Career Choice FAQs
You want to make good choices when you enter tertiary study.
What do you need to know?
Listed below are links to some Frequently Asked Questions...
I don’t know what to study!
Uncertainty and anxiety about career decisions is very common for young people Just remember your first career decision does not lock you into one career for the rest of your life. People make career changes throughout their lives and your first step along the path is simply one that will open up many other opportunities.
Some school leavers feel they want to continue study at tertiary level even if they are not sure what they want to do. In that case, it can be useful to start with an interest area and explore career possibilities from there. Courses that develop good practical skills are another option.
Visiting the Career Department is a good first step for people confused about what to do. The school career advisers can guide you through the actual process of career decision making. They will also encourage research using the internet, newspapers, books, networks and informational interviewing.
I know what I want to do. How do I find the best course?
All tertiary institutions say they’re the best, so research is vital. Talk to students and graduates about whether the course lives up to expectations. Ask to see graduate placement statistics.
You can read about the skills and knowledge required in a job through the ‘job’ section on Career Services website and compare against course information.
You could also approach a couple of businesses or organisations you’d like to work for and enquire whether they prefer graduates from one course over another.
Often you’ll find employers happy with all courses, but sometimes they’ll have definite preferences about specific content or industry experience.
What tertiary environment will suit me?
A lot of people don’t initially think about this, but it can make a big difference to your success at studying. Do you prefer lots of group work or to study on your own? Do you prefer small classes or large anonymous lecture theatres? Universities emphasise independent thinking and research and usually offer the highest level of tertiary qualifications.
Polytechnics or institutes of technology tend to have a more practical focus with more bridging and pre degree qualifications. This means good staircasing options.
Private providers tend to specialise – hospitality, travel and tourism, hairdressing – and are usually small and practical and owned by an individual or group, not the state.
There are also three state funded wānanga offering study with an emphasis on Māori tikanga (culture) and te reo Māori.
Take advantage of options such as Student for a Day at Unitec, where you can book (through the Career Department) to spend a day on campus. Or ask about AUT and MIT Experience Days. Go to Open Days and information evenings to get a feel for the courses and environment.
Shouldn’t I simply choose the best known university?
The reputation of a course is more important than the name of an institution. Would you employ a graduate because their qualification is from a well known university or because they’ve got the right skills and knowledge?
International students or immigrants, who intend to eventually work back home, often worry that some New Zealand universities aren’t as well known overseas as others. But if you intend to gain work experience in New Zealand after graduating, the calibre of your work history will usually hold more weight than your qualification.
How can I tell whether a private provider is okay?
Check the provider is registered and accredited with the New Zealand Qualification Authority (NZQA) and the course is NZQA approved. This information should be written on the provider’s published material. Check everything because a provider can be registered and approved yet have some courses that aren’t approved.
NB: University courses don’t come under NZQA. There are also some international qualifications that are internationally approved so don’t need NZQA approval, such as City & Guilds.
How do I persuade my parents to let me study what I want?
Some parents have very high expectations of their children. Yet pressuring children to enter study that doesn’t fit with their aptitude and interests can result in years of dissatisfaction and failure. If you are struggling with a subject at school, you’ll likely to struggle to make the entry requirements anyway. A compromise is often the answer; one that satisfies parents and student. A neutral person, such as a career counselor, can help in these discussions. To make a case for a different career, you need to become informed and research the career you want to follow and collect evidence to show your parents that it will provide good outcomes. The New Zealand Vice Chancellors Committee puts out annual statistics on the destinations and salaries of graduates that would be useful. The Department of Labour’s website also has up to date information about skill shortages in New Zealand which may help your decision making.
What if I don’t meet the entry requirements for the course I wish to do?
Usually there are options to staircase or bridge into higher or more specific levels of study. This can be done through summer school papers, evening classes, distance learning or full time foundation courses. It is important, though, to check the bridging course is accepted as an appropriate prerequisite for the course you want to enter.
People sometimes enter diploma level study and, after proving their academic ability in the first two semesters, move into degree study taking some credits from their diploma study with them.
I need a break. Will I be disadvantaged if I don’t go straight to tertiary study from school?
A lot of young people take a gap year – or more - before further study. Some are simply tired of studying; others don’t know what to do. Many young people don’t want to pay for a course until they find something that really interests them, so they prefer to earn and save in the mean time.
Try testing out some of your ideas with entry level work in industries you’re interested in and actively developing skills you identify as important for the future, such as a full driver’s license and customer service skills. You could also do some part time tertiary study, such as a paper at tertiary level in an area of interest, or a short course in computer skills.
How to Choose a Career
Career Services has heaps of ideas and information about choosing subjects, making career choices, finding courses and trade options from a national perspective. There is also excellent information on the labour market and the benefits of work experience. Check it out…
Also check out the Where To sheets to get an idea of the range of careers connected to your favourite subjects.
Useful Subjects and Related Careers
This table (download available below) indicates the subjects recommended for a number of the degrees offered by New Zealand universities and polytechnics. We are not saying these subjects are compulsory because the entry requirements can vary from university to university. For more specific details, please check the provider’s prospectus or ask for more information at the Career Department.
Useful Websites
Tertiary Institutions
Specialist Providers
NZ Services
Useful General Career Sites
Neutral government-funded website containing excellent information on New Zealand jobs, industries and training.
Student loans and allowances information, including applications and calculators to help you work out your entitlements.
Information on occupations, industry, employment, jobs, regions, business, and the world of work.
For young people wanting information on hospitality careers
For people interested in learning about a wide range of health careers in NZ
Useful site for 15 - 19 year olds (includes Ministry of Social Development, Department of Labour, Ministry of Education, Tertiary Education Commission, Ministry of Youth Development and Career Services)
Overseas Universities and Tertiary Institutions
The Careers Department staff are happy to help with any enquiries.