Speak to someone about Higher Education – or just look at a website ?

Getting advice about Higher Education is am important thing, but who makes sure the advice you get is impartial and independent? Lots of people have opinions and thoughts about HE, but how helpful is it with the people giving the advice being trained? Some people do theirs training via their professional organisation, or by attending university events. However in Somerset we are putting 10 of our advisers through the new Higher Education Advisers Certificate run and validated by London South Bank University. This is a Masters level programme and builds on the skills and experience of our staff that between them have many years of working at this level. Indeed we do have staff who already give HE advice to undergraduates and graduates but have never been able to have this aptitude certified. Such an award will be in addition to the specific careers advisory qualifications they already need to be a Careers and Skills Adviser. At Connexions Somerset we feel it is important to build on the skills of our staff and develop our ability to help people make positive career choices. Higher Education can be expensive, involve commitment of time and applied academic effort. All of  which means that good advice on this option is important to ensure that you can benefit from the opportunity. There was an interesting article in the Guardian about this whole issue of speaking to someone who is able to offer professional advice and guidance on this area, compared to just looking at some websites and deciding by yourself. I’m sure all tutors and staff in 6th forms and colleges would recognise the work entailed in this area. As a prospective student by all means look at the web resources, log-on to various social networking sites and check out the various message boards that you might find useful, but do speak to someone who can give you unbiased advice as well. http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2010/jan/05/higher-education-careers-advice-professional