them nowhere. Those who want to become professionals on something shall be ready to take their studies to heart, seriously.

2."I should take an in-demand course so I will get a job when I graduate."

In a practical sense, it's good to take a course that can give some means of livelihood afterwards. But given the world's unstable economy, taking a course because of it's present industry popularity may not be a very smart thing. College courses usually take four or more years to finish, and in that span of time, the job market may have changed preferences.

Besides, if everybody else thinks the same way, graduates of the particular course are going flood the job market and competition is going to be really tight. And definitely, the oversupply will leave many unemployed.

3."I'm taking this course which will give me a good pay in the future."

Of course one reason why students go to college is to get a high-paying job after. If you're really good, then you're likely to make. But excellence in a job involves true passion in it. Wanting a higher pay is just part of the story; the other part is actually delivering what the job requires.

4."I will not have a job with that course."

A course does not automatically mean a career. Choosing a college course does not necessarily limit one's choice of career. Graduating from a course does not keep one on that field; he or she may move around as he likes. Take MassCom graduates, for example; they can always go to the corporate arena or perhaps they could teach.

Again, college needs a lot of thinking and reflecting. After all, college education is not free. It would take a lot of bucks to get one to finish college. And not taking a college course seriously is not a good start.