How to choose a degree before the entrance exams: career guidance and prospects

You’re in the final sprint at high school. Between notes, mock exams and nerves about the university entrance exams, there’s a constant question that floats in the air (and that everyone asks you): "What are you going to study?

Feeling that you have to decide your professional future at the age of 17 or 18 creates a lot of pressure. Take a breath: choosing your university degree is important, but it’s not a final judgement. Today's labour market values flexibility and a willingness to learn.

If you’re still hesitating about what to put on your shortlist, here are some strategic career guidance tips to help you decide more clearly before you take your exams.

Vocation or career opportunities? The eternal dilemma

This is the big debate when it comes to degree choice. Do I pursue what I'm passionate about even if it has a reputation of "having no opportunities", or do I choose a degree that’s in high demand even if I'm not crazy about it? To make the right decision, look for the middle ground:

• Identify your balance zone: make a list of what you’re good at, what you like and what you think the market needs. The ideal degree is usually at the intersection of these three points.
• Forget the myths: today, humanities profiles are being hired in tech companies to train artificial intelligence, and science profiles are leading creative projects.
• Talk to real university students: before deciding, try to contact someone who’s already studying that degree or working in the sector. Ask them what their day-to-day life is like. The reality is often very different from what we imagine.

The professions of the future: where is the world going?

Even if you're going to study for vocation, it's always smart to know where the opportunities are going to be. Current trends suggest that the fastest growing sectors are:

• Artificial intelligence and data: everything related to data analysis, automation and AI development.
• Sustainability and environment: experts in renewable energies, circular economy and ecological transition.
• Health, care and biotechnology: with the advancement of science and an ageing population, this is a sector that’s growing all the time.
• Cybersecurity: protecting digital information is now a top priority for any company.

Plan B: What happens if you don't make the cut-off grade?

One of the biggest fears before the university entrance exams is not getting the grade you need for your first choice. Having a "Plan B" in place beforehand will take a lot of the anxiety out of taking the exam. If you don't make the grade, you have excellent alternatives:

• Vocational Education and Training (VET): advanced courses are a fantastic, very practical and highly employable pathway. They can also serve as a direct bridge to university later on.
• Enrol in a related degree: starting a degree in the same branch of knowledge allows you to validate many subjects and, if you keep your grades up, you can request a transfer to your main option the following year.
• Take a "gap year": taking advantage of a year to learn a language abroad, volunteer or work will give you maturity to decide your final path.

Your choice is more than a degree (and why your accommodation matters)

Choosing what to study often means making another big decision: leaving home and moving to cities with a great university atmosphere.

But be careful, your professional future will be influenced as much by what you learn in the classroom as by the people you surround yourself with outside it. This is where living at a hall of residence like Canvas Student becomes your first big competitive edge for your career guidance:

• Networking from day one: in a shared flat you live with 2 or 3 other people. At Canvas, you share common areas with dozens of students from different degrees, countries and interests.
• Enrich your vision: imagine being a future law student having a coffee with a computer engineering or fine arts student. This exchange of ideas opens your mind and gives you a multidisciplinary vision that’s extremely valuable for the job world.
• Independence and soft skills: learning to coexist, organise yourself and relate to the environment of our hall of residence will give you those social skills (adaptability, communication) that companies value so much nowadays.

Your professional future isn’t decided by a single exam. Explore your options, trust in your preparation and visualise the incredible stage you’re about to begin. Bring on the university entrance exams!