What Is Best Demanding Degree One Should Study Right Now?

Hello OZB's, I've got my cousin willing to come here from overseas. And So this question pops up, What is the best field/course/degree he should enroll in?
I've asked him what he want to become, but he don't have any particular Goals/Interest. He wants to become a footballer which he can do while doing his degree. Let's take football as his hobby and he don't mind getting into any profession as long as it's well paid and demanding. I was thinking about Mechanical Engineer or IT or petroleum. Any other advice? I've tried googling it shows up health care, accountants, plumbers, etc.

In case this matter he is 23 years old and have just finished his high schools. I hope it's not too late for him to get into those degrees.

Comments

      • +1

        super lig? :P

      • He can play A-league then.

    • +3

      Something like sports physiotherapy.

  • +2

    You should investigate the publication Australian Jobs 2015 which contains information about labour market and employment trends, both in terms of industry and occupation, and in terms of geographic region.

    https://employment.gov.au/news/australian-jobs-2015-handy-gu…

    You can also look at www.joboutlook.gov.au which will also give you data about employment trends AND you can also look for trends in salary data, as well as workforce composition, demand, skills shortages etc.

    Both should be required reading for any body who is looking to enter the workforce/plan a future career.

  • +5

    Don't worry about an education, listen to him. He will be a professional soccer player for sure. There aren't many people who want to do that, and its not like they want a young, fit guy who has made his ways up through academies. They much prefer guys who are midway through their potential playing career, who have not been picked up by academies, and have spend their time running businesses into the ground. He is a shoe in. If that fails, he could just be an astronaut, or a Fast and the Furious race car driver.

    • +1

      Great Motivation but its a risk. He must continue soccer while studying, but its quite hard to be a pro.
      And I didn't understand your meaning behing the fast & furious statement.

      • +2

        His being sarcastic, take no note of him.

      • -1

        No, no risk at all. Soccer clubs love winners who finish high school at 23 and have no professional history. I think Man United might sign him for around $50million, so he doesn't need an education.

      • Oh and because race car.

        • hahah ok I will take it as a joke.

  • +1

    aged care

    • Nahhhhhh…I current work in an aged care. Want myself to get out of here..

      • +1

        And since that is the attitude of SO MANY aged care workers, for an appropriately motivated and caring individual, couldn't there be potential opportunity in what is surely an expanding field?

        Appropriately motivated, he could work, obtain a Grade 2 nurse (/State Enrolled Nurse) or whatever it is called through TAFE, and the continue to upgrade to Grade 1 (/Registered Nurse), and then become an associate charge nurse and then charge nurse or nurse unit manager.

    • There is of course growing demand for anything targeted at oldies, but it would be such a depressing job working with people just waiting around to die.

      • Yes, Exactly.

        • +2

          Well, that wasn't the question you asked. With an ageing population of baby boomers, there will be a time when we will need a tonne of resources, and i reckon it will be a high demand job.

          There's a really good doco called "When Teenage Meets Old Age" about a bunch of teens visiting an old peoples home and helping out. It's pretty confronting but an eye opener of what to expect.

  • How about an Environmental Science?
    With present on going context,I think this subject looks demanding. I have a cousin doing this. Reckon its great.
    Does anyone have any idea about this degree?

    • I have no idea. Googling now and investigating, Please feel free to share any other details. More then welcome.

      • +1

        GIS (Geographic Information Science) is all about linking data with the environment, and is an exceptionally underrated field. My university is one of the best for it and we only have 4 people majoring in it, with 60 available jobs on seek.

    • +2

      no, it pays shit all and you're the first to go in any company that has an environmental team.

      • -2

        @Davo1111 Is there anything else you would suggest instead of aged care? My cousin is Male he surely won't enjoy a nursing career.

        • supply and logistics

        • +3

          what does being male have to do with enjoying a career in nursing

        • @edwinlin88: I work in an aged care. I work as a catering assistant, but I have lots of engagement with PCA/Nursing staff every day (when I work). All of them are mostly ladies my workplace don't prefer to hire male staff as a PCA/Nurse.

        • @Davo1111: Yea will keep it in my list.

  • +4

    Dentistry. It's a license to print money.

