{"id":9720,"date":"2024-07-23T11:03:11","date_gmt":"2024-07-22T23:03:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/explorecareers.co.nz\/?p=9720"},"modified":"2024-07-23T11:03:11","modified_gmt":"2024-07-22T23:03:11","slug":"choosing-between-university-and-the-workforce","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/explorecareers.co.nz\/choosing-between-university-and-the-workforce\/","title":{"rendered":"Choosing Between University and the Workforce"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading Time: <\/span> 4<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>

Can you believe that we\u2019re already seven months into 2024? It feels like just yesterday we were gearing up for another school year, yet it\u2019s already time to start thinking about what next year might hold (especially if you\u2019re in year thirteen)!\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When the time to <\/span>choose between university and the workforce<\/span> rolls around, it pays to be well-informed so you can choose the pathway that helps you reach your unique goals. To help you get on the right track, we\u2019ve put together a guide detailing the <\/span>pros and cons of choosing to attend university<\/span>, what other options you could pick, and how to know that you\u2019re making the right choice for you!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you want to end the year on a high note, it pays to get sorted early, and we can help you do just that. All <\/span>you<\/span><\/i> need to do is sit back and read on.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Is Going to University Worth It?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Unfortunately, there\u2019s no easy answer to this question. <\/span>Whether or not attending university is worth it<\/span> depends on whether a degree would help you achieve your unique goals and how well university fits into your career plan.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In short, the best way to determine <\/span>whether going to university is worth<\/span> it is to form an in-depth and comprehensive <\/span>career plan<\/span><\/a>. Once you\u2019ve done so, you\u2019ll know the best way to reach your goals (and if that includes attending university). After all, there\u2019s no point in accruing a tonne of Studylink debt if your dream job doesn\u2019t require a bachelor\u2019s!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Top 10 <\/span>Advantages and Disadvantages of Going to University<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

When deciding whether to attend university, it\u2019s always a good idea to weigh up the pros and cons before locking anything in. To get you started, we\u2019ve listed our top ten advantages and disadvantages so you can make an informed decision.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Good<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Graduates are Less Likely to be Unemployed<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

According to <\/span>Universities Australia<\/span><\/a>, \u201c<\/span>University graduates were less likely to be unemployed<\/span> than non-graduates during economic downturn.\u201d With the New Zealand job market being what it is, this isn\u2019t a small detail!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Generally, <\/span><\/b>Graduates Make More Money<\/span><\/b> in the Long Run<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While this isn\u2019t the case for everyone, <\/span>graduates generally make more money<\/span><\/a> than individuals without degrees. However, take this with a grain of salt, as there are many exceptions to the rule!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Going to University Will Ease You into Being Independent<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Instead of jumping into the workforce with a full-time job, taking on a degree will make the transition from high school to the real world a lot easier! This is particularly true if you\u2019re choosing to live in the dorms (it\u2019s a much smoother transition than moving straight into a flat).\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You\u2019ll Meet Lots of New People<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you <\/span>choose to pursue a degree<\/span>, you\u2019ll be rubbing shoulders with a tonne of other students that have the same interests as you! Lots of long-lasting friendships are forged at university; it\u2019s a great opportunity to meet super interesting people.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Study Subjects that You Actually Find Interesting<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Unlike high school, universities don\u2019t force you to study subjects you don\u2019t find interesting (unless they\u2019re directly related to your major). Thus, you have total control over your courseload and can pick subjects that genuinely excite you!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Bad<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Even a Bachelor’s Degree Can Put You in Debt<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

HECS debt is no joke and can add up quickly! Even shorter degrees can put you thousands of dollars into debt, so make sure you\u2019re sure a degree is what you want to do.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Most Degrees Won\u2019t Guarantee a Job<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While graduates are less likely to be employed, this doesn\u2019t mean that you\u2019re guaranteed a job after graduation. In fact, <\/span>sources state<\/span><\/a> that one-third of graduates don\u2019t find a job until four months after graduation!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It Can Be Difficult to Make Money<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When you\u2019re hitting the books every night, it can be hard to find time for any kind of employment, even part time! This means that you might not be making a tonne of extra cash (and may have to slow down on the socialising).\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s Hard Work<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Degrees can be a lot of fun, but they also require a <\/span>lot <\/span><\/i>of hard work. If you aren\u2019t ready to have multiple large assignments with similar due dates heading right at you, you might not quite be ready for university.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Degrees are Big Commitments<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When you take into consideration your class schedule, assigned readings, assessments, and extra study sessions, it\u2019s no surprise that university work takes up such a large chunk of your time. Make sure you\u2019re ready to commit to your studies before securing your spot.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Is University Better Than Other Career Pathways?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

While I\u2019d love to give you an easy answer, this question is also totally subjective; for some people, the answer would be a resounding yes, and for others, it would be a strong no. It all depends on where you want your degree to take you and what you need to get ahead in your industry!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What\u2019s The Difference Between University and Other Pathways<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

University is where recent (and not-so-recent) <\/span>high school graduates go to expand their learning and lock down a degree. Their experiences often revolve around class work, research, assessments, and many more activities designed to further their knowledge. It\u2019s unpaid, but at the end, degrees have the potential to make you more hireable in certain industries.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While attending university is one of the most popular post-school pathways, you also have apprenticeships, internships, work experience, and the option to go straight into the workforce. To discover what these involve, head to our article, \u2018<\/span>Careers You Can Start Today<\/span><\/a>\u2019.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Should I Go to University or Get a Job?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

We know you\u2019d love a straight answer but, unfortunately, we\u2019re not going to give you one; deciding whether or not to pursue a degree is your decision and your decision alone! However, now that you\u2019re armed with all of our university insights, we\u2019re sure you\u2019ll make the right choice.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re still feeling a little unsure, check out our <\/span>career quiz<\/span><\/a> or <\/span>career advice<\/span><\/a> page; they\u2019ll have you feeling sure about your future and confident making the big decisions!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Reading Time: <\/span> 4<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span> Can you believe that we\u2019re already seven months into 2024? It feels like just yesterday we were gearing up for […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":58,"featured_media":9721,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[33],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/explorecareers.co.nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9720"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/explorecareers.co.nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/explorecareers.co.nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/explorecareers.co.nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/58"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/explorecareers.co.nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9720"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/explorecareers.co.nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9720\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9722,"href":"https:\/\/explorecareers.co.nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9720\/revisions\/9722"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/explorecareers.co.nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9721"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/explorecareers.co.nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9720"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/explorecareers.co.nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9720"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/explorecareers.co.nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9720"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}