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Since the moment I decided to study English Literature at university, I have never regretted my decision. Studying English Literature has given me the space to discover the world through many different angles focusing on the nature of humanity and has opened up my eyes to so many new perspectives. My love for English Literature and my decision to study English Literature came about when I was doing my A-levels, but this decision was not always supported by my parents. They were concerned about the lack of a clear career path with English Literature and asked ‘This degree got job ah?’ I finally managed to convince them that I will indeed have a job at the end of this degree, and they agreed to it and are incredibly supportive to this day. If you are like me and have dreams of going off your parents chosen path for you (my chosen path was Medicine), here are a few steps to get you started and allow you to present a solid case to your parents. But remember, nothing is ever set in stone in these pathways, so if your interests change, you can always try a different path.
1. Do some thinking.
Around the time after you finish your PT3 exams, you will start being asked about your future career plans. During this time, your parents and other adults around you will also start pushing you into career paths they feel are suitable for you. Although you still have plenty of time to make decisions and make changes to your plans, it may be a good time to start thinking about your areas of interest.
A good way to think through this is to consider three things, 1) what you are interested in, 2) what you are good at, and 3) what you don’t like. When you do your research later, this will help you consider and rule out potential career paths. For example, if you are interested in helping people, and you are good at talking to people, but you hate blood or any other bodily excretion, it may not be a good idea to pursue medicine, instead, you could look at a career in social or community work.
2. Do your research.
Once you discover your interests, it’s good to start researching potential career paths. With the internet today, researching careers and further education options cannot be easier. Many universities and colleges, both public and private, local or overseas, offer a range of different courses that lead to even more diverse career paths. Just a quick Google search will show you the range of options available.
If you are interested in more unconventional career paths, the most important step in presenting your case to your parents is research. Your parents only want the best for you, so if you can show them evidence that you have a clear, solid and achievable plan, they are more likely to support your decision.
3. Start learning
Also with the brilliance of the internet, you have greater access to a wide source of knowledge. From the internet, you can start learning more about your chosen field, adding value to that presentation for your parents! You can even start taking online courses from websites like Coursera and Udemy. Besides there is a wealth of Wikipedia articles, Youtube videos, online magazines and other resources on the internet. It would also be a bonus if you are able to gain access to books on the subject, whether from bookstores or the library.
Knowledge is most important especially if you want to explore a career pathway that may not necessarily be related to your field of interest. For example, if you study English Literature at university you may want to enter a career in Marketing or Advertising. Although your language and writing skills is something you’ll get from your English Literature degree, reading up a bit more on Marketing and Advertising will help you later when you’re on a job or internship hunt. Also, besides learning about different fields, try taking up another language. Sites like Duolingo, Memrise and Babel can help you there.
4. Gain some experience
This is the most important step. Gain some experience in the field you’re interested in by looking at volunteering opportunities. If you have the opportunity to travel and stay in Kuala Lumpur for an extended period of time, there are many opportunities awaiting you. There are also a whole range of events that you might find interesting where you can learn more about potential career paths and speak to people who are already working or studying in that field.
Even in school or in your own cities or towns, there are many ways for you to gain experience. Consider taking up a part-time job or a regular volunteering stint in a small NGO. If you’re even more ambitious, consider starting something up yourself! For example, if you are interested in performing arts, you could start running drama or music workshops for children or even your peers. This would give you significant leadership experience which is always a big plus on university and scholarship applications. Don’t be afraid to try things outside of school and never worry about these activities affecting your studies. In reality, involvement in extracurricular activities will help you improve your time management skills. There usually aren’t many opportunities in schools itself, depending on the school you attend, but I always found much more enriching experiences outside of school than in school.
Something I wish someone had told me when I was in school is that I shouldn’t be afraid to dream big. Besides being really young and from a small town, there was a lot more awaiting me after I left school. Don’t be afraid to grab opportunities, whether that is to apply for something you’re not sure you’ll get, submit articles to magazines or journals you’ll not sure will accept you or even apply for that part-time job you’re not sure you’ll have time for but are really excited about. Time management is key and if you are passionate and excited about something, go for it!
Deepa Gaurie Suriya Kumar, Student, University of Edinburgh