Help Me Decide My Future!

[Dion]

Originally Posted by rockstar

Whatever you do, make sure it's something you really want. If it isn't, get the hell out ASAP.

I had the last lecture of my university career today, now I'm graduating with a degree I ultimately didn't want and have no desire to use toward a career. And now I have no idea what to do with my life if my real dreams don't pan out.

Sorry for the hijack. Journalism or broadcasting woulda been cool, have fun! Heard good things about Ryerson, btw. SAIT too, actually.

No amount of post secondary education is a waste. So what if you get a degree in something you don't really want. That degree means something to most employers and will help you in getting a job.

I have a degree in business admin with a major in marketing management from SAIT. I didn't end up in a career related to my education, still the education I got was valuable in other aspects of my life.

[Deelow]

Originally Posted by OutOfTheCube

I'm a first year in the broadcasting program at SAIT. It's been pretty tough so far, but really rewarding. I'm learning TONS about the industry and everything to do with it... we really start digging into the actual radio production stuff next semester.

You have to REALLY want it to be able to do this program. It's not something you just walk into and breeze through so you can get on the radio. It's the real deal here.

That said, if you're up to the commitment, SAIT is a great choice. I can't tell you about any of the other colleges, but if you have any other questions about SAIT feel free to drop me a PM.

Say hello to Steve Olson.
I went through the SAIT program a few years ago. It was a lot of work.

[Sainters7]

Originally Posted by droopydrew19

If you decide this is indeed the career choice for you I would recommend starting to plant seeds early. Write for the college paper, Volunteer at the area tv stations / radio stations. Do not expect your practicum to land you a job, it is too late by then. The most successful classmates I had were in the industry (volunteering) before they were in the industry.

I agree. Al Lamb(I'm sure you had him) told us that if you get offered a job in the field while you're still in the broadcasting program, you should pretty much just drop the program and take the job, which a couple people did.

[Winsor_Pilates]

If you actually know what you want to do, consider yourself lucky. Most people have no idea when they start Uni, and still no idea when they leave it.

Take what you want to do with your career, and if you're not sure, take something that gives you lots of options.

Although, I like the job I'm at now, I would likely trade my BA for a BComm if I did it all over again. As someone who didn't know where they wanted to go after school, it would have given me more options.

[Berger_4_]

Wow, thanks for all of the quick replies...

W_P, no, I don't really know exactly what I want to do. What's scary though is the people in my class who have their entire lives planned out. It's crazy.

But I think this might be a good fit for me. God knows I can talk, so I'd be well qualified in that aspect...and hell, if I go and hate it, there's always the farm for me!

And I think I might apply to all of the places...what the hell, I'm only losing my application fee...

Couple more questions (or more accurately, the reiteration of a couple)...do you think it'd be a good idea to do the applied degree first and then transfer to the UofC? And how hard is it to get into these programs? I know they're all quota programs, so would it be really difficult for me to get into any of them?

Thanks again for all your help!

[OilersBaby]

Originally Posted by Got Miikka?

There is a lot of truth to this. Just because you don't end up finding work directly related to what you studied doesn't mean it wasn't worth it. Myself for example - took kinesiology as a major and film as a minor, but now work in banking; however, I am in great shape and I know a lot of sh*t about movies. Plus, as mentioned, the critical thinking and communication skills are invaluable tools in all aspects of life.

I agree. My degree is in Computer Science from San Jose State, minor in MIS. Now I work as a Sales and Marketing Manager and LOVE it! Often times, a degree gets your foot in the door (doesn't matter what degree). However, after that, it's all about what you want to do...although with professions that require licenses or exams (ie nurses or doctors or pharmacists, it may require that you go back to school if you decide to pursue something else).

I know it's hard as a young adult to know what you want to do for the rest of your life. My advice to you is do what you are GOOD at and then everything else will follow. I know it's hard financially but if you ENJOY what you do and are good at yoru job, you will be succesful. Better than doing something for the $$ but either sucking at it or hating it. If I was 10 years younger and could go back to uni, I would do a BA in Communications and a Masters Degree in Public Relations instead of a BSc in Computer science that i did, struggled through, and HATED. I know a bunch of stuff about programming and computers now but its pretty much useless otherwise. Just do what your'e good at.