I am in a dilemma about what Career path to pursue

Apr 01, 2007

IT seems clear that you had set yourself a clear career path. However, failure to get government sponsorship seems to have brought your dreams tumbling down.

Dear Jamesa,

I sat for my A-level in 2004 and passed with 19 points in History, Economics, Geography/ Divinity (HEG/D). I failed to get government sponsorship and could not finance myself at the university. I am working in an IT company and have enrolled for a computer mechanic course at Makerere University. I had previously wanted to do Law or Education. I want to enroll for a degree in Electrical Engineering. However, my subjects at A’ level cannot qualify me to pursue this degree. Should I first enroll for a diploma? How about sitting for a mature age entry exam? Please advise.
R.K

Dear R.K,

IT seems clear that you had set yourself a clear career path. However, failure to get government sponsorship seems to have brought your dreams tumbling down.

The failure to get government sponsorship does not relegate you to the pit of ‘failures’. Many students have succeeded, in spite of financial challenges.

You too can make it. Working with an IT company is commendable and you could use it to beat the odds.

Your shift of interests from arts to sciences is quite intriguing. Was your ambition to study Education or Law well-thought out?

Maybe your current job with machines has triggered your interest in engineering. But is this where your interests lie?

It is one thing to have a career and another to have a fulfilling career.

The latter is like finding your rightful position in the world. The guiding question only you can answer is ‘who am I and what do I want out of life?’

Let us look at your chances of university admission.

Institution:

Makerere University, Faculty of Technology, Department of Electrical Engineering offers a four-year Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering degree programme. There are two main admission avenues you could use:

1. Diploma Holders Entry Scheme is available to holders of the Uganda National Examinations Board Ordinary Diploma in Electrical Engineering or its equivalent.

Applicants should have obtained a credit class diploma with at least a credit pass in Mathematics. It should be clear that not every diploma will qualify you. The diploma has to be relevant (engineering-related in this case).

2. Mature Age Entry Scheme:

You should be aged 25 and above.

You should have been out school for five or more years.

You have to pass two special mature age entry examinations in aptitude and specialised knowledge.

Aptitude tests your level of intelligence and general knowledge, while specialised knowledge exams test your knowledge on the field you are applying for.

You have not mentioned your age but it is only two years since you last sat for your A’ level.

You may not therefore qualify to sit for the mature age entry examination this year. As you plan to join university, you need to remember that career is not chosen through trial and error.

Do not settle for a career you can just tolerate, to earn a living. Does your passion lie in working with people (Law and Education) or in working with machines?

Charting out a career path enables you to set your destination in life. Keep in mind that if you do not know where you are going, then every road will take you there!

A face-to-face talk with a professional counsellor would help you clarify and set your destination.

Send your Career questions to Education Vision
P.O. BOX 9815, Kampala
OR jwagwau@newvision.co.ug

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