can someone give me advice

8

I am currently living in Scotland and I am in s5 studying higher human biology, chemistry, english, computer science and national 5 mathematics. For national 5 I achieved all A's. This year I am predicted on achieving another set of A's. For s6 I am hoping to choose advanced higher biology, chemistry, either higher physics or advanced higher computer science, and higher mathematics. The problem is I don't know what I would like to do in terms of my career. Some undergrads that intrigue me are Pharmacy at the University of Strathclyde, Optometry at the University of Glasgow Caledonian, and software engineering at the University of Glasgow. Out of these 3 I would say I am most interested in software engineering BUT as I was researching into this career I often come across people saying to avoid this field as it is very difficult to land an actual job that's decent paying. That is what is making me very confused on what I actually want to do. After graduating I really would like to move to the USA, so please consider this factor as well when giving me any advice. Thank you! I'm also open to other career choices, i'm just super indecisive at the moment.

Reply 1

imxa6

Study Forum Helper

13

Original post

by Twilight_Angel2

I am currently living in Scotland and I am in s5 studying higher human biology, chemistry, english, computer science and national 5 mathematics. For national 5 I achieved all A's. This year I am predicted on achieving another set of A's. For s6 I am hoping to choose advanced higher biology, chemistry, either higher physics or advanced higher computer science, and higher mathematics. The problem is I don't know what I would like to do in terms of my career. Some undergrads that intrigue me are Pharmacy at the University of Strathclyde, Optometry at the University of Glasgow Caledonian, and software engineering at the University of Glasgow. Out of these 3 I would say I am most interested in software engineering BUT as I was researching into this career I often come across people saying to avoid this field as it is very difficult to land an actual job that's decent paying. That is what is making me very confused on what I actually want to do. After graduating I really would like to move to the USA, so please consider this factor as well when giving me any advice. Thank you! I'm also open to other career choices, i'm just super indecisive at the moment.

Hello, your options sound great! The thing is, and I sympathise with you as i feel the same, you have multiple areas of interests but can only pick one to go into. Think about what are your favourite subjects; if it's Chemistry, for example, go for Pharmacy. Also do some research and maybe work experience into each of these roles - things like salary, work life balance, etc. It is true that the software engineering job industry is very saturated, so maybe you could consider something alongside studying computing science if that is what you would want to do, for example computing science and maths (which is broad and covers a lot of concepts) or computing with electrical systems (i think something like this is offered at Strath). Optometry is pretty cool and has a large job scope; once you graduate you have a good salary, flexible work-life balance and can set up your own practice if that is something you'd like. Overall, all of your options are great and pretty viable imo, so choose what you like best 🙂 I completely understand the indecision, it took me ages before I finally figured out what I wanted to do after school and even therefore picked a broad range of Higher subjects 🙂 .

Reply 2

University of Strathclyde

Official Rep

15

Original post

by Twilight_Angel2

I am currently living in Scotland and I am in s5 studying higher human biology, chemistry, english, computer science and national 5 mathematics. For national 5 I achieved all A's. This year I am predicted on achieving another set of A's. For s6 I am hoping to choose advanced higher biology, chemistry, either higher physics or advanced higher computer science, and higher mathematics. The problem is I don't know what I would like to do in terms of my career. Some undergrads that intrigue me are Pharmacy at the University of Strathclyde, Optometry at the University of Glasgow Caledonian, and software engineering at the University of Glasgow. Out of these 3 I would say I am most interested in software engineering BUT as I was researching into this career I often come across people saying to avoid this field as it is very difficult to land an actual job that's decent paying. That is what is making me very confused on what I actually want to do. After graduating I really would like to move to the USA, so please consider this factor as well when giving me any advice. Thank you! I'm also open to other career choices, i'm just super indecisive at the moment.

Hey @Twilight_Angel2 🙂 I agree with @imxa6 - all of these options are really good programmes to be considering, but are quite different so I know why it might be feeling confusing just now! I'd recommend considering visiting universities and attending things like open days to give you a flavour for different courses. You'd have the chance to visit and attend different lectures, chat with academics and current students to ask them what they enjoy about their course. You can also use tools like Unibuddy to reach out to current students as well.

Have you had a look on the Prospects website yet? They normally have quite a lot of good insight in to employability and you might be able to find some info on working in the USA as well. Will link to the website here if that helps! I find it really useful 🙂

Another thing to be mindful of is the entry requirements - for example if you'd consider our Software Engineering degree we'd require Higher Maths so that would be a necessary subject to take once you've completed the Nat 5 this year 📚️ Maybe something to factor in with your S6 choices!

Have you sat any prelims yet? Hope they went well if so!!

Caitlin 🎓️
Official University of Strathclyde Rep

(edited 9 months ago)

can someone give me advice

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