Nadia Asks: I am currently in the Marketing sector specializing in trade and in need of a boost. I have had done NDP (non diploma studies) within the marketing field. I have also done various other vocational courses. Now that I am able to pay for my own studies, I would like to choose wisely. I’m a 33 year old married women with children and I reside in Cape Town. The problem is … I have 3 ideas:

1: Do a Bcom in Marketing – 3 year, I will grow within this field and maybe prosper financially. This is the logical move and in the direction of work that I am. But is this direction the path that I would like to take … answer .. I don’t know!

2: Do a BA (HUS) General with a M’s in Anthropology and Psychology…. WOW! It scares and excites me. These subject matters interest me ‘big-time’.
This is not a logical move, it does not seem to yield any future benefits but it could as we are not sure what future ‘employment’ structures will look like.

3: OR a BA (LAL) … this would be a field have been for 10 years now .. I do enjoy writing and creative writing … it will pay the bills, but does it yield any benefits for my future. This is just an exciting and I can once again see myself doing this in a business … there are many other benefits of this degree.

I have an end in mind: Me(aged 60) and hubby sitting in a very modest house close to the beach … writing a novel or someting. Best wishes from the Career Planet Team

Dear Nadia I think it is absolutely wonderful that you are giving yourself the gift of education. Before I begin my reply I must confess I am flummoxed - what are  BA (HUS) and (LAL) degrees?

To help with making an informed decision, we suggest you perform some or all of the following steps to determine what you really want from your studies:

• Put the money into a savings account or a fixed deposit so it can grow while you make a decision. Aim to start in 2011 once you have gathered all the information. You will need to start the registration process mid year (May / June) this year. 
• Collect information about each course by exploring UCT, UWC, UNISA and Stellenbosch websites. Also look at similar courses offered by the Cape Peninsular University of Technology. Explore both full time and part-time courses.
• Collect information about the careers that these courses lead you towards from the university websites and then chat with people who are happily employed in that field. For example:
  • BCom Marketing : public relations, sales, marketing and advertising
  • BA with languages: media, diplomatic service, education, publishing, tourism and translation
  • BA with Anthropology and Psychology: social science researcher
• Consider the consequences of taking each course (advantages and disadvantages) 
• Consider what you value – for example, a secure income or the chance to learn something new. In other words what is going to make you feel happy?
• Why do you want to study? For example, to be promoted within your current field or to explore new areas of interest with the view to changing careers.
• Decide what criteria you are going to use to evaluate each option. Fro example, number of career options, future income, personal growth and happiness, etc

We also suggest you look at a BA with communications subjects as a way of entering the world of Public Relations. Have you thought about attending a University of Technology – they have some wonderful marketing, public relations and journalism national diplomas which you can follow with a degree called a Btech.

Please consult the following career page for western cape higher education institutions. http://www.careerplanet.co.za/_pages/places_to_study

To help you gather information about yourself, you could also consider a career development assessment performed by a career counsellor, psychometrist or a psychologist. Best wishes from the Career Planet Team

Jessica asks: I'm 19 years old, I recently finished my NSC at Mopani FET College in February this year and would like you know if you can help me, I've been searching on the internet for some time now looking for someone who can assist me with my career choice, iv been to universities to do tests and nothing helps me, its not as easy as someone telling you on a piece of paper what career path they think you should take, going to study and thats it, for me thing are more complicated and there is no way i can help myself.

I'm currently working at PG Glass in a small mining town Phalaborwa, next to the kruger National Park, I come from Pretoria and it was a big change moving here where things are very different to a big city, anyways i just need do something with my life, i want to do something that i enjoy ect, we young people need to get an education, so that our lives can improve. I've made lists of careers that kind of intrest me, and of things I like and dislike etc but im not getting anywhere. Is there a chance i can get help by you?

Dear Jessica: Well done on getting a job at PG Glass in Phalaborwa instead of spending a GAP Year wasting time. Getting work experience is likely to help a lot towards helping you to figure out what you enjoy and what you don't enjoy.

Bernadette asks: Please assist me I'm having problems deciding on what career I want to follow.