Top Tips on How to Choose a Course after SPM or IGCSE O-Levels

Diploma in Accounting Graduate from Asia Pacific University (APU)

Helping Students after SPM or O-Levels in Malaysia to Choose the Best Career & Course that Fits You

Written by EduSpiral Consultant Services For more information contact 01111408838

There are hundreds of choices so how will you pick a career in Malaysia that’s right for you? For students after SPM or O-Levels, this decision can be extremely challenging. Some have even completed a Pre-University course and still do not know which career that they want to be in.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of people who end up choosing the wrong career and become frustrated. Being in the wrong line of work doesn’t only ruin your professional life, but it harms your personal life as well. Having to wake up everyday to go to a job that you don’t like for 30 years can be difficult. In addition, if you had chosen a career that has no job demand or has low salary, it will lead you to extreme difficulty in taking care of your future family.

Fortunately, choosing a course which eventually would prepare you for your future career in Malaysia doesn’t need to a difficult one. Put enough thought and effort into it, and you will increase your chances of making the right choice.

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EduSpiral gets to know who you are so we can advise you how to choose the best Course in Malaysia that fits you

I talked to EduSpiral on WhatsApp and after obtaining all the necessary information. EduSpiral met me and my parents at Heriot-Watt University Malaysia to take us around for a tour. Aun Jie, Chemical Engineering at Heriot-Watt University Malaysia
I talked to EduSpiral on WhatsApp and after obtaining all the necessary information. EduSpiral met me and my parents at Heriot-Watt University Malaysia to take us around for a tour.
Aun Jie, Chemical Engineering at Heriot-Watt University Malaysia

So, it’s crucial to choose the right career.

But how do you choose the right career? There are a number of things that you should take into consideration to pick a career that suits you best. A lot of people end up choosing the wrong careers due to a lack of appropriate guidance and advice. You shouldn’t be one of them.

Before you can choose the right career, you must learn about yourself. If you plan to live a highly satisfying work life and enjoy your work, you should choose a career that suits you best.

What are your values, interests, soft skills, and aptitudes, in combination with your personality type, will make some careers a good fit for you and others completely not.

Use self-assessment tools, often called career tests, to gather information about your traits and, subsequently generate a list of jobs that are a good fit based on them. Some people choose to work with a career counselor or other career development professionals who can help them navigate this process.

  • We review the student’s high school profile, all high school transcripts, projected courses, extracurricular activities, awards, hobbies, interests and outstanding talents.
  • Then we discuss the factors that are most important to the student in identifying appropriate colleges & universities that would fit you
  • We assist to develop priorities for college selection, including courses of study, location, size, extracurricular opportunities, and many other factors
  • Ensure that the student’s interests and achievements are carefully matched with appropriate colleges and universities in Malaysia

Top Tips in Choosing the Right Career in Malaysia

Given below are some important tips or guidelines that you should follow to choose the right career and be happy for the rest of your life.

Diploma in Accounting Graduate from Asia Pacific University (APU)
After I finished my SPM, I felt confused about my further study. Eduspiral, was so patient to answer all my questions and took us around for a campus tour.
Hui Ying, Diploma in Accounting Graduate from Asia Pacific University (APU)

1. We have to choose a career that we like. If we study something that we do not like, then we will hate our working life for the next 60 years. There must be interest as well as passion for the course of study.

2. We have to choose a career that we are actually good at. Just because you like something, doesn’t mean that you are good at it. For example, some people think that they can sing, but when they open their mouths to sing, people run away. Like the American Idol, we see that some people cannot sing but actually believe that they can.

3. We should choose a career that can give us a good salary. Unless you have rich parents or just want to work for charity, then you can ignore this. Most of us need money to survive in this world. We assist students with research on the top jobs in demand in Malaysia to best advise which one would be the best choice. Especially now for most Malaysians where the cost of living is so high, we need to get a career that can provide for us, our future family as well as to support our parents when they grow old.

Help! I Don’t Know Which is the Best Course to Choose to Study at the Top Private University in Malaysia

I had taken a course and wasn't doing well. Then, I met EduSpiral who guided me to the right course and now I am doing very well. Brendon, Entertainment Arts graduate from KDU University College
I had taken a course and wasn’t doing well. Then, I met EduSpiral who guided me to the right course and now I am doing very well.
Brendon, Entertainment Arts graduate from KDU University College

It is important to choose the right course to study – you don’t want to waste your time and money on a course you don’t want to do (or end up dropping out of). To help you decide which course is right for you, make a list of courses that are of interest to you.

