Vocational vs. academic subjects: the debate

There’s always been the debate on vocational and academic subjects. University is where the whole situation is focused at. When choosing your university course, teachers often feel the need to try and steer you in the right direction.

Last year, I finally plucked up the courage to tell my teachers I was going to study Journalism at university, rather than an academic subject like English or History. Why? Because I’ve been on so many work experience placements, and have been told numerous times by editors and journalists that they want people who have the experience, not just someone who knows how to write an essay on a Shakespearean text.

What more could I want than a degree in Journalism? That way, I’ll have the practical knowledge, the shorthand skills and also will have been equipped with the best knowledge possible, so I can graduate as a journalist and get a job without any further training needed.

What is best?

It really does depend on what you want to get out of life after graduation. Some people wish to be writers, so a degree in something more academic, like English, would be beneficial. Media subjects are often criticised for being too vocational. I honestly don’t think that Journalism is vocational whatsoever, as it’s got a healthy balance of practical work, such as radio and television, yet also offers many academic modules such as Law, Ethics, Public Admin and the History of Journalism. Hence why many universities offer a joint honours in English and Journalism. But remember, academic subjects are highly regarded, so it’s also important to consider those.

Under pressure

There are so many degrees out there, which means deciding is not always simple. I have friends who are starting university in September, yet are having second thoughts on what to study, due to being pressured by teachers or parents. Students at times have too much expectation put on them, and are told to aim high. This probably doesn’t help students if their parents want them to go to a Russell Group university, as the majority of subjects on offer are academic but they may rather study a vocational subject.

This is your decision

When deciding on a university course, don’t just do something because parents or teachers have advised you to do something. That is the worst thing possible to do, as you have to have so much interest in the subject you wish to study at university. You really would regret it if you listened to someone else, just because they feel that another degree is better.

What do you think about academic and vocational subjects? Let us know in the comments below.

Photo: Waag Society / Flickr

Nadene Chandler

18 year old student travel journalist. I write and edit many publications.