Previously, we covered 5 tips to level up your professional game in order to be career-ready and to improve for your next work experience. Today, we’re backtracking a little to see what options an individual could explore before diving straight into tertiary or post-secondary education. It is important to map out one’s education and career trajectory with a few back-ups on hand so that they can be prepared for situations as life-changing as the current pandemic.

Read on for a brief guide on how to efficiently map out your future out after graduating high school!

1. The bridge to Post-Secondary and Tertiary Education:

A lot of universities around the world offer courses or programmes that allow students to bridge the gap between high school and university without taking the huge leap directly. The transition is, needless to say, an immense one. This can take a toll on peoples’ ability to adjust themselves to a more independent and competitive environment. To help students with this, there are “foundation year courses” that many also refer to as college, pre-university courses, or TVET (Technical-Vocational Education and Training). These are usually one or two year-long courses that allow students to get ready for their next step, much like our own TVET programme. The School of Careers offers students the opportunity to proceed into the next phase of work or study equipped with better knowledge, confidence, expert-level guidance, and an employability boost. We already offer a diverse set of industry-level courses to prepare you for the next step in your career.

2. Unsure of what to pick or where to go? Opt for an undecided major:

Almost all universities offer students the opportunity to try their hand at more than one discipline so that they can see which course or major is their best fit. A more “generic” or broad range of courses are offered to help students narrow down their options. An undecided major may be a questionable decision for some who already know exactly what they want to do right after high school, but that may not be the case for a lot of students who either aren’t aware of what they excel at or they simply cannot pick what interests them the most. If you’re unsure of what to pick, an undecided major is a wise decision to make while still continuing your post-secondary education. Note: this option depends upon the institution and country. For countries such as Malaysia, there are the other listed options to consider!

3. Or take a break! Travel or explore your options better:

There seems to be some stigma when students opt for an undecided major when going to university or if they choose to take a gap year for various reasons. What some people find difficult to comprehend is that sometimes, a break is needed to plan for the years ahead and to explore their options – not everybody has a fixed route to higher education. So while the previous option may be a great idea for those who want to continue with an undergraduate degree, there are those who might benefit more if they opt for a break instead. There are multiple pre-university exchange programmes that one can pick to experience new countries/cultures, or you may simply take a break from everything to prepare for whatever comes next. Do keep in mind that progress is not linear, each individual can have a plan of their own!

4. Open up with work experiences:

It is unlikely that you will be offered any permanent positions unless you’re pursuing an undergraduate degree or already hold one – which is why the next option is part-time work or internships. To increase your chances of getting noticed and landing a position, check out these pointers that will help you level up professionally.

Also do check out our comprehensive guide on the top places to go to when applying for work experiences, you’ll be surprised to see how applicants can overlook these.

5. Learn something new!

Get certified or accredited by taking up courses, join clubs and societies, invest your time in passion projects. Not only do such initiatives look great on a resume, they also help you gain more confidence in yourself – eventually you might find that university or college won’t seem as daunting! Spending time and energy on productive projects that you enjoy can also help you gain a wider skill-set for your future benefit.

You can always register or interview for societies. Develop your public speaking with Toastmasters, work your research and debate skills on international affairs with MUN, strengthen leadership with youth societies like AIESEC, etc. The choices are endless. as they give you the opportunity to build relationships with friends and possibly with future colleagues, at the same time helping you shape yourself. Again, some clubs have pre-requisites that may suit only current students, so maybe one can look into other external societies or youth groups.

Earning online certificates by completing courses and modules is a significant achievement that’s bound to impress anybody who comes across your profile! In fact, it’s even more common now that learning has been turning entirely virtual and remote. Some options include signing up for platforms such as Coursera or Udemy. Or even better, we’ll save you the trouble. Our top in-house courses are available for you to browse through right here.

The aim of this piece is to allow you readers to understand that there are more options out there apart from the traditional university degree route. It is possible to stay on track while taking a break to work out the path that seems the most beneficial to you – there are multiple life factors to think of and the above ideas are merely suggestions to help you on your educational journey. Always remember to do your own thorough research and to consider the practicalities no matter which way you choose to go!