Boomerang

Hello All,

What a beautiful morning here in the Uk ( London ), it looks like summer for the first time since summer actually started Hehehe.

Decisions decisions...

Ok im planning my future, i have a simple question for our members in Australia, im not sure really what to study for my university degree ( sociology, international studies, etc...), and since i want go to Australia one day ( before im 29 ), i might as well study something thats going to be usefull in Australia, but i just cant decide and time is ticking and im 22 already.

Any advice? Whats the degree worth having in Australia? What do you recommend?

Many Thanks

Regards,
Pedro

JayneS

I reckon marine biology sounds nice.
or zoololgy
I'm thinking of enrolling at college myself when I get to sydney but not sure what to do.
I used to work at Griffith Uni in Brisbane and what a nice place to study!

seang

you planning on studying in uk ?

Boomerang

Hello

Thats another thing i havent decided since if i wanted to study in Australia i would have to save 80K A$ ( that is ALOT of red notes ) so that would mean working and saving for 2 years here in the Uk.

The cheap route is to study and save here in the Uk, then apply under skilled migration.

seang

just be sure that you meet the requirements (the 12/18 months or 3/4yrs)for points after getting degree(and then working) and that your job/skill is a probable on the SOL.

bundy

From my perspective, working for a UK university, international studies is the way to go at the moment. Lots of research going on in this field, and great opportunities to get involved with both governmental and non-governmental agencies wherever you are in the world.

darkless

Which Uni do you work for? Cambridge?

Dave

darkless

Sorry, didn't comment on the original question.

I would say that you should study a subject at Uni which you enjoy, first and foremost. Of course consider the job prospects in Australia (an arctic specialist may struggle), but don't base it purely on this because what is needed now, may not be needed in (upto) 7 years time, when you are able to go.

You will enjoy Uni and do better at your degree if you actually want to learn more about the subject, rather than it will get me a good job one day. If you know what I mean.

Vegemite Kids

where are you thinking about in OZ ?????


If its WA, then there is no discussion. Do either geology or mining technology.

The whole state is built around the mining industry and you can earn a fortune (saw a job for an experienced geologist advertised last week and the salary on offer was $160K)

Even a CAT dumpster (775-777-778) driver can earn over $70K pa.

bundy

Yep, Cambridge. Was here as a student and kind of failed to move on

You're right about having to enjoy your degree, but it is also good to think pragmatically about where it might take you. I studied English, which is about as useful as a leaky bucket in terms of future employment, esp in Oz where uni courses are much more vocational. Loved it, did well in it, but it's not the most helpful subject unless you want to be an English teacher or journalist!

Best of both worlds is to find something you enjoy but which can also be adapted to what you might like to do in life. Or at least have skills that are transferrable....

darkless

Hi Bundy,

The reason I asked was because I currently (until the end of next week) have been doing some work for APU - albeit at the Chelmsford Campus, not Cambridge. But you are at the proper Uni, so I shall end this conversation now

Yeah of course is has to be a balance. I was really keen on meterology when I was applying for uni and stuff, but I also (via my father) had a keen interest in Computers. In the end I made the decision to go with computers and as I enjoyed that too I made a good choice because I have had some good jobs (APU aside ) I doubt I would have been able to say that if I had gone down the meterology route.

Dave

bundy

LOL! Yes, speaking from the proper university. My ar*e. I hate all that APU/CU divide. Everyone's getting an educaiton, doesn't matter where or how. We have a lot of APU lecturers working for us, mainly for the cutting edge subjects like international relations because CU is stuck in the dark ages!

darkless

Yeah APU isnt too bad to be honet. They do especially well in the East Anglia region, offering HE in FE colleges, which i think is providing a good service.

I have to say that working in a Uni has been a fairly cushy number - hence why I am on here a lot recently.

I have worked for Ford, BT and a large IT Consultancy but life working in a Uni is so much easier and my "work-life-balance" is much improved since being here.

Dave

bundy

Why do you think I'm still working for one?


There are distinct benefits to working for a uni...but pay isn't one of them. You get more money in the private sector, but less perks. The mental summer months aside, my work-life balance is much better than that of my peers in their high-pressure corporate jobs. They have the money, I have the time!

Boomerang

Thanks all, for your advice.