Undecided about career path.

Viken

Hello Boardies.

What advise would you give to an 18 year old regarding college courses/what to do after the Leaving Cert exam? More specifically, an 18 year old with so many fluctuating interests that he can't pick which area he wants to do further studies in.

A year out of the education mill seems daunting because 1. It seems as if he might be "left behind" somehow, as the rest of his year group moves on to college, work etc
and 2. He feels that even another 365 days to help him decide might not be enough. Plus it seems like a bit of a time-waster.

I'm going to stop writing in the third-person now Anyway, I'm a bit daunted by the range of available courses. I'd rather not repeat the LC, for mostly the same reasons I gave regarding a year out.

To clarify, I actually want to go to college, just can't decide on a course. What's the best way to choose? Or can someone convince me that a year off is helpful? I can't seem to come to a decision based on my interests, and I get the impression that you don't know whether or not a course suits you until you've experienced it yourself. What about an Arts course, anyone have an opinion on that? Seems as if that leaves science courses out to dry, and narrows your college selection greatly if you want to include computers.

As I said, my interests "fluctuate", as in one day I love history, the next day physics, the next day writing, the next day computers...and so on. It feels like most of us students are too young/immature to be picking a career, as we're still growing as people and haven't really established where our interests/passions really lie. Or maybe I'm just a daydreaming airhead. That's more likely.

Any and all advice would be appreciated, whether from fellow students or wise old crones :pac: I'm more looking for tips on narrowing down courses and eventually picking one out rather than anything specific to myself, or maybe someone can alter my mindset entirely away from college!

Thanks and thanks again,
Kevin.

pacquiao

What are you good at?

realgirl

Trying to pick exactly the right course when you aren't sure what to choose is too much pressure, just go for something you think you would enjoy and you are good at. Realistically you are very likely to change career a few times anyway. I have friends in their 30s who have got 2-3 different qualifications already between full and part-time courses. Not necessarily a good idea to wait another year to decide as you may be no more sure by then anyway. Good luck.

Togepi

I was in your shoes las year and now I'm back repeating even though I got my course - I don't recommend it! Maybe consider doing arts/science/business as they're all fairly broad degrees. Look into each of them and see if any of them sound like something you'd love to study. If you can, talk to a good career guidance person. I did this last year and it was the best thing I ever did, but unfortunately I had left it too late, so I couldn't change my CAO.

Viken

What are you good at?

I'm doing all 7 subjects at higher level in school.
-Languages are fun, but I've never really put any effort into Irish or German. I like the creative writing in English, and am beginning to find an interest in poetry/the other aspects of the course.
-I've started to warm to physics this year, particularly the modern section of the course.
-History is also enjoyable, but that's probably something to do with my love of reading. Certain areas of the course appeal more than others.
-Maths is interesting. From what I've heard of maths courses, however, they seem to be as abstract as they were at secondary school level. Not good.
-I picked DCG because my dad used to teach it. I regret that now, because the marking on the project is so unpredictable. I enjoy the logical thinking behind it, though.

It's not really a focused subject selection. Nor can I say definitively which is my favourite. I perform decently in them all without killing myself working. It seems that the more effort I put into a subject, the more I like it.

Outside of school, I like computers, reading, a bit of sport and playing music.

As you can see, I'm the indecisive airhead I make myself out to be:rolleyes:

Thanks for the response.

EDIT:

I was in your shoes last year and now I'm back repeating even though I got my course - I don't recommend it! Maybe consider doing arts/science/business as they're all fairly broad degrees. Look into each of them and see if any of them sound like something you'd love to study. If you can, talk to a good career guidance person. I did this last year and it was the best thing I ever did, but unfortunately I had left it too late, so I couldn't change my CAO.

Fair enough. I might try and get in contact with a good career guidance person, then. They'll have a hard job with me, however!
Out of curiosity, why wouldn't you recommend repeating?
Cheers.

Also thanks to Realgirl for the insight.

wexie

Viken wrote: »

A year out of the education mill seems daunting because

1. It seems as if he might be "left behind" somehow, as the rest of his year group moves on to college, work etc.

So? Imagine the things you could learn by travelling around for a year. The experiences you'll never be able to convey to people that have gone from LC to college. Remember, a lot of those will go from college to work, mortage, wife kids. etc etc. Unless you have some reason to believe you might not be able to make new friends after taking out a year (2 years?) I don't see this as much of an argument.

