Education 101: 5 Steps for Choosing the Right Degree Program

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Choosing a new degree program is always overwhelming, regardless of your academic stage. You are bombarded with a lot of thoughts. Your parents’ and relatives’ expectations further increase the stress you are already submerged in. Therefore, selecting a degree is not an easy decision to make. If taken wrong, its consequences can be felt for many years. 

Many students make a wrong decision and regret the choice of their degree program. They may even change many programs before finally finding one. Research from Strada Education and Gallup tells that more than 50% of students regret their higher education decision. Often this happens when you don’t consider the critical aspects of choosing a degree program. 

Let us get straight to the topic. 

1. Focus on your interest

Start the process by considering areas that excite you the most. These days, many turn to an online computer engineering degree as the jobs are robust and its in high demand. Do you enjoy number crunching and can do calculations even in your sleep? If so, you need to get into mathematics, statistics, accounting, or any other field involving numbers. 

Or, do you love to work around young kids; in that case, you can choose to be a Montessori instructor. Or perhaps you can spend hours drawing and doodling without keeping track of time. Your inclination to such activities shows that you have a creative mind that must be polished by getting you into a relevant field of study. 

Some people like to help others in pain, such as getting through an ailment. Healthcare is one of those areas that these people can get into. They can become doctors or nurses or get into other healthcare fields. 

Choosing nursing can be prudent, especially in the post-pandemic era, when the demand for educated nurses is skyrocketing. Hospitals are in search of nurses with at least a BSN degree. This explains the rising demand for online rn to BSN programs in various highly prestigious universities. Remote nursing programs have become a solution to keep nurses working and ensuring their higher education simultaneously. 

2. Consider your abilities

Your abilities determine what you can do the best. They get you through the tough years of a degree program. Therefore, considering your abilities before choosing a degree program is a must. 

Naturally, you will have many options, but you can accept only one program. So, making your list of possibilities short is a necessary step in the entire process of choosing a degree program. 

Understanding your underlying strengths and weaknesses is a great way to get through the first round of elimination. At this stage, it should not matter what others around you are doing. You cannot be influenced by the fact that all your brothers or sisters are doctors or have chosen a healthcare field. Asking them for their opinion or advice is okay, but taking pressure from unrealistic expectations is not. You have to carve your path based on your capabilities. 

Also, passion for studying a field often diminishes if you cannot perform. Ultimately, you lose all interest in something you used to admire. Therefore, your end goal should be to choose a field where your passion and abilities interweave. 

Explore your strengths by considering the subjects you admired the most in school and the tasks and activities that thrilled you.

3. Consider what you value

Your value system is your guiding force. They lead you through life and help you make decisions that shape your life. Therefore, it is imperative to consider your values when choosing a degree. They will come your way during academic and practical life. 

For instance, if you value honesty and ethics but get into a career where bribery is standard or red tape is prevalent. Your values will try to block your way, nudging you to do the right thing by creating cognitive dissonance. This way, you won’t be able to give your hundred percent unless you abandon your value system. 

Similarly, if you are an introvert and like to keep it low, a career in sales that requires you to socialize will pose challenges and will likely be a headache. 

On the contrary, if you choose a degree program that aligns with your core beliefs and values, your hard work will look more rewarding to you.

4. Consider the job outlook

Choosing and studying a degree program is just the first step; the goal is to get a job at the end of your degree program. If you choose a degree program with truncated demand in the market, you will likely struggle when it is time to get employed. You must get into a career where you can easily find a job. Otherwise, regardless of your passion for your degree program, you will likely be stressed if you fail to get a good job. 

Take nursing, for example. Nursing is a thriving career. The demand for nurses is riding on an unstoppable train. According to official estimates, the employment of registered nurses is expected to grow 6 percent in the next decade. Nursing seems to be a great degree and career choice if you look through this information. But the same cannot be said for every career. Therefore, when shortlisting degree options, research their job outlook too. 

5. Consider the salary prospects

You might be too adamant to admit that money does not motivate your decision to choose a career path. Still, the reality is always far from it. Whether getting rich is not your primary goal when choosing a career path, money always matters. You need money to survive, pay for your expenses, and fulfill your responsibilities. So, be realistic and consider how much you will earn after getting a job in your chosen field. 

You will not want to struggle financially even after getting a higher education and a job. Therefore, choose a degree program to help you get a high-paying job. 

Some careers pay more than others. For instance, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, technology), healthcare, business, programming, etc., are high-paying careers. Even the entry-level salary of graduates with STEM careers is more than many jobs. According to Korn Ferry, entry-level STEM graduates (engineers) earns a salary of approximately $70,000 per year in Australia. Overall, graduates who choose STEM careers earn more than their peers at the same level regardless of their country. 

Conclusion

Choosing a degree program is a major decision that often requires considering various important aspects. Some of those aspects are mentioned in the article above. Choosing a degree by appraising it through these standards will help you make the right decision.