4 Questions to Help You Find the Best Course For Yourself

According to a survey by ZipRecruiter, 44% of all current job seekers with college degrees regret their college major choices - isn't that crazy?

It can be difficult for international students to choose the best and right course, as there are innumerable education providers to select from, and an excess of information online.

Australia is known for globally recognized qualifications and provides a variety of courses to match your needs. But if you don't know which course, institute, or university to choose, keep reading!

To help you find the right course best suited to your own needs, here are 4 questions you can consider:

1. What areas are you interested in?

Before embarking on the journey to study abroad, ask yourself, what is my passion?

What sparks joy and excitement in your life, and how does that translate into higher education?

Don't make the mistake of taking on degrees or programs simply because you are told to do so - by your family, friends, or societal validation (such as trends and traditional values).

After all, you are the one spending years abroad studying the program, and most likely pursue a lifetime career based on it.

2. What does the career trajectory look like?

Now that you have selected maybe 3-5 areas of interest, research them. What do their career prospects look like?

Make a chart with factors you consider that could be deal-breakers for you:

• Lifestyle: What kind of lifestyle does the job embody, hustle and bustle vs. laidback? is it demanding & consumes most of your time? Which one do you prefer?
• Salary: What is the entry-level salary? Further, consider its career progression speed.
• Stability: Do you enjoy unpredictable challenges in life or consistency and stability? Which interests appeal to that preference when you start working?

There are no right answers - it solely depends on what you value in your future career!

3. Think practically: Finances & eligibility

Now that you have narrowed down interests while balancing career prospects, it's time to be practical. How realistic is your selection, in terms of application and finances?

• Application (Am I eligible?) - Language requirements, high school minimum scores…
• Finances (Do I have sufficient funds?) - Tuition fees, scholarships, financial aid, family support…

Don't worry if you get stuck on this stage; these obstacles can be overcomable, if you are truly passionate about your choice. We can help in demonstrating this in your application!

4. What do you look for in a university/institute?

Finally, now that the most complicated aspects are figured out, you can start thinking about what you value the most in higher education, and list them down by importance. Here are some examples:

• University reputation
• Social life
• Internship, exchange or traveling opportunities
• Research resources
• Location
• Tuition fees

Again, there are no right answers, just personal preference!

And that's a wrap-up, hopefully it helped! Keep in mind that the key to ensuring the least amount of regrets is informed decision-making. There are no right-or-wrongs in the answers, but you need to understand the questions in your own unique context. (What am "I" interested in? what kind of career and lifestyle do "I" want?)

Still a bit confused, don't know where to start, or need help to apply? Educonnect has expert student advisors to guide you through the whole process, don't hesitate to connect with us now!