Some people react to the climate of uncertainty in the working world by seeking to train in a highly specialised field, hoping that this will provide a "guaranteed future". However, because of the rapid rate of change, there are no real guarantees.

It does make good sense to research job trends and skills that are in high demand. But also remember that you need to take a long-term perspective, and that a university education is about much more than simply the work you go on to do immediately after you graduate.

If you have a clear vocational goal or a genuine passion for a particular field of study, it is still important to find out as much as you can about your chosen profession and to do some reality testing: research job vacancies, typical salaries, and typical working hours and conditions. Contact professional organisations and bodies that specialise in your area of interest. Consider volunteering in your chosen field to test whether you really have the commitment to do that particular kind of work.

However, if your interests and enthusiasms do NOT point to a particular vocational area at this stage, it is a good idea not to limit your future options by specialising too narrowly at university. Rather, consider keeping your options open by doing a more general qualification.