Are you making the right choices for your tertiary education?

Choosing a tertiary education institution is a decision that is not taken lightly, and with justification. A large majority of students are opting to study at places that give them practical skills and knowledge that they will require in the workplace. There are three things you need to take into consideration when choosing where to study: what makes the institution different; what will the institution have or do for you; what do you actually need from the institution.

The end-point reason of any tertiary education is to be employable at the end of your studies. You should be able to walk up to a company, present your qualification and have it accepted as a bona fide document identifying you as someone the organisation will want to employ.

Many school leavers enter into degrees and courses without having gone through a period of introspection and assessment. There are those who do not know what career they want to follow and often fall into a path that may not suit them. There are a number of reasons for this - family pressure, glamour of the career and guesswork, amongst others.

Don't waste your money taking the wrong course

You are going to be paying money to study, and you don't want to waste it. At Rosebank College we have a programme called 'Work My Future', which is a comprehensive assessment and assistance service that finds out students likes and aptitudes, suggests possible careers and then the course or courses necessary to ensure they reach that goal. We also offer students mock job interviews; which helps them with job searches and getting their CVs out in the marketplace.

I suggest school leavers draw up a list of needs when choosing a tertiary education institution, which includes, amongst others:

• How the institution is positioned in terms of respect, reputation and results - many students will apply at a college or university based on word of mouth recommendation from their peers, mentors and parents. It is important to know what organisation the institution is accredited to. With so many Further Education and Training colleges springing up, there is the very real possibility that some of them will be fly-by-night. Investigate their history and background because you want a college that is credible. Some companies will look twice and a little more favourably at a CV that includes the name of a certain institution. They will know from experience what quality of graduate the organisation produces. That reputation carries much weight in the workplace and in human resources divisions: it's about how well the graduates are prepared for business after student life; what skills will they be equipped with; and whether they can adapt to the change.

• The physical position of the campus. Students have to be able to get to the place of learning. Not everyone can afford a car and public transport is a major issue in South Africa. Ease of access, nearby accommodation and, yes, coolness of location are taken into consideration.
  
• The size of the classes is important. Smaller classes mean a more personalised and extensive education. Receiving continuous feedback from lecturers will make the course more pleasurable and rewarding.
  
• What support does the college offer on campus? Tertiary education demands more discipline than school as you are not spoon-fed courses, and adapting to this can be a shock to the system of students. Find out which colleges offer on-campus guidance if you find yourself a little behind, and what services they will provide to you in your search for employment.
  
• Tertiary activities for students. Work hard and play hard. It's no fun studying all the time. See what sports, societies and social activities are on offer.
  
• Ask if the institution keeps up with the advances in technology. Tablets, netbooks and smartphones are all becoming instruments of education. An institution with up-to-date IT systems and software is one that is making your education relevant to the ever-changing world.

Always start your search with WHAT job you want to do.

It makes the decision process so much simpler and will make the student more secure and happier with their choice. Then investigate your options, check the background, quality and reputation of the organisation, the courses they offer and the support you as the paying student will receive. If you prepare well for the next stage of your life, then you will succeed.

Rosebank College has five campuses around South Africa, most of them within central locations in Johannesburg, Benoni, Cape Town, Pretoria and Durban. They offer a variety of courses from business management to journalism.

For more information go to www.rosebankcollege.co.za