In the age of AI, should we choose academic fields 'related to AI'?

Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the way we learn, work, and enter the job market. To prepare well for the future, graduating high school students are wondering whether they should choose a major based on their interests, abilities, or current trends.

Responding to this issue, Ms. Truong Thi Ngoc Bich, Director of the Information and Communication Center at the University of Economics and Finance Ho Chi Minh City (UEF), said that in the context of the AI boom, the most important thing for students is not to choose hot majors "related to AI," but to identify a major that suits them and has the ability to adapt in the long term.

In their final year of high school, students need to take time to observe and identify their strengths in thinking: analytical thinking, socio-psychological aptitude, passion for content creation, ability to work with images, or interest in business strategy. Understanding which type of thinking they excel at will help them choose the right field of study and learning methods.

"Students also need to understand the future career landscape, such as work pace, requirements for independent or teamwork, opportunities for advancement, and job volatility in the context of AI development."

"Regardless of their chosen field, AI is merely a supporting tool. A solid foundation of specialized knowledge, critical thinking, the ability to learn continuously, and interpersonal skills are the decisive factors that will help Gen Z thrive in the digital age," Ms. Bich stated.

Many graduating high school students wonder whether they should choose a major based on their interests, abilities, or current trends? (Illustrative image)

Sharing the same view, Mr. Pham Thai Son, Director of the Admissions and Communications Center at Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade (HUIT), said that majors related to "Industry 4.0" such as Information Technology, Automation, Electronics, etc., are attracting great interest. However, this is not a temporary trend, but stems from the actual needs of the labor market.

However, Mr. Son cautioned candidates against blindly chasing after "hot" majors. In the era of Industry 4.0, most fields have elements related to information technology. Therefore, completely separating a "purely technology-based" field and following the crowd is illogical.

According to Mr. Son, before choosing a school, candidates need to clearly identify which profession they truly love and are passionate about. Next, they must accurately assess their own abilities, determining whether they have the capacity to pursue their passion and meet the professional requirements of the field. If they only have an interest but their abilities are not suitable, they should not try to pursue it.

Besides passion and ability, candidates also need to consider family circumstances and geographical factors to ensure their study plan is feasible.

Finally, Mr. Son encouraged candidates to consult with family and experts. Many initial preferences are based on emotion or influenced by the majority, so more analysis and objective perspectives are needed before making a decision.

"After identifying a suitable career path through the four steps above, only then should you choose a training institution. Many candidates nowadays tend to choose a school first and then a major, which can easily lead to mistakes in career orientation," said Master Pham Thai Son.

In the age of AI, students should not choose majors based on popular trends, but rather on what suits their individual abilities. (Illustrative image)

From the university's perspective, Associate Professor Pham Van Bong, Vice Rector of Hanoi University of Industry, stated that many candidates choose technology-related majors, and most have considered their options quite carefully. However, there are still cases where students only realize their chosen major is unsuitable once they begin studying.

According to him, changing majors is only supported in certain cases. If a student wants to switch to a different major but still within the same field or group of specialization, and meets the requirements after the first year, the school will consider allowing the transfer.

Conversely, for students who discover their passion lies in a completely different field, switching majors or transferring schools becomes much more difficult. In such cases, they may have to accept losing 1–2 years of study already completed.

"There are psychology majors that attract few applicants, but the demand from society is not lacking. Even at our school, in the past, there were majors where employers and businesses eagerly awaited graduates, but we still couldn't meet the demand."

Therefore, choosing the right career path from the outset is crucial. Candidates need to carefully consider the criteria before making their final choice," said Associate Professor Pham Van Bong.

LINH NHI

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/thoi-dai-ai-co-nen-chon-nhung-nganh-hoc-gan-voi-ai-ar992279.html