Ever faced a big life decision and felt unsure about which way to go?
Portrait of an attractive African American business woman smiling confidently
Well, that’s the question almost every student is faced with. Whether it was leaving a relationship, moving to an unfamiliar place, quitting a safe job or spending a large amount of money. Many of us find ourselves facing big life decisions with little or no tools to help us make the best choice. Sure. You can ask family and friends for their opinion, but often you leave those conversations more confused than when you started. Plus, I truly believe that at the end of the day you are your best advisor. You have instincts within you that transcends logic, reason and experience and most definitely other people’s opinions. The problem is that most of us haven’t been taught how to access or trust our inner wisdom.
There is a difference between your interests and your career strengths. If you think you could really crack the world of modern art then great, but if art is just something you enjoy on a weeknight, perhaps reconsider your choice. So if you are naturally gifted with numbers but have a real passion for journalism, opting to study statistics at university might be a mistake. You may find you aren’t quite sure what to do with your degree once you graduate, and find yourself knowing you’re capable of the mathematical jobs you see advertised, but have the motivation to do so.
If you are currently choosing a course at university or thinking of changing your course, my advice to you is simple: don’t confuse your dream degree or hobby with your career prospects. Play to your passion also, not only your strengths. If you are lucky enough to have the two overlap then great. But bear in mind that with the right degree there will always be time for the things you enjoy, regardless of whether you studied them at university or not.
This article was written by Capital Campus Correspondent Brian Waweru.
