Career Choice: Are Smart Students Really in Science Classes?

by Oluwaseun Kola-Fasanu

Growing up as a young child, many of us thought a smart career choice was based on our passion. We were very passionate about some professions, such as engineering, medicine, accountancy, banking, etc. We never knew what was required of us to make such passionate fantasies a reality. We loved to be like that big uncle or aunty whom so many envied and were excited to spend time with.

Deciding on a career path for many becomes a reality from junior high school or definitely at the senior high school level, where we then have to choose and study foundational subjects meant to aid and direct us towards achieving our lifelong desires. It’s no more wishful thinking at this point, but a serious introspective moment.

So, the general thought is that the smartest people are the ones in science class, while the not-so-smart people go to art class, but this is very far from the truth.

For those that don’t know, let’s start with what these classes are about.

Science Class

Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the world

The Oxford dictionary defines science as the intellectual and practical activity encompassing the systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment.

Apart from the general subject – Mathematics and English, this is where you’ll find the “hard/technical” subjects like; Further Mathematics, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Agricultural Science, Animal Husbandry, Health Education, Physical Education, Fisheries.

Commerce Class

Commerce is the exchange of goods and services, especially on a large scale.

The Oxford Dictionary defines commerce as trade, especially between countries; the buying and selling of goods and services. So when you think business and numbers, you think commerce.

Depending on your school, you’ll take subjects like marketing, economics, bookkeeping, commerce, financial accounting, insurance, office practice, salesmanship, store keeping, and management.

Art Class

Oxford dictionary defines art as the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power.

Subjects taken in this class include: Civic Education, Literature in English, Government, CRS/IRS, Music, History, Dyeing & Bleaching, Visual Art, Food & Nutrition, Home Management.

Research has revealed that 70% of secondary school students do not know or are unsure about what they want to do for a career when they leave school. This is why being smart is not enough reason to join the science class! You need to be able to answer these questions before you decide on a class to join

What do you want to be in the future? It has to be a career choice that interests you.

Why did you choose that career? You should have reasons to support your career choice.

When you have answers to these questions, then it’ll be easier to make the right decision on what class to join. You can be really intelligent and take the art class, as long as you are sure that it is the right class for you.

My Advice

1. If you have the opportunity to continue with all subjects, do that. Don’t narrow yourself to one area if you are not sure of the career choice to pursue after school. Keep your options open!

2. If you already picked a class (science, commercial or art) that’s okay, make the best of your free period to explore the other classes and learn a few things, the knowledge still counts!

In all, give yourself room to explore every subject. You are still learning about yourself even as you learn in school. Beyond your brilliance, your strengths and interests as a person are important as well.