Dr. Pham Tan Ha advises students on choosing majors during the 2024 college admissions and career guidance program - Photo: TRAN HUYNH
According to experts, students need to know what areas they are talented in order to choose a suitable career, maximize their strengths, and pursue their dreams.
Is it possible to major in psychology if you specialize in mathematics?
Le Dai Loc (a 12th-grade math student at Bac Lieu Specialized High School) is confused because many teachers have advised him to choose a major that suits his interests, passions, and family's economic situation.
"If my interests and talents lie in two different fields, for example, I have a talent for social sciences but want to study natural sciences, is that feasible? When interests and talents don't align, should I choose a major based on my talent or my interests? I like psychology," Loc shared.
According to Dr. Pham Tan Ha, Vice Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City), talent and ability are different. Talent is a person's forte in a particular field. For example, someone might have a talent for drawing, music , performing, acting, etc. Ability, on the other hand, is an inner quality, a mental aptitude for a particular field.
This is a question many students wonder about. Even high-achieving students often face this dilemma. They are unsure whether to choose a major based on their current field of study or one that can best utilize their abilities.
"I realize I have a talent for social sciences, but I'm studying natural sciences, so I should reconsider what my true abilities are. Working in the social sciences requires knowledge of both social and natural sciences. It's not the case that studying social sciences means you don't need to know anything about natural sciences, and vice versa."
"You are currently skewed in your focus, concentrating on only one field. That's not good. Normally, we should study to develop in the most comprehensive way possible. In university training programs, social science students still learn natural science knowledge to develop their thinking, gain a clearer perspective, and achieve the most holistic development possible. Psychology considers the B00 subject combination (mathematics - chemistry - biology), so you can absolutely choose to study it," Mr. Ha said.
What subjects should I excel in if I choose to study graphic design?
The Bao, a student from Ea H'Leo, Dak Lak province, asked: "I have a talent for painting, so what major and which school should I choose to develop my talent? If I choose graphic design, what subjects should I excel in, and what are the job opportunities?"
According to Associate Professor Bui Hoai Thang, head of the training department at the University of Technology (Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City), when pursuing majors related to painting, students will be trained to explore, create, analyze, and realize messages through images and brushstrokes.
"Those with a talent for drawing can consider majors such as: painting, multimedia art, fashion design, graphic design, interior design, architecture… The fields of fine arts and architecture are specialized, requiring special talent in art and painting. However, talent is not the deciding factor, but only an advantage," Mr. Thang emphasized.
Students research admission information and university programs to choose a suitable major - Photo: TRAN HUYNH
Sharing more about the graphic design field, Ms. Nguyen Tran Ngoc Phuong, Director of Marketing and Brand Development at Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, said that this field belongs to the applied arts sector, combining creative ideas and aesthetic sensibility through graphic techniques, design software, and design skills to convey messages through beautiful and impressive images.
"Currently, many universities offer graphic design programs: Ho Chi Minh City University of Architecture admits students to its graphic design program with a subject combination of (mathematics - literature - decorative color drawing); Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology considers subject combinations V00 (mathematics - physics - drawing), H01 (mathematics - literature - drawing), D01 (mathematics - literature - English); A00 (mathematics - physics - chemistry). You need to carefully research each university's admission plan and admission methods to choose a school that suits your abilities and aspirations," advised Mr. Phuong.
With the rapid development of media and advertising in Vietnam, graphic design is becoming one of the most attractive fields for young people, especially those who are passionate about creativity and enjoy working in a dynamic environment.
According to statistics from the Ho Chi Minh City Center for Human Resources and Labor Market Forecasting, in 2022, Vietnam needed 1,000,000 graphic design professionals. However, training institutions could only meet 40% of the demand for this profession.
Graduates in graphic design can become design specialists or design consultants at advertising agencies, design companies, media and event organizing companies, art studios, animation and comic book studios, publishing houses, news agencies, etc.
Choose a field of study that is multidisciplinary and multi-faceted.
Addressing the concerns of young people who want to choose a major in economics while also considering a technology-related field, Professor Nguyen Khac Quoc Bao, Vice Director of the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, advises choosing a major that is multidisciplinary and integrates knowledge and skills from many different professions into a single job.
For example, the logistics and supply chain management industry also includes the field of logistics technology. Today, knowledge in the field of logistics is widely applied through automation systems, artificial intelligence, and information technology to make the processes of managing, exporting, buying, selling, transporting, and delivering goods more efficient with the help of machinery and automated processes.
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