2. He feels that even another 365 days to help him decide might not be enough. Plus it seems like a bit of a time-waster.

Is that 365 days in your current climate/surroundings/perspective? Believe me, time takes on an entirely different dimension diving of the east coast of Africa or trekking through the jungles of Borneo to go see the Orangutans. Does wonders for your perspective as well.

Or can someone convince me that a year off is helpful? I can't seem to come to a decision based on my interests, and I get the impression that you don't know whether or not a course suits you until you've experienced it yourself.

To me, if you have the chance to take a year off to get yourself sorted I'd take it with both hands. However, I would stress you try to not just bum around, taking a year off to hang around home will be a waste of time. Taking a year off to figure out what it is you might want to do could be a very valuable investment. Even if all you get out of it is knowing what you DONT want to do.

You'll have just taken a year so you'll be 19 instead of 18.....so you could be 23 with a degree under your belt (22 even). Still pretty young in the grand scheme of things but chances are you'll be a lot more mature than some of your contemporaries.

anyways, just my 2 cents. Hope you work it out

Togepi

If you like writing, then remember that no matter what you do, you can always write about it - either by writing articles or writing a blog. You wouldn't even have to write on your chosen area. That's the way I think about it anyway, seeing as I've always loved writing but I don't plan on doing English in college.

I don't recommend repeating unless you actually need to for points, which I probably won't. Obviously if you need higher points, go for it, but don't just do it because you don't know what you want to do!

Talking to the career guidance teacher really helped me out, but don't go paying a whole load to talk to someone for an hour either because you can't be guaranteed that they'll actually be any good!

QueenOfLeon

Is there any career or area of work you can see yourself enjoying? Would you like something that involves working with people, travelling, teaching, having a position in a business?

Picking a career shouldn't be entirely based on your like/dislike of LC subjects. You might like languages, but can you see yourself working with an international company using these languages, teaching the language, working as a translator etc? Same with history, can you see yourself enjoying it for another 4 years in college and even after that?

I completely agree that it is a lot to expect a 17/18 year old to be able to pick a course or career, but also remember that what you do in college isn't going to determine the rest of your life. Plenty of people change courses or go on to do postgrads in another direction because they've changed their minds on what they picked originally. Doing a broad degree like Arts or Science will give you a better idea of what you really like and you can go on to further qualifications after the first degree if you decide on something specific.

I personally think taking a year out is better than rushing into a college course just for the sake of getting away to college. I know people who've felt like they're now stuck in a course they don't like, but can't leave because they feel like they're costing their parents money and all that. Better to be a bit more sure at the start!

If you were taking a year out though, make sure you're not left sitting at home doing nothing. Getting a job probably won't be easy, you could try do a FETAC course or PLC in an area of interest. Something I'd highly recommend would be getting work experience in a variety of different work settings (its what confirmed my course choice for me!), it might help to eliminate or confirm some choices for you

victoria.eliza

^This is basically me right now.

I'm doing the Leaving Cert. at the moment and am posed to do fairly well, but I don't have any idea whatsoever of what I want to do in the future. No course appeals to me absolutely, though there are parts of many I find interesting, and I'm at a loss of what to do.

My parents want me to take a year out, but for the same reasons as the OP I just don't see the appeal. I know that this time a year from now I will be in the same boat, undecided about a course.

I want to go to college - not just for the social life; I actually quite enjoy learning - and I'll work at any course I do. I'd just like to enjoy it, also.

My subjects for Leaving Cert. aren't of much help either; I'm in a tiny, rural Gaeltacht school and there was very little subject choice when it came time to choose. I do equally well in four subjects: Irish, English, Biology, and Home Economics. But I don't especially like any of those, with the exception of English. And even then it's not so much 'English: The Subject' I like as it is reading and creative writing.

I'm really at a loss, and I'm running out of time. Any suggestions?

victoria.eliza

Viken wrote: »

Languages are fun, but I've never really put any effort into Irish or German. I like the creative writing in English, and am beginning to find an interest in poetry/the other aspects of the course.

