GETTING INTO LOCAL UNIVERSITIES

uzTerence Mapuka
Going to university is still the most sought after option after high school. High school graduates would just by all means get to university no matter what degree course they take as long as they are in university. Although this approach seems futile I will explain later why to an extent it had some relevance while, on the other hand, it could be disastrous.

You only need to look at the current crop of university graduates who are roaming the streets with a ream of CVs and still not getting employed.

Although the problem might not be the degree course you took but the market to which you are graduating into, it still is a bother that you will not be employed while your colleagues are getting employed.

In this day and age it is not just a matter of undertaking a degree, but you need to research well before you pursue the degree course.

I would like to share with you a few pointers to look at while considering a local university.

What do you want to study?

Have you discovered what you want to be in life? Something that you are willing to spend the rest of your life doing? Answers to these questions will guide you into the degree course you should undertake.

For ease of illustration I am going to choose one course that will help you understand what I am talking about. I am going to use the example of Food Science, it is easy because I love my food (laugh out loud).

In choosing your Food Science, you also need to consider the market you are graduating into, what are the prospects of getting employment soon after graduation?

However, I believe if you are within your purpose and following your passion there will always be a way for you, remember where there is a will there is a way.

Most graduates easily get frustrated when opportunities do not open up soon but a little patience, more determination and lots of perseverance will get you there.

After all, our world has become a global village and if the local market cannot absorb you there are always options elsewhere and a chance to learn even more in that field that can help you when you come back to your home country.

Which university do you want to attend?

Now that you know what you want to do, there is an issue of which university is best suited for you and your choice of study.

There are up to 16 universities in Zimbabwe and nine of them are State universities. Not all are offering Food Science and it is easy to eliminate those ones. When you are left with five or six options it calls for other factors to consider. Food Science can be broad in the way you want to pursue it. Do you want to get into the industry and be a food scientist? Do you want to get into research and study more in this field to find solutions that would be helpful to food science? Do you want to follow the academic root and be a professor in food science or do you want to get into business as a food scientist? These options will help you determine which university to go to.

There are certain universities that have more of an entrepreneurial approach to their food science studies while others have a more research approach and this you can only learn if you do some extensive research on these universities.

Some of the big universities have stiffer entrance requirements especially the points you attained at A-Level so this will be a factor as well.

However, the other smaller universities can allow you with fewer points so you would need to consider that. Most of these universities now have a parallel entry platform which has different learning times and cost but allows you to pursue your dream with fewer points.

If for Food Science one university requires a minimum 12 points for the conventional programme, for the parallel it will go down significantly.

The cost element also becomes a factor when choosing universities.

You will appreciate that State universities are more affordable than private universities and competition is stiffer because of that.

However, when you undertake your research some of these private universities can have grants and scholarships that you can apply for. I will share more on scholarships in upcoming articles. The geographical location of a university plays a role for some students to some extent. Parents also will have a say based on location as they want access to their children so it is important to include every step of the way. You should be able to justify all your choices to your parents so that they do not dictate for you (a topic for another day!)

Many years ago when I left high school, universities had open days and one could attend these events to learn more about the universities. Today they hardly hold these open days but there are platforms that help students learn about universities. There are career fairs held by different organisations which are attended by these universities. zwTEENS holds the Teen Expo which has seen some of the universities attend and students get to learn more about them. In the world of technology the Internet can help you learn more about the universities by browsing their websites and any other reviews of other websites.

The other factors that determine which university you go to include the cost.

Undergraduate studies are a stepping stone

Going to university means a lot more than just getting a qualification. Earlier I mentioned that just going to university no matter the qualification has its advantages. The undergraduate degree is just a stepping stone and can help you realise exactly what you should do in life. There are many people who have the first degree in one field but have gone on to specialise in the other field. I was surprised to learn that Dr Simba Makoni, who is a well-known economist, has a Chemistry undergraduate degree.

The following are other factors why it is important to go to university:

Development of employability skills – With more than 60 percent of graduate jobs disregarding the subject of study, it is not just a degree that employers will look for. For many, the focus is on the essential employability skills that students acquire throughout their university life, such as self confidence, communication, commitment, initiative, teamwork and time management.

Pursuing your dream – University gives you more interest and information with regards the dream you have. It opens your mind to understanding more and gives you an enjoyable experience learning!

Improved career prospects – Obtaining a higher education qualification, such as a degree, will significantly improve your career prospects. A degree is a gateway to employment, it creates more options for you. Many organisations are now employing graduates for special trainee schemes.

Independence – With a greater emphasis on independent and self-directed study, you will be expected to do far more work than ever before, which is excellent preparation for the real world when you come to look for a job. Moving away from home will make you independent and tackle responsibilities like managing money which makes you more mature.

Training of your mind – Studying for a degree teaches you to be an independent thinker, improves your analysis skills, and challenges the way you think about many aspects of life.

You develop new skills – As well as training your mind you’ll develop many new, highly transferable skills, including how to work in a team, how to deliver an effective presentation, and how to communicate well with others.

It will boost your confidence – Going to university can be daunting, but it’s important to remember that everyone feels like that. During your time at university you’ll broaden your knowledge, have a great social life, and your self-confidence will soar.

So if you have been thinking about university and you have a chance at it, I hope this has been helpful in making that decision. I would like to live you with a quote from a poem by Max Erhmann called “Desiderata”.

“Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.”

Whatever you are passionate for do not give it up just because it is not paying now. The world is ever changing; tomorrow that passion will bring you fortunes!

  • Terence Mapuka is with zwTEENS, an organisation which helps teens with career choices. You can reach him on [email protected]

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