Are you thinking about doing a short course or a university degree to improve your career prospects? Here are a few questions you should get answered before starting so that you reduce the chances of having regrets afterwards. After all, studying and taking exams can impact your life. There is the time variable you have to think about, and if you're taking out a loan to finance your education, you will be increasing your debt.
What is the supply and demand like for jobs related to your course?
Let's say you're going to do accounting... Have you checked to see whether many businesses and individuals need accounting services? And let's say the demand is high for accountants, that doesn't necessarily mean that the supply is low. If the supply is low and the demands are high, the wages for accountants will be larger. If however, there are many people that already have the skillsets you're looking to acquire - the supply is going to be more abundant, which means that wages for accountants will be lower. The worst case scenario is a demand for accountants that is low and a supply which is very high.
If money matters to you, then ensure there is the right balance of supply and demand for the services you are learning to provide.
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How much of your time are you prepared to commit?
If you're already working, you may not have enough time to commit to a course. Studying instead of relaxing can lead to a lot of stress. It's not easy to work and also study, especially if you work long hours. Say you already work 30 hours per week... 20-30 hours of studying (on top of that) would lead to 50-60 hours of work per week. Working 50-60 hours per week for months or even years is going to be incredibly difficult. Could you handle that mentally, considering the other obligations you have apart from work and study?
What if you have a start up business that is going well? Do you really want to remove energy from that project? Perhaps it would be better to fully commit yourself to your business. You may not be making a lot of money right now, but in the future you might be able to make a lot of money doing what you're truly passionate about.
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What's the interest for your student loan and also the payback terms?
Before taking out a loan to finance anything, make sure the interest rates are generous and that the payback terms are reasonable. Will your future job pay you enough to cover the student loans and interest, or will you be breaking your back working to clear off debts? Before committing yourself to any course, especially one that requires money, make sure you can afford it and that you won't be turning yourself into a debt slave. Is your effort really worth it?
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Can you see yourself in the job you're training for, for years to come?
If you don't really see yourself doing the job - related to the course you've seen - for 5-10 years, why start? It's better to commit to something you will enjoy doing. Doing a job you hate will make you have regrets. If you're putting money and time into a course, make sure it will lead to a happy future. Okay, you may get a bit of money for doing a job you hate, but do you really want to be miserable for years? Remember, you will have to spend hours in that job. You'll be waking up early to attend work. If you like what you do, the chances are you'll never quit, and also, the money you invested in the course will be money well spent instead of badly spent.
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Who will be teaching you?
Someone will be lecturing you on your course... Who is the lecturer? Can you get along? Do you like the way the lecturer communicates? You may have to deal with this person regularly for months or years. If you can't stand the sound of their voice, completing the course is going to be far more difficult. When learning, it's important to be in an environment that suits you, so that you can perform to a high standard. If you can't get along with your teacher, there's a huge barrier to success. Spend some time getting to know the person who'll be teaching you.
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How many students will be in the classroom?
If a classroom is going to be packed, you will probably get less attention from your teacher. The noise levels will also be higher. Are you someone that needs a lot of help in class, or are you very independent? Can you deal with a lot of noise or does it make you lose concentration? Once again, you want to be performing at your best and absorbing as much information as you can. What is your classroom environment going to be like? Do you have any health issues which might impact the way you deal with noise? Questions such as this are crucial.
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If you are thinking about enrolling on a course, I hope the questions I've provided here will be helpful and assist you in making a correct decision. I know from my own experience how difficult it can be to make these kinds of choices. Also, before investing in anything, seek professional advice. The opinions expressed in this article are my own, and may not apply to everyone's needs and tastes. I'm just offering an extra perspective.
Follow me at https://read.cash/@mathematics.proofs for more useful articles. I am also on social media: https://www.instagram.com/tiago_hands
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