Is it a subject you have already studied? For example, maybe you loved the English subject and you read novels for pleasure in your own time. You can consider Teaching English as a Second Language, journalism or Mass Communication. In addition, you don’t have to do a journalism degree to become a journalist – many degrees are considered!

Maybe you’ve always been interested in computers and the internet at home, and enjoyed maths at school, so are considering a degree in computer science, a course subject you probably won’t have studied before. Experienced education counselors are able to analyse your interests, personality and exam results to help you make a list of possible courses for consideration.

Looking at your results in SPM could help you to decide which course you would be good at. If you are good in Maths & Physics then you can consider Engineering courses. Having good results in Chemistry, Biology & Maths, you can think of a career in Food Science, Pharmacy or Medicine. Talking to an experienced education advisor would help you to navigate through this confusing time of choosing the best course that fits you.

Software Engineering at Asia Pacific University (APU)
I was confused about what to study & at which university. Talking to EduSpiral helped clear my doubts.
Zen Yi, Graduated from Software Engineering at Asia Pacific University (APU)

Many students after SPM make the mistake of just listening to advise without verifying whether the information given is true or not. In addition, just because you have heard or seen a lot of advertisements by a particular university, doesn’t mean that it is the best in that course. Many of the course counselors at the universities are paid by the universities to get you to register there, so their main motivation is to get you to register, not to help you make the right choice.

You should also ask yourself if you would still be interested in that subject for a further three or four years – enough to motivate yourself to work and research independently? Remember, you are going to work in this career for the next 50 years after graduation, therefore, you should have a high interest in the course.

The course that you choose should also have a job demand for you after you graduate. Choosing a course that you are passionate about without job demand and you may end up being jobless. Look for statistics and research to support whether there is a job demand for your future career in Malaysia or Singapore. Here at EduSpiral Consultant Services, we do our research on the job demand for the careers in Malaysia, Salary Reports, and universities so that we can advise our students based on facts and evidence.

How to Choose the Right Course to Study after SPM?

My mother whatsapped EduSpiral & he provided vital information to help me make my decision to transfer my diploma. Soon Hong, Marketing at HELP University
My mother whatsapped EduSpiral & he provided vital information to help me make my decision to transfer my diploma.
Soon Hong, Marketing at HELP University

It can be confusing for students to choose the right major for their undergraduate degree studies in Malaysia. Preparations should have been made even before this time but fear not it is still not too late if you have not decided on a career path. It is important for you to research carefully the career that you intend to pursue.

Students after SPM or O-Levels would need to go through some sort of a Pre-University programme before entering into the degree course. Therefore, you still have about 1 to 1.5 years in your Pre-U programme to really figure out what to study for your degree.

It can be confusing to choose the right course after SPM. You should carefully think about what are the options available to you. To choose the best course that fits you, you need to consider the following:

  • Look at your results – what are your best & worst subjects, and which subjects are your favourite?
  • What are your interests & hobbies?
  • What is your passion?
  • Job demand for the career of choice. There is no point in choosing a course out of passion and then graduate to find out that you cannot get a job in that field.
  • Salary of the career of choice
  • Discuss the budget for your studies with your parents. There is no point in choosing a course like Pharmacy or Medicine, if you cannot afford it.

Ask a Knowledgeable & Experienced Education Consultant in Malaysia to Help you Choose the Right Course after SPM

Choosing a course to study after SPM is not a science, it is a process

Lonnie Sik, Founder of EduSpiral, has more than 15 years of experience counseling thousands of students on how to choose the right course & university
Lonnie Sik, Founder of EduSpiral, has more than 15 years of experience counseling thousands of students on how to choose the right course & university

in finding out who you are and what you are good at.

No matter where you live, you’ll always have people who are already employed, expert in a particular field or have more professional experience.

Feel free to get in touch with these people and talk about your aspirations. Gather information about different occupations and industries. Ask them for advice that you can use for choosing a career that’s best for you.

An experienced Education Advisor would be invaluable in assisting you to choose the right course. Students need to talk to the right education counselors so that you get the right information to help you in making this life-changing decision.

Ask the right Education Counselors. Would you ask a Doctor on how to repair your car? Or would you ask a mechanic for medical advise? Although this sounds ridiculous, but many students do listen to advise from young and inexperienced counselors from universities, colleges or agents’ offices.  Talking to an experienced education advisor would help you to navigate through this confusing time of choosing the best course that fits you.

