You have a friend who is about to enter university, and he wants you to advise him on which subject to specialize in – history, in which he is very interested, or computer science, which offers better job prospects.

Dear John,

You have asked me for my advice concerning whether you should study history or computer science at university, and I will try to make some useful suggestions.

You must keep in mind that, above all, your university training is a preparation for your future career. Therefore, your first consideration should be to study a subject which will best equip you to earn a living. There is no doubt that the field of computers offers far job opportunities than history.

Besides, we are now in the age of the high - technology revolution. For the foreseeable future, not only will it be necessary for everyone to be computer - literate, it will also be necessary for them to be equipped with computer skills merely to earn a living! History, I’m afraid, however fascinating it may be, offers few career prospects.

Of course, you don’t have to devote all your time at university to studying computers and nothing else. On the contrary, I would recommend that you keep up your reading of history in your spare time. That way, you will find that your leisure hours are enriched while you prepare yourself for a worthwhile career in computers.

Yours sincerely,

James