Going to university is an exciting and fulfilling experience, which often sets people up for the rest of their lives. Choosing a subject to study, however, can be tricky, as there are numerous factors which need to be considered before embarking on your university adventure. Should you make career prospects the main criteria for choosing a course? Here are some things to think about.

Economy

Many people have been worried since the global financial crisis in 2008, which saw multiple global economies go into meltdown and brought many careers to an end as businesses went bust. It is only natural that many people now focus on job security as a result, prospective students included.

It is worth noting, however, that different economies across the globe are often suited to different subject areas. Singapore, for instance, is a global financial hub which is particularly suited to those looking to work in the financial sector.

Having a willingness to relocate where jobs for your subject exist will afford you more leeway to study something you love, and will open far more options after your degree.

Education or Career?

There is no denying that some subjects have a greater chance of leading to a career than others. Engineering, for instance, is a much sought after degree which covers a number of different niches. As such, it is fairly easy for engineers to have access to a potentially lucrative career.

However, not everyone is career driven, and in fact many people end up studying something they enjoy, even if it will not directly lead to a job. This is often more useful than having to force yourself to study for a subject you despise. If you do not enjoy it, after all, will you enjoy the career that it leads to?

Inspiration

Studying a subject which does not motivate you might not yield the academic results you hope for, as you must be passionate about what you study in order to have the best chance of success. Essentially, you should consider the extent to which you want to enjoy your experience at university, whilst balancing this with your plans for the future.

If you are truly inspired by your subject, you will have bags of motivation to succeed. This is not to say, however, that you will not be inspired by a career based subject, and many students find that their love for a subject comes later on in their degree as opposed to the start of their studies.

Placement Options

It is worth noting that you can still gain work experience in areas that are not necessarily related to your degree. It is also worth bearing in mind that many employers are more interested in your individual skills rather than the specific subject you studied.

You could be particularly adept at analysing global markets (like gold prices, for instance)whilst opting to study an unrelated subject like English or music. You would probably still be able to get a placement/job as a market analyst, whilst having learned a wider range of skills through the degree you studied.

University is not all about studying your way to a good career. It is also about gaining life experience and growing as a person. Achieving a balance between studying what you love and gaining the necessary (and often transferrable) skills for a graduate job is an effective formula for success after university, and will ensure that you make the most of your experience there.