Choosing a Degree Based On Future Employment Prospects

Hi,

I know this is a very broad based question but I am looking for some advice please regarding undegraduate courses and what route to take for future employment/business prospects.

I am educated to leaving certificate only. I have worked in the construction sector and dead end jobs since I left school and never enrolled in University.

One thing is for sure, I want to start a BSc. this year but I am at a total loss to what subject I propose to study.

Are their any industries/sectors on the rise I need to look out for?

I see achieving this BSc. as a route to emigration and finding employment overseas and look forward to starting it with gusto but am nervous that I will make the wrong course decision. I am hoping to move to Perth.

I am looking for more of a skill rather than an arts based degree.

Any tips would be appreciated please.

If you like building, making things, you might enjoy something IT related. IT tends to have steady work prospects. However I seem to recall there being a demand for medical staff in Oz.

If your thinking of heading to Perth WA you could consider exploring a qualification which would be in demand in the mining industry .
Construction experience would be an asset on your C.V.

http://westjobs.com.au/jobseeker/mining-jobs-no-experience.html

I regretted doing a general undergraduate degree… ended up having to do my accountancy exams afterwards. I should have done something more specific at the time.

My advice for my kids will be – do something which will qualify you to do something – accountant/ solicitor/ nurse/ garda etc…..

I think I'd have to agree with that. Third level is all well and good if it leads to something. A degree in itself isn't enough anymore. Everyone has one. Only some of them are directly useful to a future career. In IT many places require a degree often a 2.1 or higher to get to interview. That said you can take an alternative approach and do professional certs instead.

You need to pick a career first then the education/skills path to achieve it. Not the other-way around.

Wishes
I am delighted you are taking this approach to getting a qualification - to many people get qualifications that don't really equip them to get a job. Unless someone has a specific "calling" (for want of a better word) they can get hung up in doing a course that is of no real use to them in the real world.
The advice I gave our own children was: A good leaving cert. qualifies you for nothing - but it does give you options. A good degree/qualification also gives you options - to get a good job, earn decent money & have a good lifestyle.
Best of luck with your choices.

AlbacoreA said:

In IT many places require a degree often a 2.1 or higher to get to interview.

Click to expand...

That's being relaxed at this stage with signifcant shortages of suitably qualified applicants.

Thank you very much for all your feedback - very helpful.

Absolutely agree with sticking to a skilled based degree. I had been contemplating social care. Nursing was also a career I had considered but my finances didn't stretch that far. I have been told that maybe I'm not suited to social care as I could be dealing with some sketchy characters and would need to be more of a forceful character. Its a tough decision.

Thanks for the link GDUFFY.

Perhaps you could train as a nurse there at a lower cost, rather than doing it here.