5 Life-Changing Courses for Form 4 Leavers Before Joining College
The release of KCSE results opens a new chapter for candidates. Some look forward to joining university while others end up in colleges to pursue different career paths. However, most will not join college or university immediately and have to wait for a few months for the May, August, or January intake.
The months in limbo can change your academic and career life forever. One of the valuable ways to spend these few months and transform your future is by pursuing very short courses.
Wait! But that amounts to joining college?
I would not call it that for several reasons.
· The courses take a few weeks and no more than 3 months
· Fees paid for the course is minimal
· You study a few hours a day, allowing you to still work or take up other responsibilities. You may also opt to study in the evening or over the weekend.
· The courses are open to persons who scored any grade. Any!
· The skills gained can be used to earn a living while you pursue your main course in college or university.
· The courses will prove valuable in your career when you go looking for a job upon completion of your studies.
The courses are easily available in your neighborhood college with a few computers or even one room as a class. You may also continue learning online with excellent resources in the form of videos and apps. Since these are skills, you only need the basics, after which you can learn on your own. Here are the top 5 courses to consider for a form four leaver.
· Computer Packages
Secondary school students are encountering computers in school but there is something more and structured about studying computers as packages. It introduces you to the basics of handling a computer, this time with a greater purpose. You can distinguish apps used for writing documents, accounting, publishing, video editing, and such other computer-related work. Once you get to college, you could start a cyber cafe and typing services to serve fellow students.
Computer packages have also advanced to include graphic design, video editing, data entry, and such functional applications. These packages offer skills that you can already use to earn upkeep while in college. It costs less than 5k and just a month to complete the course.
· Foreign Languages
It takes a few months to complete a basic foreign language course. You can then turn to books and online tutorials to advance your language skills. The most common and on-demand languages today are French, German, Spanish, and Chinese. A basic French course at Alliance Francaise, for instance, will take 6 weeks. The charges are similar for other languages.
Upon completion of your language course, opportunities await you in such areas as translation, NGO, journalism, and international relations, among others. Businessmen, tour operators, and government departments are also looking for such skills.
· Graphics Design
I included graphics design among computer packages but I wish to repeat and emphasize something. While it is a package, it opens room for a wider range of self-employment opportunities and a boost to your profession. You may learn about photo or video graphic design.
Graphics design skills allow you to work in photography, advertising, film making, journalism, or work as a freelancer. Your work will include designing cards, books, fliers, billboards, and such advertising materials. Since every town requires such services, you have a chance to make a fortune. All the branding you can see around you is done by graphics designers.
· Sign Language
While I had talked about languages before, this is a unique one that deserves individual attention. Every press conference today is featuring a sign language interpreter. News outlets are also looking for sign language anchors. The same is being replicated in conferences and other public gatherings. With increased mainstreaming of differently-abled persons, sign language will become a norm.
· Driving
It takes just 2 weeks and less than 10k. Once you get your license, you can go anywhere you wish. It allows you to work as a private driver. You also begin the journey to earning a PSV license early. CDF and county governments are offering sponsorships.
The decision to take a quick course after form four should not be taken for the sake of it. The secret is to identify a skill that will have wide application, enhances your envisaged career, and can help you to begin earning as early as possible. Look for sponsorship opportunities if the funds are limited.