Uni or TAFE

Uni or TAFE Uni or TAFE?Posted November 1, 2013, by Jo MesserI didnt get the marks to get into uni. Is TAFE a good alternative option?Amanda, 18TAFE is a great stepping stone if you dont get into university straight from Year 12. Depending on what course you are doing and what your ultimate career goal is, it could be an even better option than university. The learning environment of TAFE is more focused on ensuring students gain practical skills for work. If you prefer to be more hands-on in your learning then TAFE could be a good fit. The other advantage of going to TAFE is that it can be an easier transition from high school to tertiary study. Class sizes are generally smaller and there tends to be more personal contact with teachers. At TAFE, qualifications are certificate I, II, III or IV, diploma and then advanced diploma. Completing a qualification may take one to three years, depending on what course you are doing. You can build on your qualifications as you go and there a re exit points along the way. Make sure you have a look at The Job Guide to review the qualifications needed to work in the job or area you are interested in. TAFE tends to offer predominantly vocational courses that prepare students to work in fields like building and construction, aged care, community work, office work or trades whereas university caters to more professional white-collar careers such as law, medicine, academia, research, consulting or general business. The good news is that many institutions are now dual-sector, so they have both TAFE and university courses, and many TAFE courses can act as pathways into university degrees. For example, a Diploma of Nursing can be a pathway to a Bachelor of Nursing likewise, a Diploma of Business can segue into a Bachelor of Business. So even if you didnt get the marks to enter uni now, it could still be an option down the track with the help of a TAFE course.Jo Messer is a Career Development Specialist who has many years of ex perience in supporting and guiding students and graduates of some of Australias most respected universities, as well as mature-aged clients, across all facets of their career. She is a Professional Member of CDAA and an active member of NAGCAS. Whether you have a specific question about how to achieve your career goal or something more general, Jo is available to provide you with up-to-date advice. ResourcesMy first resumeCover letter for my first jobCareer Insider StoriesShelley Lask - Body Positive Health & FitnessInterested in becoming a?menschengerecht Resources OfficerGeneral ManagerBusiness ManagerAccountantOffice AdministratorPopular Career Searchesthings to know before uniuni tips and tricksmba or masterscareer advisor onlineunsw early entry CoursesBachelor of Social WorkEnquire Online Enquire OnlineCertificate III in Health AdministrationEnquire Online Enquire OnlineBachelor of Criminal JusticeEnquire Online Enquire OnlineCertificate III in Allied Health AssistanceEnquire O nline Enquire OnlineJo MesserRelated ArticlesBrowse moreAnimal CareDr Chris Brown An Interview With The Bondi VetIts World Animal Day Marni celebrates all creatures great and small by asking the Bondi Vet, Dr Chris Brown, what its really like to work with animals.EducationOnline studyDistance education for teachers a course for celebrationStudying by distance isnt everyones cup of tea. But for 44 year-old education student Sylvia Taylor, it provided an opportunity to fulfill a lifelong wish to become a teacher.EnvironmentalImprove your career prospects with green skillsWith talk of climate change and carbon taxes on everyones lips, awareness of green issues is at an all-time high. But look around your workplace are green practices an integrated part of your organisations culture?