Experienced education counselors are able to analyse your interests, personality and exam results to help you make a list of possible courses for consideration. EduSpiral Consultant Services staff have more than 15 years experience in counseling students. Having worked in the private education industry, we have in-depth knowledge of each private university and college in what they are good at.

EduSpiral Consultant Services has worked with our partner universities and colleges for many years while the counselors at the private universities or agents’ offices change every few years therefore they would not have the in-depth knowledge of the courses and the university that they are working at.

So how should you go about choosing the best course that fits you?

EduSpiral provided me with up-to-date information on Asia Pacific University & helped me to apply for the MARA Loan for my studies to achieve my dreams. Mohd Muaz Anuar graduated with Information Technology (IT) from Asia Pacific University (APU)
EduSpiral provided me with up-to-date information on Asia Pacific University & helped me to apply for the MARA Loan for my studies to achieve my dreams.
Mohd Muaz Anuar graduated with Information Technology (IT) from Asia Pacific University (APU)

Step 1: Look at your Interests, Skills & Personality 

Every one of us has some strengths – and some weaknesses. The point is to find out what you are really good at. Are you good at telling stories? Do you find it easy to coach other writers? Do you love teaching students? There must be something that you feel passionate about and are good at doing. You need to find out what those skills and strengths are.

Create a list of skills that you have, and then pick the strongest skills from that list. Consult your friends or family for an outer perspective. If you play by your strengths, you’ll enjoy a great professional life.

This requires the individual to develop a certain degree of self-awareness. This require you to ask:

  1. What kind of person am I?
  2. What do I like?
  3. What are my hobbies?
  4. What is my personality?
EduSpiral advised & helped me choose the best college for A-Levels. I obtained a scholarship & have graduated from a top ranked UK University. Lucas, A-Levels at HELP Academy & Law Degree from Queens University Belfast
EduSpiral advised & helped me choose the best college for A-Levels. I obtained a scholarship & have graduated from a top ranked UK University.
Lucas, A-Levels at HELP Academy & Law Degree from Queens University Belfast

This process of self-assessment consists of using several instruments in order to uncover your interests, personality type, work related values and skills. It is looking at these things in combination that can help you figure out what courses will be good matches for you, and you could learn something that will surprise you. The greater the overlap between an individual’s interests, aptitudes and personal characteristics and those required by the area of study, the greater the degree of satisfaction when engaged in that area of study. This process will help you decide which course best fits you. If you find the right course at the right college you will be inspired to succeed.

Match what you have come to know about yourself (self-assessment) to a course. During this phase of the career planning process you will decide which course is the best fit for you based on what you now know about yourself and the courses you have researched. This will entail looking at the jigsaw pieces of your life to date and putting them together. Considering your interests, hobbies, skills, aptitudes and achievements, both academic and personal, and identifying certain personality traits combined with appropriate course exploration will hold the key to successful course choice.

Step 2: Look at your Actual Results

Your results in SPM, UEC, or O-Levels will act as a guide in what you are actually good at. For example, if you are good in Physics & Add Maths, then you can consider engineering courses. If you fail in any of these subjects and want to study engineering, then you are being unrealistic.

Step 3: Research the courses and offer at top colleges or universities

was confused about what to study & didn't want to do what my dad was working as because he was so busy. My mum asked EduSpiral to advise me. He showed my that I am different from my dad & helped me to make the right choice. Chong Han, Foundation in Engineering at Taylor's University
was confused about what to study & didn’t want to do what my dad was working as because he was so busy. My mum asked EduSpiral to advise me. He showed my that I am different from my dad & helped me to make the right choice.
Chong Han, Foundation in Engineering at Taylor’s University

Make a list of courses to explore that are of interest to you and then research each course. The internet, college prospectuses, family and friends are your best sources of information and support. Someone who is already studying the course can give you great insight from a student’s perspective.

It is important to attend college open days or other career events and make every effort to speak to lecturers, tutors or admissions staff in the colleges you are interested in, as they will facilitate your decision-making.

Many students drop out or change course, so something is going wrong with students initial decisions. A lot of heartache can be avoided if you take the time to look at the college websites to find out not just which subjects you will be studying on your course but also to find out the content of the individual modules of each subject.

In this way you will know exactly what lies ahead of you. Discovering that you have made the wrong choice can be upsetting, and expensive.

Check out the duration of the course, accreditation, and additional costs such as accommodation, books, travel etc.