Regarding Creative Writing, have you considered this course?

It's a general Arts degree with the added specialisation of creative writing. The points are high enough in comparison to other Arts courses, purely because of the demand, but they're not *ridiculously* high like some others.

I've considered it, truthfully I still am, but the Arts selection at NUIG doesn't appeal to me, personally.

djpbarry

victoria.eliza wrote: »

^This is basically me right now.

I'm doing the Leaving Cert. at the moment and am posed to do fairly well, but I don't have any idea whatsoever of what I want to do in the future. No course appeals to me absolutely, though there are parts of many I find interesting, and I'm at a loss of what to do.

To be honest, I think this describes an awful lot of leaving cert students. It’s certainly very similar to the mindset I had when I was completing my CAO form. In the end, I basically eliminated everything I was sure I didn’t want to do and then investigated what was involved in those that were left. I still wasn’t entirely sure what I wanted to do, so I ended up plumping for a relatively broad topic rather than something more specialised.

Things worked out fairly well and I can definitely say that my degree provided a very solid basis to get me where I am now, even though I’m working in a very different field to that which I studied.

That said, I really didn’t enjoy university. I liked the course – more and more as I went through it – but I really didn’t enjoy the overall experience and I very nearly dropped out at the end of my first year.

victoria.eliza wrote: »

I'm really at a loss, and I'm running out of time. Any suggestions?

The first thing I would suggest is relax and don’t be worrying yourself – contrary to what you may be told about the CAO form, it’s not the most important piece of paperwork you’ll ever complete. Not even close. And remember – you’re certainly not alone.

Trying to decide what you want to do for the rest of your life is next to impossible, no matter what age you are – you have no idea what’s around the corner, so all you can do is make the best of your present situation and see where that takes you. That said, you do have to think about your future prospects (in precisely the same way you did when you chose your leaving cert subjects), so my advice would be this: think about what it is you would like to be doing on a day-to-day basis and aim for a course that is most likely to lead you down that path.

But, you need to be realistic at the same time. For example, if you decide you want to be a writer, for example, you have to keep in mind that will likely appeal to a lot of other people too, so competition for jobs will be pretty fierce. So it’s all about striking a balance between finding something you’ll enjoy and finding something that’s likely to be of benefit to you in the long run.

But, the most important thing to remember is that, at the end of the day, if you end up choosing a course that doesn't quite work as you had hoped, it's not the end of the world - there are always options.

maisiedaisy

djpbarry wrote: »

But, the most important thing to remember is that, at the end of the day, if you end up choosing a course that doesn't quite work as you had hoped, it's not the end of the world - there are always options.

I can completely agree with that-I'm at the end of my second year in college, and filled out the CAO again this year-all going to plan, I'm heading for 1st year yet again in September. What I'll be studying has yet to be decided though!

THe best advice I can give when looking at college courses is find the module descriptions or book of modules. That will tell you exactly was modules you will be studying, what they involve, and how they're marked. You might have to do a bit of searching for it, and some smaller colleges don't publish that info online, you may have to email them.

Be wary of going for something general, like arts or a broad sciences course. I went with arts, because I didn't know what I wanted to do, and the lack of direction with it meant I had absolutely no motivation.

And, I think there is no harm in taking a year out. Or even just do a year long PLC in something you enjoy. A year will make an awful lot of difference in how you make a decision; at least that's what I've found when I'm doing the CAO this time round. I wouldn't wrry about being left behind, once you start college people all go different directions, and your set of friends will have changed dramatically in the space of 12 months even if you do go straight to college.

victoria.eliza

Thank you both for your advice; it's very helpful to be reminded that whichever course I choose is not actually the "be all and end all" of my life.

I guess it's hard sometimes to remember that, especially when my closest friends have all such set notions of where they see themselves in ten years time. One of my friends wants nothing more than to become a doctor, another a teacher, and so on and so forth. It's awful to be the only one undecided.

That said, I am only seventeen years old and will be for most of the first year of college; I have time. I'm going to try to relax a little, concentrate a little more on my studies and leave the course-search by the wayside for a little while. Perhaps when I return my focus to it in a couple of weeks, lightning will have struck.