    • -7

      Imagine facing all the rotten teeth, tartar and bad breath every single damn day of your miserable life…i think they deserve that sort of money…

      Another one of those is a gastroenterologist…ass and shit everyday…respect!

      • @Katst3r Dentist gets a mask while handling a patient so bad breath is not an issue for them. I think dentist job is far better then those gastroe…

        Is it hard to finish the study of dentistry? How long is the course and how hard is to get jobs?

        • Get your friend to stare into different people's mouths, including old people who smoke for 10mins each. If your friend can handle it, then go ahead.

          Getting into dentistry is like getting into medicine. How smart is your friend?

        • @Ughhh: Check out the fees too. Medicine and dentistry courses cost more than the other courses especially for international students (about $50k per year). If he is smart enough to get into either one and can afford it, I say dentistry. More money for lesser work and at some unis one less year of study.

        • @lenlynn: Bang 50k/per year? that's way too high.

        • @TurkishDelight:

          That's about right:

          https://www.uq.edu.au/study/program.html?acad_prog=2257#inte…
          Fees for International students
          Indicative annual fee: AUD$ 53200

          http://www.australianuniversities.com.au/schools/dental/

          If cost is not an issue, Dentistry is by far easier than medicine, and you will certainly make more money.

        • @xuqi: So if my cousin enrolls for a 4 years course, I guess he will end up paying $200k+.
          Is dentistry that demanding career?

        • +2

          @TurkishDelight:

          There is always demand for dentistry.

          My father is a Prosthodontist (FRACDS), one of my sisters, and a cousin are dentists.

          You make less when you start out, but if on your own can within 2-3 years save up and open your own practice.

          My family members are all Australian citizens, so didn't pay 200K for their degrees, but imo still worth the inflated prices paid by foreign students.

          You do need to be smart, and practice discipline to ensure you finish your studies. The culture within the groups of dental students I interacted with, can be very distracting.

        • @xuqi: ah okies.

        • @TurkishDelight: a dentist friend is a couple of years out and he makes at least 3000 a day.

        • @pubby: 3000 a day?

        • @xuqi: Totally agree with this post. Once you set up your practice it's $$$ all the way.

          Your cousin has to pass an interview and a dexterity test to get in too.

        • +1

          @lenlynn: Only thing is that there is a glut of dentists that has started to graduate. Policies around how many students were admitted into dental courses changes about 5-6 years ago IIRC and this is changing the labour dynamics in the market.

          So wages and salaries will start declining for dentists and it'll become relatively harder for graduates to get a job because of the competition (which you're seeing already). You'll also see more graduate dentists working for fixed graduate salaries (rather than the "commission"/fee revenue model) for longer.

          Having said that, I still think it's an attractive career relative to others if you're smart enough to get in and have the capability. It's just that it's not as attractive as it used to be.

        • @xuqi: You don't mean make less compared to other careers do you? Dentistry pays really, really well for graduates. Median salary is $85k upon graduation.

          http://www.graduatecareers.com.au/Research/GradJobsDollars/B…

          Although you'll see in my post above that the later career prospects for dentistry are becoming less attractive than they used to be (still attractive though) and this will accelerate over coming years. Being a dentist in the last 10 - 20 years will have been much better than the next 10 - 20 years.

        • @pubby: Umm. That sounds like BS. A couple of years out and he makes ~$700k+ a year? He'd be lucky to generate that much in practice fees let alone his salary.

          Maybe you misheard him and he meant $3k a week? That would sound more plausible.

        • @hayne: That's a lot of money.

      • "Another one of those is a gastroenterologist..ass and shit everyday…respect!"

        Not sure if srs.

  • +8

    OP I think I am fit to give advice for this, I am currently studying structural engineering at the University of Sydney. I got in straight from HSC and haven't failed any of my subjects. I also have a credit average (very close to distinction).

    Despite that, I'm finding it VERY difficult to procure an internship (which is required to get the damn piece of paper saying I can graduate). I've done every thing you can think of such as cold calling companies, walked up to them in a suit, emailed at least 30 unique cover letters and CVs etc etc. It's gotten so bad that at this point universities have started 'slacking' on this requirement so that people are still able to graduate without getting this work experience. Nothing good comes of it however, the sheer oversupply of engineering graduates coupled with the very limited number of entry level roles means that those who don't have internships on their resumes are ultimately most likely to end up ditching their degree altogether because they can't find work.

