The famous saying of “find something you love to do, and you’ll never have to work a day in your life”, is the ultimate goal for students as they embark on trying to identify what they should do after post-primary school. But it is very common to not know what it is you want to do. IT Sligo has provided some top tips to follow.
1. Natural talent
Identify your natural talent and passion. Are you creative, good with numbers, have good personal skills, are you caring, a problem solver? Try to choose a passion over a profession and think longer term about the course of study.
2. Under pressure
Don’t be influenced or pressured by friends and peers. Follow your own path. It is very common to make lifelong friendships while at college. To parents, try to be a good chairperson, impartial and objective, tactful, approachable, and informed.
3. Seek guidance
Engage with a guidance counsellor about all your options. He/she has a wealth of knowledge, will know the various pathways available to students, and is trained to help guide students choose the right course for them.
4. Know your options
Take the time to research the options available based on the interests you have identified. Websites such as careersportal.ie, qualifax.ie, and cao.ie can be used to narrow options before moving to the college website (itsligo.ie/CAO ) and prospectus (itsligo.ie/prospectus ) to look at the detail of each course.
5. Alternative pathways
There is never just one way to accomplish your goals. If you dream of a career in a certain profession, there may be many alternative routes to get there. For example, IT Sligo’s health science programmes have routes into allied health professions such as physiotherapy, radiography, and occupational therapy. A number of honours degree programmes at IT Sligo meet Teaching Council subject requirements so students can use it as a stepping stone to a career in teaching.
6. Added value
Look out for added value in a qualification such as professional accreditation, which is a kitemark of quality that demonstrates a programme meets or exceeds standards developed by experts in the profession. Many courses at IT Sligo offer this, together with real-life work experience, which helps graduates stand out from the crowd and enjoy increased employability.
7. Common entry
It is not always easy to know exactly what area to study. It is even more difficult to decide what area to specialise in. That is why flexible common entry programmes are so popular. Common entry allows students to understand where their true passion lies. Students study a broad range of subjects before choosing what area to specialise in. IT Sligo has common entry built in to many programmes across engineering, computing, science, and business.
IT Sligo will host a CAO information evening on Thursday January 27 where you can get all your questions answered. Visit itsligo.ie/openday for more information and to look back on the virtual open evening. Parents can learn how to support their children with the CAO process by checking out the recently launched parents' guide that can be found at www.itsligo.ie/parent
