Is a Vocational Degree for You?
If you view a degree as a way of entering the jobs market, then a vocational degree should help you. Alternatively, those who study other subjects might enjoy the actual study and still gain employment in the world of commerce.
What is a vocational degree?
In theory a vocational degree is a mix of academic theory combined with some practical training. This type of degree is targeted towards specific career paths. Medicine, the law, psychology and communications are examples of specific vocational degrees. An increasing number of students develop their vocational skills overseas by enrolling in colleges all over the world, such as an Israeli study abroad program or another international centre of excellence. Any type of degree should demonstrate that you have the ability to absorb information at speed, you can analyse complex subject matter and that you can write cogently and with authority.
Do you know what you want?
Some people take longer than others to decide on their future career. If this is the case, then perhaps you should just follow your passion, enjoy the delights of three years of study and then decide what you want to do upon graduation. Most of the people who cracked the Enigma code during World War 2 were great at logic, English and crossword solving; they probably weren’t so good at practical life or conventional careers.
What is an education?
A good education should mean a well-rounded, well-read and curious person, not someone who is stymied by the confines of their academic discipline. What happens if you have spent your time studying for a vocational degree only to discover that you’d join the 47% of graduates who were unable to find employment in their chosen discipline in 2013? Though, according to The Guardian those who took a degree in medicine and dentistry as well as media studies had the highest employment rates of 95% and 93 % respectively.
Why you should study?
Further education is a means of enriching your intellect, socialising with others and possibly securing a career for the future. It’s also the time when your senses will be open to new experiences and opportunities. Unfortunately, the days of guaranteed graduate employment have gone. If you choose to expand your knowledge by studying for your particular career path overseas, you may increase your chances of sourcing employment. The Daily Telegraph points out that perhaps the term ‘vocational degree’ can be seen as an ‘anachronism’ as all degrees provide skills for future employment. This is a debate that is being held against a backdrop of high graduate unemployment and jobs market that is in a state of flux.
Future prospects
There are bad doctors, ill prepared social workers and terrible orators in the House of Commons, and all the vocational degrees in the world can’t remedy these ills. So, if you know what profession you wish to enter then take a vocational degree, but be prepared to cross other hurdles in the future. Research the actual teaching of the degree, have a look at some alumni experiences and then make your decision. In this century, the days of a guaranteed job as a result of academic prowess are gone forever.
