Why not an university? Skills, talents and knowledge.

While choosing a study to gain a profession each young person should think what certain skills (not knowledge) it will provide. Please read whole article if you want to know why I think so.

When I asked what I did wrong during my studies and why I can't earn decent money, my Darling immediately replied 'You don't have any unique skills'. After considering his response I found him to be right. I had even thought so myself while writing my rpg system. One has to have skills if wants to earn.

Skills are commonly confused with knowledge or talent in my homeland. I, for example made the same presumption when choosing my field of studies. Fortunately, I didn't when the time came to choose my specialisation. The below illustration sheds light on this experience.

A common incorrect assumption is that psychologists provide tests, therapy and also drugs to treat a patient. Whilst tests and therapy are common practice, providing a prescription is never part of the job. This would be illegal and dangerous, as my studies do not provide an adequate overview of human physiology and the nervous system. Whereas a psychiatrist is a physician - a trained doctor.

As an occupational psychologist i.e. I will advise my clients on their future career choices. Of course I won't be able do so if I don't get to know them first. I will therefor provide tests to help learn their needs faster than in a conversation. Though talking is the basis for every psychologists' actions.

Almost everybody would be able to conduct such tests if law didn't prevent them. And if in the future one will be allowed to use questionnaires oneself, the job of the psychologist would be limited. This comes down to the fact that it is mainly knowledge (know-how) that is needed to conduct such tests; talent is not a requirement. Interpreting and explaining the meaning of such test results is a skill that any intelligent person could master.

When it comes to talent my friend once said, that I must train if I want to transform it into skill. There are wisdom in those words. If I had no practical groundings then I would not be able to provide appropriate advice for future clients. As I am practicing here, on this site, so I would be grateful if all of you could give me feedback through commentary. Another way of transforming talents into skills is through an apprenticeship.

Now that we have established some practical differences between skill, knowledge and talent I will add a few trivial things. Those young people who want to study immediately after secondary school, especially when they have never practiced a profession, should think first about institutes of technology and Academies of all types. (In my homeland all Academies teach to the standards of academic degrees whereas not all in UK.)

Generally speaking university is good for one who had a plan what to do with a lot of knowledge which is already available on Wikipedia. It is a dare. I took it and I am satisfy now hoping I will be still in the future. I know that my skills are not unique, but my personality is. This makes quite good perspective for psychologist.