And even if it doesn't strike and I'm still undecided when the change of mind rolls around, I'll manage. While I'm still not convinced that taking a year out is the best path for me, it is an option that I have, and one that I'll seriously consider if nothing changes.

I do indeed have options - plenty of them. Thank you both for reminding me of that

mockshelp

I'm currently on a year out and I don't like it for exactly the same reasons you gave in your opening post! Well I went to college and didn't like the course (Arts in UCD - I didn't really like it, didn't know what jobs I'd get out of it, don't really want to be a teacher so lacked motivation) and dropped out and now reapplying to CAO and I still don't know really. (I think I'll just go back to what I thought I should've done - one of the science degrees.) So yes don't bother with a year out. It is a waste of time. Taking a year out will only confuse you even more. Try to make a decision. Narrow down a list as much as you can and pick a course.

If you don't like it you can dropout early i.e before 1st October and reapply next year with no extra fee to pay (In UCD if you dropout before 1st October they refund you the registration fees and you just have to pay the registration fees again for next year so you don't lose anything basically. I had a whole free month in UCD)

You will feel more pressure to make the right decision after a year out. Like I feel more pressured to make the right course decision this time because it wouldn't look good dropping out for a 2nd time! SO basically don't take a year out, you'll be no better off, no wiser, feel crap, feel more pressure to make the right decision after the year out etc. More negatives than positives to a year out. Don't do it! It's too long too.

EDIT: I'm doing a PLC course in business administration and don't like it. When I joined and told the others there my Leaving Cert points they looked in amazement at me and paused before saying "why are you doing this course?" "why aren't you in college?" They thought I was mad! So then I told them I was and dropped out etc....and they calmed down! The people there are just using it to get an extra 50 CAO points up to the max of 400. I got over 400 so I won't get any extra points from doing this course. I just had to do something with my year out. I wasn't expecting a year out. (dropped out of college unexpectantly) I had nothing planned or lined up.

Basically this year is like a waste year - I feel as though why am I wasting my time with this course when I realize it doesn't interest me. But I guess the PLC course I'm doing is better than having nothing to do. I was lucky to get on to the PLC course as they stop accepting new applicants around the start of October. So better not complain! It could have been worse! Will start college next September to do a science degree and everything I'm unhappy about (the year out - waste of time) will be forgotten about.

I'm the one who's on a year out so I know what's its like - not great! So would advise you not to do it.You still have time to decide on a course - up to 1st of July for change of mind. That's 3 months. Try to decide. You don't need another 12 months after that to decide. You'll be more confused about courses and hate seeing everyone else in college basically...

Only take a year out if you have planned out well what to do with your whole year out. If you plan your year out and feel you will get benefit from it then its a good idea. If you don't plan it you'll hate it, get nothing out of it and feel like it's a waste of time like me!

mockshelp

My interests fluctuate too. I want to get a degree that will be used to get a job/related to my degree. I want to get a useful degree. I saw videos before asking employers what they look for in candidates and they talk about the skills needed and how they can apply their skills to the job in question. Employers are looking for: the right person with the right skills for the job. A few professions need professional qualifications (e.g. law, accountancy, medicine) but most jobs just require "a degree in any discipline" and I think science degrees would give you the most skills.

e.g. Go to Gradireland.com: http://gradireland.com/careers-advice/jobs-with-your-degree
It will educate you! It educated me... It says that:

Arts degrees - few directly related career options other than teaching. Yes depending on which subjects you pick you would get different skills e.g. english - critical thinking, geography - practical skills etc. which could be of benefit to you depending on the job you are applying for.

Business degrees - Communication and team work skills. (but to be honest you'd get these skills from arts degrees and science degrees as well)

Science degrees - e.g. If you do earth science - lab skills, field skills, communication skills, computer skills, critical thinking, problem solving, communication and team work skills.

I think science degrees give you all the skills to do any job. They give you all the skills business and arts degrees do + more (lab skills, practical skills like field work). Science degrees are considered "numerate" degrees so you can do careers in business and finance too. But if you have no interest in science don’t do it. Pick something you like and think you will be able to do. Because it is 3-4 years of study after all!

Arts degrees are good DEPENDING on which subjects you pick e.g. if you pick economics you would have business careers open too. Because it is also a "numerate" discipline. But with most arts subjects teaching is the only career directly related to a lot of the subjects.

