Confucius said choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life. Veronica Stivala goes on the University campus to find out what career paths students have chosen.

Stephanie Dalli
Age: 25
Course: Bachelor of Laws

Which career do you wish to pursue?

I want to become a lawyer.

Why have you chosen this career path?

Being a lawyer is a prestigious profession. It involves speaking your mind, debating and standing up for what you believe in. I initially did a degree in psychology and over the years realised that I had a keen interest in debating, so I started to read for a new degree.

Are you planning any specialisation?

Until now my interest lies in criminology though this may change along the years. The reason behind this is probably my psychology degree – I’ve learnt about the victim’s side of things, the way they think and what they’ve been through.

What difficulties do you think you will encounter?

Things are already difficult because, since this is my second degree I don’t get a stipend – this means that I don’t have any source of income and am living off my savings from summer and other jobs. Another pertinent problem is actually finding a job and, once I do start working in the field, to see whether the job is right for me.

Do you plan to work abroad or locally?

I would like to work abroad to gain some experience, even if it’s not as a lawyer. However, I would still want to eventually return to Malta.

Analisa Tonna
Age: 20
Course: BSc (Hons) Nursing

Which career do you wish to pursue?

I would like to become a nurse.

Why have you chosen this career path?

Initially I wanted to be a nutritionist but then I chose nursing. Now that I am in my second year of studies, I feel that I fit in this role and possess the qualities needed to be a nurse – I like to meet people, listen to them and help them get better.

Are you planning any specialisation?

Our lecturers encourage us to specialise though I’m still undecided. I would like to specialise eventually but I haven’t yet found an area I would like to focus on.

What difficulties do you think you will encounter?

I feel that, like me, students following this course are not being motivated enough to reach a high standard. Lectures are often cancelled and we are left in the dark with regards to timetables and exam results. We had no exams this semester and I wish that we’re given other relevant information regarding our thesis or work placement. I’m afraid the consequences of this will be that I won’t be prepared enough to face the real world after I complete my studies.

Do you plan to work abroad or locally?

I would like to work locally – however if there’s an opportunity for me to work abroad and gain experience I would consider it.

Shaun Maniscalco
Age: 21
Course: B. Engineering

Which career do you wish to pursue?

I would like to become an engineer.

Why have you chosen this career path?

I have always been keen on the manufacturing industry and with my qualifications (maths and physics), the engineering course was the closest to this industry. I’m highly interested in managerial positions in the manufacturing industry and hope to one day achieve such a position.

Are you planning any specialisation?

I do plan to specialise – however, it’s still to soon for me to decide. I would first like to work and gain some experience and find out what I really like and what I’m good at and take it from there.

What difficulties do you think you will encounter?

Finding a good job is always a worry. I’m also finding it difficult to decide whether I want to do my Masters degree here or abroad, or by correspondence.

Do you plan to work abroad or locally?

I would like to work abroad to gain experience – however it will always be with the aim to return to Malta as I love living here.

Lianne Bonello
Age: 21
Course: BA (Hons) Criminology

Which career do you wish to pursue?

I would like to work as a probation or a parole officer.

Why have you chosen this career path?

I became interested in criminology through crime scene investigation programmes. Studying the causes and nature of criminal behaviour is in itself highly interesting and the more I study, the more I learn how, as opposed to television programmes, in real life things are rarely black and white.

Are you planning any specialisation?

I would like to study law enforcement and read for a Masters degree which is court-related.

What difficulties do you think you will encounter?

Since the subject of criminology is constantly developing, you can never have enough experience. The area includes other vast subjects like sociology and psychology so you really have to do a lot of research to be on the ball. Another difficulty is that there are not many related jobs in Malta and opportunities are very limited.

Do you plan to work abroad or locally?

I love my family so perhaps I would only consider working abroad for a short time.

Dylan Pullicino
Age: 20
Course: BA Maltese and Anthropology

Which career do you wish to pursue?

I wish to be a journalist, a teacher or an interpreter.

Why have you chosen this career path?

I love Maltese literature and language so I would want to work in this area. I’m also considering journalism because I feel there is a lack in the quality of Maltese in the local media.

My ideal job would be to become a teacher – I would love to pass on the things I love and have learnt.

Are you planning any specialisation?

I would like to teach Maltese at secondary level, for which I would need to read for a teaching degree.

What difficulties do you think you will encounter?

I’m afraid that I will be picked on for favouring the Maltese language were I to go for a career in journalism. This doesn’t mean that I’m against the use of English – not at all. It’s good that we are bilingual – I just don’t like it when people code-switch constantly.

Do you plan to work abroad or locally?

I would like to teach Maltese to foreigners or even to children whose Maltese parents are living abroad.

Kelly Peplow
Age: 19
Course: BA Communications and English

Which career do you wish to pursue?

I would like to become a travel journalist.

Why have you chosen this career path?

I have a passion for writing and travelling and this job would give me the opportunity to combine both. Travelling to new places also means I’m constantly learning. I love meeting people and exploring other cultures and traditions and this job is just the ticket for doing what I enjoy most. To top it all, such a job can never be monotonous and not knowing what the next day will bring only intrigues me more.

Does any particular area in travel journalism interest you?

I’m interested in exploration so any area interests me. If I had to choose I would love to inject some history in my journeys – places rich in history like Greece and Turkey are top on my list.

What difficulties do you think you will encounter?

I don’t know for how long I would be able to do this job – I’m aware that travelling is expensive and my employer may not be able to keep me on for long.

Where do you plan to work?

I want to gain some experience locally. Just because I have a degree doesn’t mean I have the necessary experience to be a travel writer. Then I will hit the world.