'Best' Course to take is...

"What is the best course that you have?"
"Which course is most popular?"
"Which one can help land a job with the highest pay?"

In all my years of providing counseling during the education fairs, these are the most common (variations) of questions asked by parents.

In their (misguided) intention of planning for the future of their children, parents tend to focus more on "monetary" security rather than what their children is actually interested in. And therein lies the problem .. a mismatch of the rigorous demand of a particular course of study against the interest/capability of a student.

The other extreme end of the most common question asked is
"Which is the easiest course to pass?"
This question is asked by those who realised that they are academically "under-achievers". The objective here is to just get a degree, any degree, on the (false) perception that it will be easier to get a job with a degree qualification.

Here is my advise:

"What is the best course that you have?"
There is no particular "best" course that an institution have. There is only a "more appropriate" course for a particular student (based on student's interest and capabilities).

"Which course is most popular?"
There is a most popular course, but then again, will it be suitable for you?

"Which one can help land a job with the highest pay?"
Before you talk about high salaries, will you be able to graduate from the course (i.e pass all the exams)?

"Which is the easiest course to pass?"
There is no "easiest" course, only less demanding course (e.g. engineering vs marketing), but if there is no interest to begin with, even a less demanding course can be difficult to complete.


So then, how to know which course to choose?

Decisions, decisions, decisions...

It's that time of the year again, where the PARENTS go 'hunting' for 'suitable' courses for their children to pursue. The SPM/STPM examinations are over, no time to waste, 'the early bird gets the worm...', etc., etc. Classes will start in Jan 2010.

What's wrong with this scenario, may I ask? Why are the PARENTS doing the hunting?
While the parents are so eager to start their children off on the (next) right footing, the children themselves are trying their best to enjoy their 'hard-earned' holiday.

"...they are doing nothing at home....waste of time...watching TV all the time...going out with friends, spending money..."

"Might as well get them started early, after all, they will have to continue their studies. Why wait...?"

"I think my daughter should do Accounting. She's good with Maths. Good job prospect."

"Only an Engineering degree will do for my son. He will be an Engineer. Good job prospect (and money and status)."

What's wrong with this scenario, may I ask?

What's lacking in our post-SPM students?

Let me qualify the above statement. I don't think anything is lacking (not in the negative sense). The perception of something lacking comes from differences in expectation - parents, teachers/lecturers, and students themselves.

Parents - expect them to be obedient, good students (i.e. good results), self-reliant, etc. In short, all the good stuff they can be proud about (and brag about).

Teachers - expect them to be well-behaved, score good grades, bring glory to the school, etc. In short, all the positive traits they can be proud of (and ....).

Students - just trying to find themselves, and trying to have fun while doing it. Most of the time, not getting enough guidance and encouragement.