They say – choose a job you like and you will never have to work. Many people really base their choice of profession on their own interests – as indicated in the study Factors influencing the choice of occupation, in Latvia approximately 68% of young people really base their choice of future profession on their own interests, but approximately 30% rely on family recommendations. Whichever option you choose, one thing is clear – choosing a university and study program is an important step that affects not only your professional career, but also your overall quality of life.

In order to make a conscious and justified choice, it is important to take into account several important aspects – your interests, prospects in the labor market, the quality of the study program and the opportunities for practical experience. Below, more about what to pay attention to when choosing a study program.

Profession compatibility with personality – how to test it

Psychological and career counseling research confirm that a successful career choice that is consistent with a person’s interests and personal skills has a direct connection with greater job satisfaction and higher motivation. This means that one of the most important criteria for choosing a study direction is to be aware of your interests and skills. If, by the time the young person begins their studies, they are not yet aware of this, there are universities where this can be done during the study process. Anželika Marija Zuba, career consultant at Turība University, continues: “At Turība University, students have access to a career center – it is an information center with the opportunity to improve their skills, with the opportunity to receive personalized advice on their career development and skills development. Such support helps to accurately identify strengths and weaknesses, in this way the career center also promotes self-education and self-assessment, providing students with access to resources that help them understand the requirements of the labor market, assess their growth potential and determine career goals”. This means that even if in their current life the future profession has been tried on only in their thoughts or on Shadow Day, during their studies it would be necessary to make sure how well it matches their real interests and skills, and there are universities that provide such an opportunity.

Is demand in the labor market decisive

According to the data of the Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia, in recent years the demand for qualified IT specialists, security, engineering, healthcare, financial management and business specialists has been increasing in the labor market (Central Statistical Bureau, 2023), but this does not necessarily mean that there is no demand for employees in other fields. Of course, in order to successfully integrate into the labor market, it is important to choose a study program that prepares specialists in demanded sectors and provides competitive advantages, but good specialists are in demand in all fields. Every year, the research center SKDS conducts a survey of entrepreneurs to find out which university graduates are most valued by employers, especially in the field of business education. From the survey results, it can be concluded which universities best prepare students for the real labor market. Zane Driņķe, the rector of the leader of this top among private universities -Turība Univeristy, continues: “We are pleased that Turība Univeristy continues to be in the top three of the most recognized universities by employers. Our motto “Business thinking in every program” certainly reflects our values, and they are also reflected in the employers’ evaluation. The evaluation is based on close cooperation with employers, which is not an end in itself for Turība, but the result of long-term work to enable our graduates to feel as safe and confident as possible in the labor market”.

Quality of study programs and internship opportunities

The quality of study programs and the study process is a criterion that changes with time. If once a student was ready to sit in the classroom and take notes of what the lecturer said, so that after graduating from university he would devote a considerable amount of time to adapting to working life, today the situation is completely different. “Student demand in the labor market directly indicates the relevance and quality of study programs,” says career counselor A. Zuba. When asked about what attracts the interest of entrepreneurs in Turība students, she continues: “Internship – this is one of the most important tasks during studies. Not only to master the theory, but also to practically verify the process of the theory in practice”. Research indicates that practical experience during studies is one of the main factors that promote the competitiveness of graduates in the labor market, continues Z. Driņķe: “Internship must be present in the study process, it is a mandatory condition. At Turība University, this is provided on several levels, both by giving students the opportunity to practice in real life, for example, by participating in court proceedings and creating marketing campaigns, and by creating their own companies in a business incubator. In this way, students undergo adaptation to working life already during their studies”. As Z. Driņķe points out, one of the main success factors in this case is that the university’s teaching staff includes professionals in the relevant fields: “We are the only university in Latvia where the deans of faculties are themselves experts in their respective fields, this is a huge benefit for students and that is why entrepreneurs also study with us”.

Does the university speak

In summary – when choosing the most suitable study program, of course, personal interests, quality of education, opportunities for practical experience and, if desired, the potential to contribute to society must be taken into account. Based on research and Latvian statistical data, it is clear that a choice based on both personal preferences and an objective assessment of the situation is the main prerequisite for a successful career and personal growth. Before making a final decision, approach the intended university – visit the social media profiles of this educational institution, attend open days, find out about internships, dormitories, self-government opportunities and other important information that will affect everyday life during the study process – this is also one of the important criteria by which to understand how open and inclusive the study environment will be.

References:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/326495072_Comparative_analysis_of_career_choices_by_students_in_Latvia_and_the_UK

The Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia. (2023). Data of labor market. Available: https://stat.gov.lv

SKDS. (2023). Latvian university ranking. Available: https://www.turiba.lv

The Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia. (2024). Business data. Available: https://stat.gov.lv

Turība University. (2023). Study program. Available: https://www.turiba.lv