Step 4: Talk to the Right People

I didn't know what to study after A-Levels. EduSpiral helped me to understand what I am good at as well as what's in demand for the future. Renee Tan, Mechanical Engineering at Heriot-Watt University Malaysia
I didn’t know what to study after A-Levels. EduSpiral helped me to understand what I am good at as well as what’s in demand for the future.
Renee Tan, Mechanical Engineering at Heriot-Watt University Malaysia

If your car needs to be repaired, you would ask advise from a mechanic and not from a Doctor. So, when asking about your future career, ask from people who are experienced and knowledgeable.

Many Malaysians tend to listen to their parents and relatives without checking the facts to see if it is true. An uncle would tell them to study a certain course and the student would just go for it without doing any research or consideration to see if it fits them.

EduSpiral Consultant Services has more than 20 years experience in helping students choose the right course based on facts and evidence. Students who are still confused and need advise can contact us for a free consultation at 01111408838.

32 thoughts on “Top Tips on How to Choose a Course after SPM or IGCSE O-Levels

  1. Hi…Can i know which business study is high demand and which best university/colleges for business studies

    1. Business courses that have high job demand are accounting, finance, actuarial science, HRM, marketing and logistics.

  2. CAN I KNOW WHAT ARE THE CAREER FOR PENDIDIKAN SENI AND EKONOMI RUMAH TANGGA?NOW I AM FORM 5.MY AMBITION IS TO BE A IT ENGINEER.BUT RESULTS IN PT3 WAS TERUK.pls send me!!!:)

  3. CAN I KNOW WHAT ARE THE CAREER FOR PENDIDIKAN SENI AND EKONOMI RUMAH TANGGA?NOW I AM FORM 5.MY AMBITION IS TO BE A IT ENGINEER.BUT RESULTS IN PT3 WAS TERUK.pls send me!!!

  4. i am a arts stream student. i currently got my spm results this month.. and i am confused on what course to study.. i had attended many education fair but i am still confused on what course to study. i really dont know what are my interest and what i like to study.. i went to some university for a counseling but i stiil can decide.. my results was.. 4A’S for english,science,sejarah, ekonomi rumah tangga and 3B for bahasa melayu, seni,moral. and i got 1C for maths and 1D for perdagangan.. but which is the best university should i choose.. am i eligible to continue my studies in university with my results.. i need some help.. THANK YOU sir/ms/mrs/mdm

      1. which course is in high demand?? Should i choose human resources management or psychology?? do human resorces management is more on maths?? and which course is less to communication area??

  5. ok, then if ipta didn’t give me what i want, will private college consider to let me study the course that i mention there?

  6. I have study form 6 for half year in physics class,,,,, After i finish my form 6 in physics class, can i take my IPTA courses slightly to art stream (examples: Mass Communication, Business, Hospitality…..)? This is because after i study physics, i found like i lost interest in engineering courses.

  7. I am interested in pcychology…but i am still not sure of where to go??? and do i need to do foundation in science to do my degree in pcychology??? i am totally confused

  8. Hai , What is your opinion about bachelor mass communication course in Curtin Sarawak ? in terms of the job prospect and job opportunities after graduate ?

    1. I am not sure anyone would do such a specific research on one university’s job prospects for Mass Comm and it’s job opportunities. Job prospects and Job Opportunities both mean the same thing. There are job prospects for Mass Comm, but I am not sure anyone would have job prospects specifically for Mass Comm graduates from Curtin Sarawak.

      1. i see .thank you for the information . my other question would be, what do you think of taking mass comm in Curtin ? .

  9. I have diploma in MLT. I’m planning to continue degree in biology..May I know more about this course, the job prospect and job opportunities. I also want to know if my decision is right?
    Thank you

    1. No one offers the degree in biology in IPTS. You can only go to IPTA for biology. I am not sure what you are going to work as with a Bio degree other than teach. With a diploma in MLT you should be going into the degree in Biomedical Science.

  10. Hi, I want to take up architecture, but I do not know which university or college got the foundation or diploma course; what I can found is the interior design course but not architecture XP. Can give me some suggestion?

  11. i wanted to choose broadcast communication, but i’m quite weak in language, especially english. And i’m nt interest in business field too. What should i do?

  12. Hi, I want to take up psychology, but the only courses I’ve found are all degree-level. I’m thinking of getting a Science Diploma, then applying for a Degree couse in psychology. Will that work?

    1. Generally, you will need a diploma in psychology in order to go into the degree in psychology. You really like psychology? You can consider mass communication as it is related kind of to psychology in that you need to understand human behaviour in order to “market” to them.

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