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By Mary Lucey – Founder of Career Ahead
The information below is based on feedback from students who made incorrect CAO course choices resulting in them dropping out of their college course.
• Follow Genuine Interests.
Students should not base course choices on anticipated exams results. They should base them on what they love to do.
It sounds remarkably simple, but if a student selects a course based on a subject/topic/hobby they love, ie History, Music, Football, Art, Social Media, Maths etc, this means, in college, they will really engage with the course material and find it very stimulating.
They will be eager to get involved in course related extracurricular activities and networking events, which play an enormous part in progressing to employment/further studies when college is over.
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• Do not confuse loving a subject in school with loving the teacher!
Sometimes, in Secondary School, a student is assigned a very engaging teacher for a particular subject.
The teacher ensures classes are interesting, stimulating, and positive. At times, a student selects a CAO course based on this positive association with the teacher, rather than their genuine interest in the subject area.
• Look beyond a course title.
College course titles can be misleading. Do not assume it will do as it says on the tin. At times, colleges use course titles that sound attractive to students, so it is vital to delve into the focus and content of the course to ensure it will be suitable.
• When a student has picked a course, look at all course details.
At this stage, research is vital to ensure as much information and insight as possible is gathered about courses – both positive and negative.
Go through each module for each semester, and each year. Check out if there is a work placement element. Check out if students can study abroad. Feel free to contact colleges with queries.
• 20 CAO choices.
There are 10 level 8 CAO choices and 10 Level 6/7 choices – as many as possible should be completed to cover every eventuality.
While a student will have preferred options; nobody can the future; so, a plan B, C, D strategy should be incorporated when finalising the CAO application form. However, students should not list any course that they would not be happy and willing to accept if offered.
• Level 6/7 Options.
Students often only concentrate on completing the level 8 honours degree course choice options, yet by doing so they are not maximising their options.
It is important to realise a level 7 ordinary degree can lead to a level 8 honours degree, with lower CAO entry points.
• Do not allow others to influence course choices;
Friends, family, etc, they may have the best of intentions, but the student needs to take responsibility and research and select the course they want to study.
• Do not select a course because of anticipated status/salary levels.
Students should not select courses because of anticipated status and/or salary levels. Nothing makes a student more miserable then being on a course they do not like and in a lot of cases, when they qualify, they retrain or move into another career they are passionate about.
• Students should look at all college options
An honours degree is a level 8 degree, whether obtained from a University or Technological University (Institute of Technology).
At times, students base their decisions on the perceived status of a college rather than the suitability of a course. Students should also consider the array of apprenticeships available that equate to a level 7 or level 8 degree.
• Do not allow a university or college location to determine course choice.
Some students want to go to Limerick, for example, so select a range of unrelated courses in Limerick colleges rather than related courses across several colleges.
• Will the student be employable?
On completion of the course, the student needs to consider whether they will be employable, or will further studies be required?
This is highly relevant when budgeting for college courses. Will four years turn in to six years to enable the student to secure a paid position.
• What is the budget?
Students need to be realistic when making their choices and tailor their course location to suit their own and their family’s budget. In addition to college fees, accommodation, travel, food, etc must all be considered. If students are working part-time to support themselves, location of college may be highly relevant to ensure they can continue in their work position.
• Include a local college/technological University or IOT in your choices at some level.
Some students cannot settle away from home and it may be possible to negotiate a change of course (if a student has sufficient points) to a local college after the first semester or the first year for example if listed on the CAO form. Please note, this is completely based on individual college’s policies and procedures.
• Cannot decide on a course?
Students should not select a generic course for the sake of going to college. They should look at the wonderful options in FET (PLC), Apprenticeships or work for a year until they are in a better position to make decisions. When the student is ready to progress to a third level college – they can then do so.
• Mary Lucey may be contacted at MaryLucey@careerahead.ie 0879338941 www.careerahead.ie