Business degrees speak for itself - if you want a job related to business - its a related degree. Some jobs may actually require graduates in a certain business discipline e.g. finance. But a lot are open to "graduates of any discipline".

So choose carefully basically.

Also I agree with what other people say here. People change careers in their life. There's people in their 30s going back to college. Whatever you choose doesn't determine the rest of your life. Don't worry! There's no such thing as "a job for life" in this 21st century!!

Viken

I've pretty much decided against doing a specific degree...so it'll probably be Arts, General Science or a year out.

A few other concerns have popped into my head recently, however.

• If I do pick a "broad" degree, then I'll also face the dilemma of which college to choose from [if the range of subjects available doesn't decide me]. Any pointers? If I pick science should the level of funding a college receives be a big factor? Are smaller/bigger colleges nicer? Which is the best college for Arts courses [subject-choice aside]?

• What are some good ways to fill up a year out? PLC courses...part-time work...travelling?

Thanks for the very helpful replies, it's all well appreciated.

mockshelp

It depends on what you like – big college or small college? I went to UCD. I was doing Arts there. I didn't know anyone apart from a few from my school but I wasn't that friendly with them so I was basically on my own. I found UCD impersonal - the lecture halls are massive etc. I made the effort to talk to people in lectures and tutorials and made friends but if I didn't make an effort I would be on my own. I know of friends who went to Maynooth and made friends there - in smaller colleges it definitely is easier to make friends as there's more a community feel.

I dropped out because I didn't like the subjects I was doing, didn't know what job I'd get from it, didn't like impersonal feel of UCD.

I'm filling up my year out with a PLC course and basically I cannot wait until this year out is OVER. I hate being one of the few from my school that isn't it college. I hate seeing everyone else there. Don't underestimate how long a year out is. I'm nearly sick of the year out now. I can't wait to get to college. I'll be nearly 20 starting college now. If you do a great Leaving Cert you’re expected to go to college.

Be careful with your subject choice if you choose Arts because on the Irish Independent a while back they did a survey and found it was the Arts graduates had the highest level of unemployment. If doing Arts you pick 3-4 subjects to study in 1st year and then in 2nd year you drop back to 2 and they are the 2 subjects you do for your degree. What subjects would you do if you do Arts? A lot of the subjects all you can do realistically that's related to the degree is teaching - philosophy, sociology for example. Other subjects are more useful - economics for example - it's a numerate discipline so jobs that require numeracy you'd have the skills required for them if done economics.

Maynooth has the largest Arts course. You can lookup the different universities online and basically the prospectus of each college you can find online.

Science, business areas are safer bets imo. Once you get an undergraduate degree you can do a masters degree. And that's what counts! Just do a broad undergraduate degree in an area of interest and then you can do a masters degree after it in something more specific. You can always do a masters afterwards that's why a year out is a waste of time because after you do a broad degree you can do a masters afterwards. You just need to know what broad area you want to study for your undergraduate degree.

If you search this forum e.g. search "commerce" or "arts" or a specific science degree you would easily find people that are currently in college and can tell you more about the degrees they are doing that you are interested in. There's thousands of posts!

I'm applying for science in NUIG. I heard its a good course. It's starts off broad but you get to try out different subjects and narrow it down each year until you eventually specialize in 4th year. It's great you don't have to specialize until 4th year because by then you will know what the economy is like and you'd know which disciplines the jobs are in!

UCD is supposedly better for science than Trinity. But I know people who do science in Trinity and really like it. All are good. The reason I like the science degree in Galway is becuase you get the try out the different disciplines in each year and then have a better idea of which ones you want to specialize in. In Trinity the first 2 years are just general science and then you have to decide what to specialize in 3rd year without ever having tried out the different disciplines.

djpbarry

mockshelp wrote: »

Don't underestimate how long a year out is. I'm nearly sick of the year out now. I can't wait to get to college. I'll be nearly 20 starting college now.

That doesn’t really matter, in the grand scheme of things. I know people in their early thirties who have only just obtained degrees.

mockshelp wrote: »

Science, business areas are safer bets imo.