    I know this because I have a friend working retail, who couldn't get his degree after finishing his whole course in mechanical engineering at UTS simply because he couldn't land an internship. I have another who did aeronautical engineering and got his internship at Qantas, however he got stuck in the water after his contract ended and now hes in the same classes as me getting another degree in civil engineer. I could go on, but point is, its bad.

    Some of the courses are very difficult and I can't imagine what the hunt for a job must be like if you fail even one subject. Once again, huge oversupply, don't let any BS optimistic article tell you otherwise. Some of my friends who DID get lucky and land a job are now working their butts off for pennies (no seriously, they are depressed), it sucks doing so much work and a maccers manager earns twice your salary.

    It's not all horror stories however, if he knows someone in the field who can get him in (nepotism) then by all means, do engineering. I have quite a few friends with mediocre marks and tons of fails who used this 'connection' as their stepping stone. This one is a long shot though since you most likely don't. It seems that grades only matter (along with work experience) for your first job and if you stick through it you can go up from there.

    Honestly I'd be surprised if there's any job besides labor in 'demand' at this point. It seems the best approach to any degree is to be proactive and start a business of your own.

    TL;DR Do engineering if you love it, not if you want money or you WILL fail and end up wasting 4 years (or more) and be 50k in debt.

    • Even if u love it, you still be in debt
      so it ends up with same result.

      Is it all engineering fields that have this issue?

      • +2

        I studied Civil / structural and graduated in 2012 - almost all of my group got employment secured before graduating, with some losing it after a reasonably short period of time as the workflow stopped coming in. Out of all my uni friends the field with the lowest employment rate was chemical / petrolium / oil & gas engineering.

        I would say civil engineers have it best off as it's quite broad, but a lot of the people I've been working with are having issues finding a new job after the last one finished.

        • hopefully mechanical is alright :X

        • How about other engineers

          -electrical
          -software
          -mechanical

          Any other engineer fields?

          ===
          Do u know what happened to those civil engineers, what do they do when there was no work?

          Are you still employed in your field?

        • +1

          @tyler.durden: I still have my original job. I have been extremely lucky with my experience varying between site work, design and project engineering. It's not all doom and gloom, and I know a fair few people who have similar stories. 2012 was just before things got really bad in WA though.

          Two have moved to NZ, one to Adelaide, a few gave up engineering (mainly enjoyment factor though)

          My girlfriend is actually an electrical engineer, and it's probably in a similar state to civil. From my year group the mech engineers had difficulty getting or keeping jobs as well. Can't speak to software engineering at all.

        • @Wyn-Ryder:

          Why electrical engineer in similar state to civil?

          From your post, doesn't sound good for engineers in general.

        • @tyler.durden: it's not right now, but it should get better. I can't tell you when though!

          Most electrical engineers from my year found jobs, a few have chopped and changed but it doesn't seem too bad. Can't speak to the more recent graduates though. So maybe slightly better than civil.

    • +1

      @sp3ctr41 Thank you such for accurate information. I agree with all the words you said, got few friends with similar stories.
      Like you said

      start a business of your own

      This also cost way too much and you are still a fresher. You will struggle real bad unless you get some luck.

  • How does someone gets hired an Air traffic controller or as a Nuclear energy worker?
    I somehow reached this article- http://www.businessinsider.com.au/the-10-best-paying-uk-jobs…

    • +7

      There's something wrong with your line of thinking.

      How many airports do you have here? How many nuclear power plants?

      Sydney has ONE airport… Sydney have ONE research reactor.

      How many jobs do you really think there are there? 25? 50? I doubt it.

      eg. you originally said that NURSING isnt a good job. A good male nurse can earn $75k if you take into account overtime and perhaps contracting and seniority.

      Hell, my mother retired as a nurse on $85k and you may think thats not a big deal… she owns property all over sydney and has super that will outlast her lifetime

      As a male nurse I doubt you will ever be without a job but I can understand why guys dont want to do it.

