With the announcement of the grades of the Panhellenic Examinations, candidates are now turning their attention to the process of completing and submitting the Computerized Form. The relevant platform of the Ministry of Education is expected to open next week, according to information from APE-MBE.

In addition to researching schools and programs of study, what should applicants consider? Are there any schools or departments that better meet future market needs? Who are they; What options does Parallel Computing offer?

For the answer to these questions, which often concern the candidates and their parents, the APE-MPE addressed the Counseling Science and Professional Career Laboratory of the Pedagogical Department of Secondary Education of the Philosophy School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. The director of the Laboratory, associate professor Katerina Argyropoulou and the scientific collaborators of the Laboratory, specialized career counselors Anastasia Vrettou, Aspasia Karavia, Penelope Belki, Olympia Haidemenaki, shared their knowledge.

Five -plus 1- tips for completing the Computer Science

The process of completing the Computer Form is a “critical step”, according to experts, and requires careful thought and planning. What most people have in mind is to make the selection based on interests and overall points. This is not enough, however, as the process (should) be more complex.

The first and most important tip for completing the Computer Science Application is for applicants to do extensive research on the schools and programs of study they are interested in. This research should include the courses, requirements and career prospects of each school or department. As the experts note, “this will help them on the one hand to better prepare for the demands of university education and on the other hand to ensure the alignment of their choices with their academic goals.”

Candidates, however, should maintain a flexible attitude and be open to alternative study options in order to have a better chance of success, according to them.

In addition to this, candidates should follow the following steps:

1. To find time and courage to listen to their inner voice, after the barrage of advice and experiences that important and less important people will want to share with them

2. To study the curriculum of the schools that seem interesting to them, to have objective information, away from prejudices and stereotypes

3. To be willing to take the (calculated) risk of their choice. Remember that a perfect decision does not exist and taking personal responsibility is an enviable personality skill.

4. To prioritize their studies according to their interests and not the credits. It is important that they like what they are studying.

5. To choose the schools that really interest them. Often applicants get carried away and use a school’s admissions base as a criterion for its value, which, as specialist careers advisers have pointed out, is not the case.

Employability priority sectors

According to the professional guidance counselors, “for each individual there are schools-“diamonds”, as – as confirmed by reality – when someone loves what he does, he does it well, overcomes any obstacles and, ultimately, emerges sooner or later the labor market”.

In general, however, IT, care, social solidarity and support, tourism and shipping sectors seem to have some edge in employability.

In more detail:

* Positive and Technological Sciences: Departments of Informatics, Mechanical Engineering and Electrical Engineering present high prospects, due to the continuous technological progress and the demand for specialists in this field.

* Health Sciences: Departments of Medicine, Biomedicine and Pharmacy continue to be in high demand, especially due to the growing need for medical services and research.

* Economics and Management Sciences: Departments of Business Administration, Economics and Accounting remain popular, as these knowledge are critical to the development and operation of businesses.

In particular, from now on, the schools of Informatics, Maritime studies, departments of Agriculture, departments of legal studies, departments of engineering, departments of medicine and also departments of administration are expected to be in the first preferences of the candidates, since “green” professions are starting to become sought after and the more… “green” professional options are gaining ground (Argyropoulou K., et al., 2023).

More specifically, the “green” professions include, among others: environmental engineers, geologists, hydrologists or specialists in the study of the atmosphere, designers of “smart” houses or even “smart” cities, hydroponic/organic farmers, textile and paint specialists, technicians installation of anti-fouling systems, operators of material recycling facilities/maintenance of photovoltaic and solar systems.

In addition, new, alternative, “green” paths can be considered, for example, environmental protection lawyers, artists with non-toxic materials, climate protection ambassadors, scientists specializing in Artificial Intelligence, environmental development specialists, sustainable entrepreneurship consultants.

What does professional success mean?

“Professional success does not depend in any way on attending only one school,” clarified the advisers of the Laboratory. “Professional success often depends on personal skills and characteristics such as flexibility, adaptability, communication, leadership and the ability to work in a team. Developing these skills is just as important as academic knowledge,” they pointed out.

The choice of Parallel Computing

Parallel Computer Science is an additional, alternative route for those who do not manage to get into a university and it concerns admission to public SAEK (Higher Vocational Training Schools – formerly Public IEK).

Candidates can submit the Computer Science Bulletin for HEIs, the Parallel Computer Science, choosing the specialty they are interested in and claiming a place at SAEK only with the grade of their high school diploma.

Parallel Computing offers many vocational training options beyond those of basic computing, however, there are also related options that have a more practical or helpful character, according to Ms. Argyropoulou and her associates. By providing the possibility of qualifying exams in respective university departments, after completing the studies and receiving the relevant certification from EOPPEP, the public IEKs are another option, especially for those who for any reason want something different or want to be near their place of residence.