​Some people know exactly what they want to be when they grow up. They could see their future-self clearly, narrating through the career pathway to their dream job. While some others need a little nudge and guidance. Maybe you want to go to medical school but don’t necessarily want to be a doctor. Maybe you love drawing but aren’t sure how to incorporate that passion into a career. Or maybe you just haven’t found anything that sounds interesting yet.

It is good if you know what you want to be, but it is even better to know if your chosen career is THE career you should pursue. With the ever changing economy, social trends, and technologies, you should be looking for a career pathway that is not only thriving at the moment, but is expected to grow throughout the next decade, such as the following careers:
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1. Registered nurse
Did you know that nurses are more in demand than ever? As the population continues to age, the demand for nurses is expected to rise to 23% in the coming years. If being compassionate and extremely patient are your two greatest strengths, you should definitely consider becoming a nurse. 

Long story short? Yes.
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The coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has disrupted lives, rocked businesses, shocked economies all over the globe, and casted doubts on students’ dreams to study abroad. Although the outlook does not look optimistic right now, remember, this too shall pass and life will always find its way to go on. You just have to focus on your goals and not give up until you reach it. If you have planned to further your education this year and finance is not an issue, just stick with it! Application process takes time and since most of it is online, you might as well get it started from the comfort of your home.

​So you have decided on the program and university of interest. The next big decision to make is whether you should live on or off campus. Living on or off campus can change your university life drastically. How do you decide which one is best for you? The choice depends on the individual factors. Remember, there is no right or wrong answer here.

1. Convenience and Cost
How long are you willing to commute to campus? Within short walking distance or ? Generally, on-campus accommodation is within walking distance or there will be free shuttle buses to get you around. Living on campus allow you to sleep in and for classes. However, if you were to live off campus , you will have to figure out a way to campus, finding parking spots, longer commutes and traffic jams. Most international students do not own a car and have to rely on public transportation which can be a hassle.

As you get nearer to the end of high school, you’re likely bombarded with all kinds of questions and ideas about what you should do next. Your parents may have suggested for you to choose a path that leads to high paying career at the end. Your friends might tell you to take up something that they think is more interesting or cool. But the truth is, most people don’t even know what they want for the good part of their life (honestly, who does?). Don’t worry, you’re not alone in this.
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The pathway to continue their education may be clear cut to some who have already set their eyes for a particular program or course to enroll into. If you have met the entry criteria, go forth and join an undergraduate program.

Plan A: Undergraduate program - Bachelor’s degree
A bachelor’s degree is also known as a ‘first’ degree or ‘ordinary’ degree. This generally leads to a qualification known as a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BSc). A bachelor’s degree usually takes three or four years to complete full-time, with some degrees like medicine taking at least five years. A four-year degree is usually called an honours degree.

Hurray you’ve decided to study abroad (or at least have thought about it since you’re reading this post)! Next question is, where to? If you’ve not decided on the location, take some time and go through these 5 steps.
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Step 1: Make a list
Let’s start off with a fun activity. List down the countries or cities that you’d love to live in. Give this some thought – it could be the distance from home, culture, cost of living, if you are a travel bug can you travel to nearby countries with minimum costs, and so forth. Remember, the best place for other students might not be right for you. Make your list based on your desire rather than your friend’s.

While you are on a quest to find the perfect university for your undergraduate degree, you will most likely spend countless hours browsing through universities’ websites and prospectuses trying to figure out which university to choose from. There are many courses out there, and they look similar from one to another, so how do you determine which one to choose from?
 
There are a lot of other factors to consider besides its ranking. It is also important to note that your university experience should not just limited to academia. Your most memorable university moments might not even happen in lecture halls, so you should have a good balance between your studies and lifestyles. Here are 6 tips to help you consider!
 
1. Have you chosen the right subject?
First and foremost, you need to be 110% sure about the program you have chosen. You will spend the next few years studying it and the following 20-40 years working in this area. There are different variations of that subject which translates into different programs. For example, you are interested in business. Alright, which branch of it? Is it Accounting and Finance, Business Administration, Business Management, or Human Resource Management? They are similar with a lot of overlapping areas, and yet unique in their own way. 

Many of you want to study abroad and wish to study in one of the best universities in the world. However, not all of you are aware of how competitive the entry requirements are and the oppressive pressure to maintain one’s academic performance during your studies. Another factor to consider is also the tuition fees. Well, top universities are not famous for being easy or economical. Luckily, there are other alternatives out there for you without jeopardizing on the quality of education delivered.

1. Branch Campus University
​Did you know, you can study and graduate from universities in the UK and Australia for a fraction of the cost? Yes, that is possible. Malaysia is home to several branch campuses but the best known ones are University of Nottingham from the UK and Monash University from Australia. Tuition fees of the same program at Monash University in Malaysia and University of Nottingham Malaysia are about 60% lower compared to if you were to study in Australia or UK.

​Well, what do you look for when it comes to choosing your study destination?

• Internationally recognized degrees
• Affordability and ease of entry
• Exposure to industrial practice
• Potential to travel
• Adaptability to local culture

If you ticked at least 4 of the statements above, Malaysia should definitely be in your radar.

​Internationally recognized degrees
Malaysia is home to several branch campuses of universities from other countries such as UK’s University of Nottingham and Australia’s Monash University. This means you will be able to take the same program as in the main campus in UK or Australia for a fraction of the cost!

Various Malaysian institutions also offer programs from foreign universities terming it as 3+0 program – 3 years of studies in Malaysia and you will receive a UK or Australian degree. If you wish to transfer over for the 2nd or last year, you can do so as well.
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In fact, Malaysian education itself is so established that hundreds of universities worldwide accept students from Malaysia. You could do a pre-university, a diploma or even a bachelor’s degree in Malaysia and go on to complete your degree or masters in Australia, China, Canada, Hong Kong, UK, USA and many more!