Tertiary Education: The Springboard To Your Career Path

I’ve never liked thinking about my future. Or planning it. As a secondary school student, I am often asked this question: what are you planning to do after you complete secondary education? And every time, I have to rack my brain to think of an acceptable answer, but all that comes out is: I don’t know. I know that I want to go to university, but maybe I want to take a gap year after I finish secondary school. But what course do I want to pursue? How many years do I want to spend studying? All these questions concerning my future and my plans for tertiary education… I can’t answer them. And so my answer is always: I don’t know. If you’re a student like me, you might be able to relate to this as well. However, there is a solution to this dilemma that thousands of students face.

Firstly, What Is Tertiary Education?

Tertiary education, also known as post-secondary or third level education, is the educational level that follows the completion of secondary education. It refers to any type of education pursued beyond secondary school. Colleges, universities, and vocational courses are some examples of tertiary education.

How Tertiary Education Impacts Our Future

As many may know, tertiary education is becoming increasingly important in our era. Studies have shown how having a degree greatly impacts your chances of getting a job. But tertiary education isn’t just about earning that degree. It’s also about discovering different ways of thinking and developing problem-solving skills. It’s more than just attending classes and taking exams. You gain more academic knowledge, you get exposure to new things, and you meet people from different backgrounds. Often, the years young people spend in post-secondary education are the years they gain life experience as they transition into adulthood.

Oh, But There’s A Dilemma

Despite the benefits of tertiary education, choosing your course of study can be quite complicated. Why is this so? You see, many people don’t actually know what they want to do. First, you have to decide on what specialty or course you wish to pursue. Then, you have to find out which university will accept you. Perhaps you want to attend a pre-university course first. Or maybe you want to know your options for studying abroad. But then you have to consider the costs of education, or whether or not your degree will be helpful in the future… What if things don’t work out? All these can get very confusing for both student and parents, and often, the fear of not knowing what you plan to do with your future can be overwhelming.

Tertiary Education Jitters… Yeah, I Have Them Too!

I’m a Malaysian student, and I’m about to complete my secondary education soon. Recently, I have had to start thinking about my future (scary, I know). What specialty do I want to pursue? What are my exit paths? When do I plan to graduate? Which university will accept me? Honestly, I don’t have a clue. And I know for a fact that many of my peers feel the same too. Many young people today don’t know what they want to do, so they often settle for whatever’s available or convenient, which is why many just go for a generalist degree. That isn’t a bad thing, but the lack of knowledge of their options hinders them from pursuing more niche studies that might suit them better. What we need is guidance: someone who can tell us what paths to take, and where it will lead us.

Have No Fear, Student Advisory Is Here!

Introducing the student advisory service: Study Hub! Founded in 2013 by Mr Brian Law and Mr Oon Yeong Ginn, Study Hub Student Advisory started out as a programme for secondary school students to learn more about different academic majors and industries before it evolved into a student consultation. They strive to educate students on their options and opportunities for tertiary education and enable them to make the right decision when choosing which degree they wish to pursue. Study Hub provides students with free consultation concerning higher education choices. You can find them on Facebook.

They also provided programmes (before the COVID-19 pandemic) that allow secondary school students to experience different industries and work environments. Hence, connecting secondary schools to industries in a fun and educational way. They also have student tours, which let students learn more about living abroad, should they choose to study overseas. Study Hub gives a sneak peek of what’s behind the doors.

At the end of the day, what you desire to study may not be what you are passionate in making a living out of.

brian law, co-founder of study hub

So I Contacted Study Hub

I found out about Study Hub through my dad, who had worked with them in the past. So we scheduled a Zoom call with Study Hub. At first, I was nervous, but the student advisors were friendly and sociable. They told me about the different degrees I could pursue based on my interests, and which universities were willing to accept me, a student from a private school. They laid out the different costs of studying abroad in several different countries, which was really helpful. Study Hub also gave me more information on the degree I wished to study… like whether or not the said degree is difficult, or what careers I could pursue with the degree. They also shared what they knew from others who had taken the course of study that I was interested in. They answered all our questions and helped us gain a better understanding of things.

I still don’t know what degree or career I wish to pursue. I might go to university after I complete secondary school, or I might take a gap year. I’m not sure which university I want to apply to. However, thanks to Study Hub, I now have a clearer vision, a better understanding of my options. Because of the advice and information I received, it will be easier for me to make my decision when the time comes. Guess planning my future isn’t that scary after all.

Study Hub: The Solution To Your Tertiary Education Enquiries

So if you’re unsure of what your plans for tertiary education are, just contact Study Hub today! Maybe you already have a course of study in mind, but you want to know more about it. Study Hub can give you a preview of the different options in tertiary education, helping you to choose the right path.