I wouldn’t agree with that at all. There are a lot of business graduates out there already and, as such, I really don’t see how a business degree is going to set anyone apart. I would suggest that science degrees are held in higher regard than business degrees.

mockshelp wrote: »

Once you get an undergraduate degree you can do a masters degree. And that's what counts!

Again, I disagree – a masters is not necessarily going to make someone more employable.

mockshelp wrote: »

I'm applying for science in NUIG. I heard its a good course. It's starts off broad but you get to try out different subjects and narrow it down each year until you eventually specialize in 4th year. It's great you don't have to specialize until 4th year because by then you will know what the economy is like and you'd know which disciplines the jobs are in!

You really are thinking far too much about “where the jobs are” rather than “what do I want to do?”. There’s no point specialising in a particular science just because there happen to be a few jobs in that area at a particular point in time, because 5 years down the line, things may be very different.

mockshelp wrote: »

The reason I like the science degree in Galway is becuase you get the try out the different disciplines in each year and then have a better idea of which ones you want to specialize in.

I’m pretty sure it works the same way in UCD.

Noelly

I was in your position last year, absolutely no idea what I wanted to do, changing my mind every couple of days about what I wanted to do. In the end, I just put down courses that I figured I'd be good at.

CAO day rolls around and I end up with a Science degree in Maynooth. 8 months later, I'm back home after dropping out because I didn't like the course.

I've reapplied to the CAO, but I still have no idea what I want to do.. So basically don't just throw down courses you think you'd be good at like I did, choose things you'll actually enjoy to study because more than likely you'll be stuck with it for the rest of your life!

golden lane

Viken wrote: »

I've pretty much decided against doing a specific degree...so it'll probably be Arts, General Science or a year out.

A few other concerns have popped into my head recently, however.

• If I do pick a "broad" degree, then I'll also face the dilemma of which college to choose from [if the range of subjects available doesn't decide me]. Any pointers? If I pick science should the level of funding a college receives be a big factor? Are smaller/bigger colleges nicer? Which is the best college for Arts courses [subject-choice aside]?

• What are some good ways to fill up a year out? PLC courses...part-time work...travelling?

Thanks for the very helpful replies, it's all well appreciated.

contrary to what most students think...........the only education that matters........is the knowledge to earn enough from a decent job......

europe is overflowing with useless degrees.....

that is why people come from asia and get the good jobs.....

djpbarry

Noelly wrote: »

I've reapplied to the CAO, but I still have no idea what I want to do..

So why apply?

Noelly wrote: »

...choose things you'll actually enjoy to study because more than likely you'll be stuck with it for the rest of your life!

No you won't - lots of people work in jobs completely unrelated to their degrees.

fizzyorange

Don't worry, I'm pretty sure the majority of sixth years have felt like this and many of them still do. I'm a sixth year myself, after playing around with many possibilities of courses I would like to do I decided on the one that would make me the happiest, but most people still don't know. After all we are all only 17/18.

I'd recommend not just throwing down anything the way some people do. It means if you get a course offer and after a few weeks you didn't like it and dropped out you will not get anymore grants if you apply for another level 8 the following year.

A year out wouldn't be the end of the world. You could travel, volunteer, work. You could do a PLC in an area you think you might like. I think if you are really unsure you'd be better off spending another year trying to figure it out than waste money on a course you don't think you'll enjoy.

I hope the leaving cert goes well for you.

danish pasterys

Ok heres the situation im in any advice be appriciated im 23 looking to do a degree next year to have ot for when we come out if this recession but im on two minds on which course

Since 2010 iv done two fetac courses one did involve internet ie webpage development html, and found it ok bit boring but i was younger then im def more mature career focused now. I also did a social studies course quiet enjoyed it. Now do i do a degree in social studies or computer science? Both will be in itb not a uni

I like the taught of cs cause its booming but i really dono how ill fare out in it i have the work ethic but dono if that will be enough as i didnt do leaving cert maths so im weary of that. I have a slight more interest in social studies but im very apprehensive due to some feedback about jobs and career prospects. So yeah im wondering would i survive in the cs degree im just a casual computer user not a comp geek but ill sure work hard with my head in the books.

Is it the type of course u need to have a major interest in to cope or would you get by just puttin in the effort??? Thinking of doin a fas course in java to give me an insight before i take the plunge into a 3yr degree