Today, a friend of mine called me and said to me, “Hello doc, I would like to take up a career in the health field. I would like to study Nursing. How can I go about it?”
I get a lot of people coming out to me to ask me how they too can become a doctor. Every time I get that, I usually share with them what applies to becoming a medical doctor in my current country, Nigeria. But aside from that there are special considerations I recommend anyone to closely look into if they are in a position to choose which course to study in school.
Even though it may not always apply, your choice of educational course can determine your future career. Thus, it is important to plan for the type of education that can get you to where you want to be professionally. Sometimes, it is a long road to take but getting the best education, be it a college degree or trade school program, and so on, can set you up for success in the future.
In this post, we will look into how to choose an education that aligns with your dream career
Getting Started
There are a lot of things you need to consider when planning to pursue a professional course of study. You need to re-calibrate your mind a bit. Going to school requires a different mindset from when you are working or doing a personal business. You need to accept the sacrifices that may come with it, and learn to stay disciplined as you learn through your program.
Part of the sacrifices that are required from you also include payment of school fees and levies, which may put a strain on you without any guarantee for immediate returns. However, if you stay committed to the pursuit of your academics, the payoff will be worth it in the end.
Thirdly, school is stressful if you want to do your best and get as much knowledge as you want. Whether you want to attend a University, a polytechnic, part-time or full-time, distance or non-distance learning, there is a level of stress you should anticipate and prepare for while you undertake your studies.
3 Important Factors to Consider
There are many factors to consider when choosing a career or education. Carefully identifying these factors and planning for them will make you choose the perfect educational course that aligns with your future career, as well as make it easier for you to go through the program.
Here are three important factors to consider when choosing and planning for an educational course that aligns with your future career.
1. Consider your passion and future career
Whether you want to go to medical school, be a nurse; study creative writing a local college, or train in a professional assistant school (e.g., research or dental assistant school), you want it to be something that aligns well with your passions and future career.
Taking time to consider if it is the right career for you is a necessary first step. This is because it can equip you with the desired level of motivation to complete your academic training.
Take time to envision your future and plan for something you could see yourself doing for years, not just based on money. Many people have had to change careers because they later realized that what they studied for in school is not what they would happily continue with. Thus, while you think about the payback, also consider choosing an educational program that aligns with a career you can satisfactorily do for a long time.
2. Cost of training
Considering the cost of training is not to scare or deter you from any course but to help you prepare adequately for it. You need to plan ways to offset the academic/training fees, especially if you are not a dependent.
For example, if you want to be a graduate Nurse in Nigeria, you need to write pre-admission exams to qualify you to be a Nursing student and then do a 5-year program to qualify you as a Nurse. Apart from the mental preparedness of going back to school, you also need to account for the financial responsibilities that may be involved.
You may need to relocate or transport some of your belongings if the institution is not near your current location. Other similar reasons can also add to the cost of training, together with the school fees and registration fees that will be required during your training in your institution of choice.
3. Relevance to your future career
Sometimes, you don’t necessarily have to pursue an educational qualification that directly translates to your future profession, but it can be relevant to what you want to become.
For professional courses like Medicine and Law, you are guaranteed that you will come out as a Doctor and Lawyer, respectively. However, not all courses are like this. What is important in this case, is that you choose a course that is relevant to what you want to be in the future.
For example, suppose you are interested in pushing your entrepreneurial interests further. In that case, you can pursue a bachelor’s or master’s degree in Business Administration even if you do not desire to work as an administrator for a third-party firm. The knowledge you acquire from your education can add another layer to your career and professional interests in the future.
How to Get an Admission to Your Course of Choice
After deciding what you want to do regarding your educational pursuits, getting admission is the next logical course of action. You may need to research which institutions offer your desired course of study and what their requirements are. Most of the time, you may take SAT exams or its equivalent in your resident country.
Every school may require you to pay some money during admission. This would cover your school fees as well as other levies necessary for your training. The exemption to this is when you are on a scholarship program that promises to cover your school fees either partly or wholly.
If you are financially challenged at the time, you may reach out for help or seek a scholarship that can help you cover the costs of your training.
What To Do When You Have Challenges
If you are determined to pursue your career course of study, virtually nothing can stand in your way. It is normal to encounter challenges but there is always an answer to the issue if you know the right thing to do.
The following tips will help you find a solution to common challenges you may encounter when trying to pursue your career course, whether it is a financial challenge, problem finding directions on what to choose, or looking for help in achieving the best success in your educational pursuit.
1. Explore funding options
As already emphasized, one important thing to consider when seeking the education that sets you up for a solid career is funding. While there may be a lot of great programs out there, tuition costs can be a lot.
To achieve your educational goals and pursue your career course, you may need to explore one or more funding options, including government financial aid, scholarships, grants, family support, or self-funding. Once you have a stable funding channel, you can be certain that you can achieve your educational goals in pursuit of your career course in school.
2. Talk to a career counselor
If you are feeling confused about which course you want to pursue, a career counselor could be helpful. This professional would help you understand your deeper interests and passions and help unveil them to the fore through therapy, life coaching, or career mentoring. Reaching out to a career counselor can help you find the best path ahead of you, particularly when you are in a state of dilemma.
3. Find a mentor
Mentorship can make a difference as you get started on your educational journey. Getting support from someone who has been down the road in your chosen field is an invaluable opportunity. It can provide you with insights to avoid pitfalls and five your best while studying for a successful career.
Fortunately, there are many avenues to find mentorship today. There are many mentorship websites where you can find mentorship online, as well as mentor programs at some schools. It may not be very easy to find a mentor who is committed to your education but it may be necessary to take out time to find a trustworthy mentor who can help you on your journey towards achieving your career educational goals.
Final words
After having said a lot about choosing a career course of study, here is a recap. This post was about finding a course or educational training program that aligns with your future profession or career interests.
In getting started, you need to make up your mind on your decision to go back to school and prepare adequately for it. In preparing for a college degree or any other professional training that aligns with your future career, you need to consider several important factors, including; your passion, cost of training, and its relevance to your future ambitions.
Some challenges may arise in the course of choosing and pursuing your career training. Some helpful solutions to these challenges include seeking other funding options, talking to a career counselor when you are uncertain about what to do, and finding a mentor.
Lastly, whether you have completed training at a tertiary institution before or you are just starting now, it is never too late to pursue a career that perfectly complements your desired profession in the future.
