There are a lot of courses offered by the various Senior high schools in Ghana. Before you choose a course, you must first do a knowledge check to understand if it aligns with your career objectives and the job opportunities it comes with.
The courses studied at the senior high school level should not be taken for granted because they serve as the basis for further studies at the tertiary level and also give you the crucial skills to pursue your future career interests
Job Opportunities For SHS Courses.
1. General Science.
Learners of this course have the opportunity to study Medicine, Engineering, Nursing, Pharmacy, Agriculture, and Biochemistry at the Tertiary level.
After completing studies at the tertiary level students can become Doctors, Nurses, Civil and Mechanical Engineers, Biochemists, Computer Scientists, and Pharmacists.
2. Business.
Some of the courses for business Students at the tertiary level include Business administration with options in either Accounting, Marketing, or Human resource management.
Again there is Business Management, logistics, and supply management which are also good business courses at the tertiary level.
After successful completion of tertiary education students can become Accountants, Logistics managers, Marketers, Human resource managers, Financial analysts, Bank managers, cashiers, Business advisers, Investment managers, and Auditors.
3. General Arts
Students who opt to read General Art have the opportunity to apply for admission to the highly esteemed faculties of law and arts at the prestigious University of Ghana, Legon.
However, it is important to note that the admission process is highly selective and competitive. Students with an aggregate score range of 6 to 12 are more likely to be granted admission.
Again, Students with a diverse arts background have a range of career options to choose from. Pursuing a profession in nursing, teaching, accounting, communication, linguistics, publishing, media, and other fields can be a fulfilling and rewarding experience. It’s amazing how one’s passion for the arts can translate into so many different career paths.
4. Home Economics
To be admitted to the Department of Vocational and Technical Education at the tertiary level, you must have passed Management in Living and two other relevant elective topics.
Graduates of this department have various employment opportunities such as professional school teachers, matrons, dietitians, caterers, and restaurant managers.
The curriculum focuses on practical skills such as house furnishing, cooking, pastry and food preservation, childcare, sewing, cleaning, and other related skills.
5. Visual Arts
A student who studies creative arts can choose from a variety of professions such as painting, sculpture, drawing, printmaking, or filmmaking. This is different from literature and music.
Students who have a background in visual arts or home economics can apply to the Department of Integrated Rural Art and Industry at KNUST or other universities.
For students in visual arts, they must select one of the following electives: General Knowledge in Arts, Art, Picture Making, or Graphic Design. They must also choose from Textiles, Sculpture, or Leatherwork.
Below is a table showing the courses offered by the various senior high schools and their elective subjects;
| COURSES | ELECTIVE SUBJECTS |
|---|---|
| BUSINESS | BUSINESS MANAGEMENT, ECONOMICS, PRINCIPLE OF COSTING OR ELECTIVE MATHEMATICS, |
| GENERAL ARTS | FRENCH, ECONOMICS, GEOGRAPHY, HISTORY, GOVERNMENT, RELIGIOUS STUDIES GENERAL |
| GENERAL SCIENCE | CHEMISTRY, ELECTIVE MATHS, BIOLOGY |
| HOME ECONOMICS MANAGEMENT | MANAGEMENT IN LIVING, FOOD, AND NUTRITION, GENERAL KNOWLEDGE IN ARTS, TEXTILE, ECONOMICS, FRENCH VISUAL |
| VISUAL ARTS | GENERAL KNOWLEDGE IN ARTS, TEXTILE, GRAPHIC DESIGN, LITERATURE IN ENGLISH, FRENCH, ECONOMICS, BASKETRY, LEATHER WORK, PICTURE MAKING, CERAMICS, AND SCULPTURE |
Conclusion
I understand that deciding on which course to pursue can be overwhelming, but please know that studying hard and passing your WASSCE is what truly matters during senior high school.
Researching courses and career opportunities offered in senior high school is crucial.