Would you rather go to upper secondary school or a vocational educational institution?

Quiz Questions

• 1.
  I like...

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  • A.
    To take action and see results
  • B.
    To discuss and analyse
  • C.
    To do a variety of things, and I have no clear preference
• 2.
  During my studies, I want to...

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  • A.
    Travel abroad to gain professional experience and receive a scholarship to do so
  • B.
    Concentrate on studying general subjects in an upper secondary school in another country and I am fully prepared to make the effort to secure funding
  • C.
    I don't know if I want to study abroad right now
• 3.
  Do you have to worry about your financial situation during your studies?

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  • A.
    I haven’t discussed this with my family
  • B.
    Yes, I need additional financial support and definitely the option of boarding school facilities
  • C.
    No, my financial situation does not affect my choice
• 4.
  I wish I could...

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  • A.
    Acquire the skills required to enter the labour market with confidence as quickly as possible
  • B.
    Focus completely on my studies and choose my specialty later on, to apply my knowledge on the labour market in the future
  • C.
    Talk to someone, since I don’t know what I want to do next
• 5.
  Do you enjoy intellectual activities that require analysis and reflection?

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  • A.
    I do, and it challenges me
  • B.
    It doesn’t suit me much
  • C.
    I don’t know
• 6.
  Reading materials and compulsory literature are...

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  • A.
    Interesting only if they have a practical efficiency
  • B.
    Fascinating to me, and help me to make new connections
  • C.
    Entirely irrelevant to me, and I see no value in them
• 7.
  I feel that the familiar rhythm of school...

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  • A.
    Does not motivate me, but I don’t know what other options are out there
  • B.
    Is not for me, and I want to try a school rhythm with more practical activities
  • C.
    Suits me, and I want to continue with it
• 8.
  After graduating from a vocational educational institution or upper secondary school, I want to...

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  • A.
    Just to take some time and find clarity in myself
  • B.
    Focus on the labour market, to achieve material independence
  • C.
    Be sure to devote myself to more in-depth studies in university

Quiz Outcomes

• 1.
  You should think about secondary education

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  You seem to be more interested in general studies, debating, solving tasks requiring reflection, reading and researching. If you are planning to continue your studies in university in the future, you should choose upper secondary school now to prepare more thoroughly. Today’s upper secondary schools also offer different fields of study, so you can choose the one that suits your interests and skills (e.g. nature, economics, foreign languages, humanities, multimedia, etc.). After finishing upper secondary school, you will also be able to continue on and obtain a vocation. If you would like to make a more informed decision about which field of study to choose or how to go to a school interview with confidence, contact an Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund career specialist.
• 2.
  You should think about vocational education

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  You seem more interested in acting and acquiring practical skills. If you feel you are ready to acquire specialist skills and begin an independent working life, you could opt for vocational education. After completing basic school, you can choose whether to begin acquiring only vocational skills or to combine vocational education with acquiring a secondary education. In the case of vocational education, you will be studying both the career of your choice and general subjects at the same time. Unlike an upper secondary school, state examinations are not mandatory for graduates of vocational secondary education, but they can still be passed if they wish - in this case it is possible to enter the university from vocational school in the future. When acquiring your vocational education, you have the option of living in a boarding school facility and receiving financial support, either for good learning outcomes or to help resolve financial problems. You can also take part in a student mobility programme if you have a vocational education. Internships abroad last from two weeks to the entire academic year. If you would like to make a more informed decision about which specialty to choose or how to attend a school interview with confidence, contact the Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund career specialist.
• 3.
  Your preference is unclear

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  It looks like you remain undecided about which direction to move in. Some thoughts for you, to help you make the right choice about further education. Upper secondary school allows you to concentrate on general subjects and provides a good stepping stone to the university. At the same time, after completing secondary education, you can also enter vocational training and move into the labour market with acquired skills. You can count on some upper secondary schools also having boarding school facilities where you can live and concentrate on your studies while acquiring your education. While you’re in upper secondary school, you can demonstrate your knowledge in Olympiads for various subjects, and take part in other projects promoting development. After upper secondary school it will be important to continue your studies, to ensure that you are competitive in the labour market. A vocational education will allow you to take your first steps onto the labour market in a couple of years. During your studies, you have the option of living in a boarding school facility and receiving financial support, either for good learning outcomes or to help resolve financial problems. As opposed to upper secondary education, state exams are not compulsory for vocational secondary education leavers, but you can still take them if you wish – doing so will give you the opportunity to go pursue a higher education in the future, either directly from vocational school or while you are already working. You can also take part in a mobility scheme while acquiring a vocational education, where internships abroad can last from two weeks to a whole academic year. A separate scholarship is generally also awarded for this period. If you remain unsure about your choice of specialty, you can choose a year selecting the right specialty, during which you will learn about different specialties, and after which you will be able to make an informed decision about the one that is right for you. Remember that deciding in favour of one path or another never precludes the other – there are many young people who go on to acquire a vocational education after upper secondary school, and there are also vocational educational institution graduates who head on to an institution of higher education. Everyone will find their own path. One thing is for sure – we encourage you to continue with your studies and to acquire the professional skills and knowledge you need to succeed in the labour market, as this is the only way to build a solid foundation for a rewarding career and working life. You always have the opportunity to talk to a career specialist at the Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund. He or she will support you in making an informed decision regarding your education.