Should I fulfill my parents’ wishes over my own?
Nov 23, 2009
I am in S.5 studying physics, chemistry, mathematics and entrepreneurship (PCM/Ent.). My ambition is to become a quantitative economist. However, my parents want me to do engineering. Do I qualify for the quantitative economics course or should I do what
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I am in S.5 studying physics, chemistry, mathematics and entrepreneurship (PCM/Ent.). My ambition is to become a quantitative economist. However, my parents want me to do engineering. Do I qualify for the quantitative economics course or should I do what my parents want? Help me decide.
Mulumba
Dear Mulumba,
Both quantitative economics and engineering are good fields. However, before you pursue any of them, you ought to know what they entail.
The Bachelor of Science in quantitative economics is offered at Makerere University as a three-year day and evening programme. The course gives students economics concepts and develops theoretical knowledge as well as practical skills in quantitative economics (QE) fields.
It prepares students to use economic variables to collect and analyse economic data and apply them to explain social, economic and health dynamics. According to Leonard Atuhaire, the deputy director Makerere University Institute of Statistics and Applied Economics, QE graduates can work in banks, large-scale business organisations, ministries and in statistics agencies like the population secretariat and the statistics bureaus. Atuhaire says the course involves a lot of economics and one needs a strong background in secondary school economics as an entry requirement. Economics and mathematics are the essential subjects for the course. This should not discourage you because your subject combination can enable you gain admission for the course, once you pass the S.6 exams.
Engineering has several specialties. In Ugandan universities, courses for engineering include: Computer engineering which teaches about the design, development, manufacture and maintenance of computer components; and electronic and electrical engineering, which deals with electronics; mechanical engineering, which is concerned with the design, construction and operation of power plants, engines and machines; as well as civil, agricultural and industrial engineering. In other countries like in India, universities offer a variety of engineering courses ranging from aeronautical to aerospace.
If you follow your parents’ advice, you could choose from any engineering courses because your subject combination enables you to qualify to most of them.
However, Prof. Tom Otiti, a lecturer at the Makerere University science faculty, says electrical engineering would be the best since it provides students with broad skills that can enable them get employment not only in electricity but also in other fields like communications system.
However, choosing between your parents’ advice or following your interests is a big challenge. Parents sponsor your education and you still need more from them in order to succeed in your studies and future career. While both fields are worthwhile, pursuing a career that is rewarding for you as a person is important. You need to examine your interests, capabilities and future career goals.
The right time decide on the course to do will be next year after you have finished the final exams because then you will be in position to calculate whether your points meet the cut-off mark for the course.
Compiled by Francis Kagolo
education@newvision.co.ug
I am in S.5 studying physics, chemistry, mathematics and entrepreneurship (PCM/Ent.). My ambition is to become a quantitative economist. However, my parents want me to do engineering. Do I qualify for the quantitative economics course or should I do what my parents want? Help me decide.
Mulumba
Dear Mulumba,
Both quantitative economics and engineering are good fields. However, before you pursue any of them, you ought to know what they entail.
The Bachelor of Science in quantitative economics is offered at Makerere University as a three-year day and evening programme. The course gives students economics concepts and develops theoretical knowledge as well as practical skills in quantitative economics (QE) fields.
It prepares students to use economic variables to collect and analyse economic data and apply them to explain social, economic and health dynamics. According to Leonard Atuhaire, the deputy director Makerere University Institute of Statistics and Applied Economics, QE graduates can work in banks, large-scale business organisations, ministries and in statistics agencies like the population secretariat and the statistics bureaus. Atuhaire says the course involves a lot of economics and one needs a strong background in secondary school economics as an entry requirement. Economics and mathematics are the essential subjects for the course. This should not discourage you because your subject combination can enable you gain admission for the course, once you pass the S.6 exams.
Engineering has several specialties. In Ugandan universities, courses for engineering include: Computer engineering which teaches about the design, development, manufacture and maintenance of computer components; and electronic and electrical engineering, which deals with electronics; mechanical engineering, which is concerned with the design, construction and operation of power plants, engines and machines; as well as civil, agricultural and industrial engineering. In other countries like in India, universities offer a variety of engineering courses ranging from aeronautical to aerospace.
If you follow your parents’ advice, you could choose from any engineering courses because your subject combination enables you to qualify to most of them.
However, Prof. Tom Otiti, a lecturer at the Makerere University science faculty, says electrical engineering would be the best since it provides students with broad skills that can enable them get employment not only in electricity but also in other fields like communications system.
However, choosing between your parents’ advice or following your interests is a big challenge. Parents sponsor your education and you still need more from them in order to succeed in your studies and future career. While both fields are worthwhile, pursuing a career that is rewarding for you as a person is important. You need to examine your interests, capabilities and future career goals.
The right time decide on the course to do will be next year after you have finished the final exams because then you will be in position to calculate whether your points meet the cut-off mark for the course.
Compiled by Francis Kagolo
education@newvision.co.ug