      • Ugh, I worked at somewhere that included air traffic control (It was more broad, military based and had more authority over more things). It was alright for me but I wouldn't persue a career in that industry. You need fair bit of knowledge on airspace. They have rules and regulations on altitude and everything. My place ran 24/7 so we had to go through shift work. Not to mention, the job is intense (in terms of responsiblity and pressure) because one major f!@# up will lead to something devastating.

        • what job do u do? or did…

        • +2

          @tyler.durden: Since I was a consciptee, my job was mainly to assist with and to record stuff. Since the stuff was fairly broad and secretive, I am simply going to say I had seen fair share of what's going on.

          I've learnt about many aircrafts and how to identify them (partially because I had to, partially because I heard things from people who've worked 20~30 years in the air force and partially because they had Jane's and other stuff and partially because it's really rather simple) and I pretty much know the name and codes for the airports that has flights to my country. Along with other things that I should not mention. It sounds cool, but it wasn't exactly a nice job.

        • +1

          @AznMitch: Thanks.

        • @AznMitch:

          so what do you do now?

        • @tyler.durden: Came back to finish my degree. It was done as a part of conscription.

      • @tonyjzx Wow that's not bad amount of money for a nursing carrer.

      • eg. you originally said that NURSING isnt a good job. A good male nurse can earn $75k if you take into account overtime and perhaps contracting and seniority.

        I don't get your point here. Are you saying someone should go to uni with the hopes of getting a job that pays $75-85k? That's not really much money. If you love nursing and caring for people then the money is not important but if you are trying to study to find a job that pays well then I would be aiming higher than $85k.

    • I'm seriously thinking we're just being trolled here people

      • What makes you say so?
        and also

        Who cares…

        It is still an interesting topic, that might be useful for some people.

        • @Spackbace:

          To tell you the truth

          I didn't really read his post.
          I don't really care if his story is true or not.

          The thing that was mainly interesting for me was the topic.

          I think the topic would have relevance for people considering doing a degree.

          And the question is

          What Is Best Demanding Degree One Should Study Right Now?
          ie. In demand, that can get a job…

          So I don't give a crap about his story, I just find the topic interesting…

          Also most answers are not referring to his story, it is just about the in demand degrees.

          ====

          And now that I read his post, if u are really reading it..

          Essentially he is saying the cousin wants to be a footballer player or is interested in it
          but he/or his cousin thinks it would be good to have a backup degree

        • @Spackbace:

          Like I said I don't give a shit about his story

          I think the topic is interesting for those who find some relevance to the question/topic

          Now enough with the trolling claims..cos I don't think most people who are replying cares…

        • @Spackbace:

          How about not saying it at all…

          Now go and be inspector clouseau somewhere else!
          cos nobody gives a shit.

        • +1

          @Spackbace:

          Whether u made posts that were helpful or not

          You still decide to make some accusations which most people don't give a shit about..

          Also the OP has not been known to make any trolling threads, so I would take the benefit of the doubt.

          Now unless you have actual proof

          In the future you should stop trying to be inspector clouseau

          Now go away!

          Goodbye inspector clouseau!

        • @tyler.durden: Just ignore him.

  • +1

    Statistics

    Hugely in demand and skills transferable to a wide number of jobs. People who can communicate well and get the point of what they're doing are un-outsourceable OS.

    • Thanks, Will keep in mind. I'll suggest him in my next phone call.

  • +2

    Does he have permanent resident status? That will affect the cost of study and his chances of getting a place in a course.

    • No we will have to apply student visa for him. I understand the international fees are complete rip offs.

  • +1

    learn a trade - always in demand and I would argue that he may have a better future than those with a degree. Im fortunate that I have a decent career from it but i know many with a degree who do not have a professional career whereas those i know who have learned a trade are almost at the point of having their own businesses or are already running their own businesses.

    • +2

      what are the most in demand trades or highest paying?

      • as tyler asked.

      • +2

        most trades would be apprenticeships? good luck getting an adult apprenticeship at 23.

        It really comes down to what you're willing to work towards.

        I do IT and I'm ok at it but really, its a means to an ends and its the only thing I have borderline interest in.

        I could do a nursing degree or an electrician thing but really… do I see pushing myself for 3 - 4yrs at that?

        I doubt it.

        You have to ask yourself what you are willing to learn. You may be a smart guy but unless you want to commit to the work and time, its pointless.

        • @tonujzx is that really that hard to get apprenticeship at 23?

