« Back | Home » Ask Lynn. Helping people

Dear Al-Girvan

Well done on being the top learner in all your subjects. Reading through your enquiry I notice two themes emerging. The one is scientific and involves Information Technology (computers) and Earth Sciences (Geology, Geography). The second is medical and health sciences (radiologist, helping people with injuries). I am going to deal with each theme separately below:
 

Information Technology requires mathematics and another science (physical science or information technology). You therefore have the right subjects to apply for a BSc Information Technology offered by a university or a National Diploma: Information technology offered by a university of technology. However, the focus in this field is not on helping people.

Geology also requires a BSc degree from a university. Once again you have the correct combination of subjects (mathematics, geography and physical science). While there is quite a lot of people contact in this career the focus is not on helping people.

If you combine your interest in earth sciences with information technology you could also consider a BSc degree in geomatics. Once again while there is some people contact, the focus is not on helping people directly.

The medical sciences and health sciences offer many opportunities to help people. Once again you have all the right subjects (mathematics, physical sciences and life sciences). Please note applications for health and medical sciences close in May.

The medical and health sciences are covered by qualifications offered by universities and universities of technology.  University qualifications for medical doctors (which you have indicated you are not interested in) together with physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, dietetics and dentistry need to be considered. While you have all the right subjects you also need to be getting a mixture of A and B symbols to be able to get in.  Universities of Technology entrance requirements are not as strict and the following national diploma courses are offered: biomedical technology (working in a laboratory often helping with diagnosis), dental assisting, dental technology, emergency medical care (working at the scene of accidents and incidents), optical dispensing (prescribing glasses) and radiography (which includes diagnostic, therapy, nuclear medicine and ultrasound). Radiography, in particular, makes use of life sciences, mathematics, physical sciences and uses computer guided instruments and equipment together with computerised diagnostic programs such as MRI.

Use the following webpage on the Career Planet website to identify suitable higher education institutions and their admission requirements and closing dates:  http://www.careerplanet.co.za/_pages/places_to_study

We suggest you explore at least the University of Cape Town (www.uct.ac.za), Stellenbosch University (www.sun.ac.za), the University of the Western Cape (www.uwc.ac.za) and the Cape Peninsular University of Technology (www.cput.ac.za).

I hope this information helps you make an informed career decision. Please let us know how you get on.

Lynn and the Career Planet Team