Career orientation for students after high school graduation

From April 21 to April 28, 12th graders nationwide registered to take the 2025 high school graduation exam on the system of the Ministry of Education and Training . According to preliminary statistics from high schools in the province, the number of students choosing to take the optional subjects of social subjects (History, Geography, Economics and Law) is much higher than the number of students choosing the natural combination (Physics, Chemistry, Biology). Among the social subjects, History and Economics and Law are the most chosen. One of the main reasons is that this year's exam has an important change, the Geography subject is not allowed to bring Atlas into the exam room. Meanwhile, according to the new program, the amount of knowledge of Geography has increased significantly, requiring skills to analyze maps, data... making many students worried.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy, Vice Principal of Binh Luc A High School, said: In the 2025 high school graduation exam, Math and Literature are still two compulsory subjects. Among the elective subjects, History, English, and Physics are the most popular elective subjects chosen by students. However, at Binh Luc A High School, the number of students choosing Physics is still higher than History, because this is one of the few schools with more natural science classes than social science classes. This differentiation shows that choosing exam combinations is no longer simply a matter of "easy or difficult" but reflects students' career choices and university entrance exam strategies.

Khuong Thi Yen Nhi, a student at Phu Ly B High School, shared: I registered for the entrance exam to the University of Education, so I chose the social group and have focused on studying these subjects since the beginning of grade 10. I think that although the teaching profession is hard, it is meaningful and suitable for me... Many students at Bien Hoa High School for the Gifted want to pursue majors that are considered the "backbone" of the era such as: Information Technology, Diplomacy , International Economics, Polytechnics... These choices partly show the awareness and awareness of integrating with the development trends of the country and the world.

Bui Khanh Ngoc, a student of class 12A7, A Phu Ly High School, used to love journalism, but recently hesitating due to fluctuations in the industry, decided to choose banking. Bui Khanh Ngoc shared: I really like writing, I used to think that studying journalism was my dream. But recently I saw information about streamlining the payroll, many press agencies merging, streamlining... so I was afraid that after graduating I wouldn't be able to find a job. As for Nguyen Ngoc Anh, a student of A Phu Ly High School, she decided to study Marketing at the National Economics University. Previously, Ngoc Anh liked to study Chinese, but because of the current trend of technology development, she thinks that if she wants to learn a language, it is not difficult, it is not necessary to go to a university to study, but to study on her own according to her own conditions and needs.

Grade 12 students of Phu Ly A High School exchange and share information about choosing a career after graduation.

This reality shows that not only personal capacity, but also factors such as recruitment trends, changes in the labor market, and national policies are strongly influencing students' choices. Unlike previous generations, today's students no longer just listen to inspiration or follow trends, but also consider their "career opportunities" after university.

Every year, although high schools in the province have coordinated to organize many career counseling and orientation sessions for senior students, there are still students who lack information and choose majors based on their feelings or just because of "friends taking the exam". A teacher at Bien Hoa High School for the Gifted said: There are students who want to pursue diplomacy but do not understand the actual work. Some students dream of working in technology but do not know which school to choose. That is the result of a lack of early orientation. In addition, a few students have tried very hard to pursue their passion, but lack understanding of job prospects. Others completely leave it to their parents to decide. There are also cases where students choose majors just because "it sounds fancy", or simply choose majors that do not require studying Math. These choices can easily disappoint students when the majors do not match their strengths.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Van, Vice Principal of A Phu Ly High School, said: In the process of considering and choosing a major or career for students, the companionship of parents and teachers is extremely important. But companionship does not mean imposition. The role of the family is to help children identify their own abilities, understand their strengths and areas for improvement, and provide more objective information about careers. On the school side, career guidance needs to be further promoted, in the direction of individualization. Accordingly, instead of organizing general counseling sessions, there should be in-depth counseling programs by industry group, even by specific wishes. In addition, it is necessary to create conditions for students to have early exposure to career practices, visit businesses, meet alumni, predecessors, etc.

However, for the students studying the 2018 General Education Program, they have had orientation and career choices early. Because right after the entrance exam to grade 10, students and parents have agreed on choosing classes (social and natural) at school. Choosing classes and subjects from the beginning gives students a sense of awareness and career goals after graduating from high school. Teacher Nguyen Thi Van, Vice Principal of A Phu Ly High School affirmed: Choosing a career today is to live well tomorrow - that saying has never been more true than now. Because, in a society that is constantly moving, a career is not only a means of making a living but also a way for each person to contribute more to the country and the community. The fact that students carefully consider when choosing a career that suits their abilities, conditions and social needs is a positive sign.

Chu Uyen

Source: https://baohanam.com.vn/xa-hoi/giao-duc/dinh-huong-nghe-cho-hoc-sinh-sau-tot-nghiep-thpt-160615.html