      • Unsure about the demand but in my industry we use telco riggers and electricians with a telco focus - at the moment they are getting more in this line of work than in other streams of work.

        Another line of work for riggers is to eventually become a crane operator - from those I have spoken to, the least paid one was about 100k after tax. EWP/cherry picker operators arent too far from this. That said, its working from heights so its really high risk work.

        In regards to domestic work, ive been given quotes for air con installs (2 men, took 1.5 hours) for around $850. They had 5 jobs lined up that day so thats about $2000 a day each man just for labour, theres also a markup on additional materials if required like circuit breakers.

        So for the amount of work, depending how fast or how high risk it is can pay out quite well.

  • I'd like to say try Nanotechnology. Very few universities offer it worldwide but in certain markets there is a lot of demand, particularly in US and Germany. It is however a very demanding course at least for me and I find it interesting dealing with such small scale and I loved doing science at school. Although if I am honest I am really worried about job prospectus here. It is only viable in research rich environments. If he's interested in science and engineering he could check this out. It is a very broad course that gets you trained in everything.

    • i think some things matter

      You need
      -interest in the subject/field.
      -desire to learn it
      -some talent in this field or a similiar field
      -do you think you will be good in that job

      If there is none of those, then you would probably fail or be miserable in the course.

      Also you need to look at job prospects.
      Else you will just end up with a piece of paper, large debt and no job outcome.

      • You're absolutely right it is an extremely tough field but I want to stick it out for the time being cause I truly believe there is a big future in this and I do genuinely like and sometimes love the Chemistry and Biology side of this on the other hand hate the Engineering and Physics.

        The only drawback is the course is so new that there is hardly any flexibility in terms of pathways and subject choices that is one thing I regret.

        I do have a clear plan though. Mine is to finish this get out to US and try and get into a start-up for 2-3 years then go for an Exec MBA or an MBA the die hard will call me a sell out but my goal is to either manage a start up or build my own and this is a field that is ripe for expansion.

    • Thanks, trying to research more about this topic. Will add it in my suggestion list.

    • Finding a job in Australia is very difficult in the nanotech realm.

      I have two gifted friends who studied Bachelor of Science (Physics & Nanotech), and having graduated found it next to impossible to find work in Australia.

      One ended up setting up his own consulting business, whilst the other went back to unit and just last year completed a Bachelor of Law.

      Both were quite disappointed at their initial study choice. Of the ten people in their graduating group, four found work with US/UK tech firms, two managed to land post-grad jobs (had family working in field at uni's), whist the rest retrained or setup their own businesses not related to their training.

      • I wonder if I went to uni with any of them! I started at Curtin the same year nanotech started, I was doing a few physics and maths classes with them this was back in 04. Nanotech was meant to be the big up and comer back then!

      • @xuqi That's really disappointing poor lads paid lots of fees and spent 4 years or more getting a degree. They didn't bother trying their luck overseas?

        • +1

          Some did, others either couldn't due to family commitments, or followed other interests.

          Spare a thought for those studying theoretical/nuclear physics. By far the hardest to find a job for in Australia.

          I have other family friends who studied it, and found very few options after obtaining their Masters/PHD. Example below:

          Family of 5 (2 boys, 3 girls)

          • Oldest son (used to tutor me when I was at Uni in Adelaide early 90's) studied for years to obtain PHD in Physics (Quantum/particle/nuclear). Once he got the PHD, he found it impossible to find a job, unless he wanted to work in defence (DSTO), or go overseas. He was/is very anti-war, and after getting knocked back from various research posts (you need connections to get them), he ended up marrying a Japanese lady, moving to Brisbane, and opening a PC store.

          • His younger brother (more of a fun tutor) studied Astrophysics, and couldn't get a job in OZ. He ended up marrying a Swedish lady, and found a job in his field after moving to Sweden.

          The three sisters studied biological sciences, and all found either research jobs, or work with pharmaceutical companies, soon after graduation.

    • +1

      My mates described nanotech as chemistry with a few basic mechanical engineering subjects.

      Of my three mates who completed it (all with honors), one went into medicine, another into sales and the third is in causal hospitality.

      Two struggled after uni. None could find work related to their nanotech area of expertise.

  • automotive

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