Click here for an example of a practical course in graphic design.
A new mindset: skills and lifelong learning
Although the concept of post-secondary education is slowly changing, it is still currently mostly connected to the traditionalist mindset of students pursuing a traditional university or college degree, after which the fresh graduate is expected to explore the labour market. This kind of mindset is slowly fading thanks to the technological and digital revolution, which has given birth to a series of new career opportunities which require the hands-on approach to be performed correctly.
Therefore, skills are becoming the most significant value in the current labour market. More and more employers are basing their choices on whether the candidates have any on-field experience. This experience is rather practical than theoretical: they vary from abroad studies, cooperation projects and internships to digital badges and certifications.
That said, the two winning strategies are on-field experiences that can be acquired when choosing a degree programme which combines theory and practice, and, after graduation, and a constantly updated, skill– and certification rich CV. The latter is known as “lifelong learning”, and this approach is gaining more and more popularity as the atomization of jobs is progressing due to technology.
How to choose a practical degree course
Therefore, choosing a practical rather than an academic degree course is the best option to increase your career perspective. But remember to gather information on the type of pragmatic approach that your degree course has to offer. Whether you choose a cooperation program that combines working with studying or a degree programme that foresees a year in industry, consider all the possibilities your degree course offers, such as research projects, internships, and collaborations.
In other words, universities and colleges with famous partners and collaboration project opportunities are a good choice if you are planning to get the best out of the practical side of your degree course.
You should still remember that improving your practical skills does not mean that the theory should be left behind – on the contrary! But theoretical knowledge has no value until it is put into practice. Since the idea is the basis for training, they should be combined to go through the beforementioned change of mindsets from the old-fashioned and purely theoretical degree to the modern and currently required skill-based mentality.
The pros of practical work
Moreover, practical work promotes experiential learning and encourages self-learning. It leads you to perfect your assignments, and it helps you to become an expert in your field. Additionally, practice complements theory, and therefore, you are more likely to remember what has been studied rather than by just listening to a lecture.
Most students find it motivating since practical approaches offer a change from the traditional lecture method. Besides, you are probably going to acquire skills for group- and teamwork during your hands-on experience. And finally, the know-how of handling difficult situations at work (or even in private life) independently and confidently is the benefit of practice during your studies.
Conclusively
ACS – ASOMI College of Sciences promotes practical study approaches and organizes internships, collaboration and research projects with several partners and stakeholdersworldwide. It aims to shorten the gap between theory and practice, that is, between the labour market andthe study courses. Besides, as already mentioned in the article, the best solution is to combine theory to practice in the best possible ways in the current and rapidly changing job market.
