Any subject combination can lead to Law

Jan 07, 2007

CAREER GUIDANCE<br><br>Dear Jamesa,<br>I am a senior six student taking a pure science combination. When I was in O’ Level, I performed well in both art and science subjects. It was, therefore, a challenge for me to choose a subject combination at A’ level. This is because most schools base s

CAREER GUIDANCE

Dear Jamesa,
I am a senior six student taking a pure science combination. When I was in O’ Level, I performed well in both art and science subjects. It was, therefore, a challenge for me to choose a subject combination at A’ level. This is because most schools base subject choice on the student’s performance. Since I was at crossroads, my dad forced me to take a science combination claiming that science subjects are more marketable. I had a strong desire to study Law and I now feel disappointed with the science combination. Is there any way I can change subjects in senior six so as to take arts to enable me study Law?
Ronnie

Dear Ronnie,

Although most schools base subject combination on performance, there is more to it than just grades scored in various subjects.

There are many students who excel in certain subjects because they have worked hard at them and not because they would love to study them at A’ level. There is a case of a student who scored an A in Fine Art at A’ level and was admitted for a degree programme in Fine Art, but he turned down the offer and did a degree in Economics. Although he excelled in Fine Arts, he felt he would not take it as a profession. This means that you have to take career dreams into consideration when you are choosing your A’ level subjects.

Although subject combination is a principal factor in determining your chances of getting a place in most degree programmes, there are a number of programmes which are quite flexible in subject requirements.

Did you know that you can pursue a degree in Law with either an arts or science combination? As such, you do not need to change your subject combination. Instead, you need to work hard and score high grades in your four principal subjects. The only challenge is that the cut-off point for Law is much higher than that of science programmes, which makes it tough for you to compete with those with arts combinations. In the past three years, the cut-off points for Law have been ranging from 50.6 – 52.6 and this keeps changing every year based on the general performance at national exams.

Attempting to change a subject combination at senior six might backfire because one year is too short to master an A’ level subject.

Effective career choice goes beyond the subjects. It is a decision you have to make based on your talents, abilities and interests. Are you convinced that Law is the best career for you? One way of finding out if your career choice is appropriate is by asking yourself the following questions:

l Is there anything else that makes me love this career apart from financial gain? Would I work happily in this career even without being paid?

l Do I clearly understand the nature of work involved in this profession? How about the risks involved or some sacrifices I have to make?

l Have I made an independent decision or have I merely chosen this career to please my parents?

There are certain details of a profession that you would not understand unless you see people at work. A talk with a lawyer would enable you to understand what the legal profession entails. This decision is quite challenging and you need to have a face- to- face talk with a professional counsellor or a career expert to help you. Wish you the best.

Send your questions to:
Career Guidance
Education Vision
P.O Box 9815 Kampala
or jwagwau@newvision.co.ug
0772-631032

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