leaving school early?

LegacyUser

Ok, i want to leave school. I'm in fourth year but i really, really hate school. however, i really like cars and mechanics and would like to be a mechanic. But, i also like computers and i'd also really like to work in the games industry. i was talking to someone who works in the games industry and he said that it be just about impossible to get a job in it without a degree of some sort.

i just want to know is that true? are there any courses i can do that, should i leave school, would allow me to do my leaving cert and go to college, obviously without having to go back to school when i'm like 20 or something? ive tried searching around for answers but i couldnt find anything, so if someone could give me a bit of help on the subject it'd be great.
thanks.
Luda

Micheal Wittman

Hi Luda

I have a friend who was in a similar situation to you. He left school after the JC in 5th year, went, and did a PLC coarse. He knows quite a lot about Pcs, especially programming so he whizzed the course easily.

He's going on to do programming or something now in Dundalk.I think, He could have also went to DCU or Mynooth (and this is without even doing the LC, He also got an awful JC) He did Fetac level 1, maybe level 2 - I cant remember at the moment. He told me that that is the equivalent of 350 points at most that he can get.

He's being accessed on his end of year work and depending on how well he does he will be going to a coarse with the points he's earned.

Anyway, he wants to do the new "Computer Games programming Degree" in Dundalk IT this year but he was turned down as it has been moved to next year’s coarse list. Although not definite they say it will hopefully be up and running next year.

However, he is not waiting and just going to take another course. However, by the time, you finish any PLC course the Gaming Degree course may be up and running so it may be worth a try. Give them a ring and talk to them.

I really recommend you talk to a guidance councilor, as they will give you the best advice. That is how my friend got the place in the PLC course.

Hope this helps,

Sarky

Why not find the local Fas office and have a chat with someone there? They do quite a few courses to train folks up in the basics of things like mechanics and computers.

Do remember though, that going through school and college will get you more qualifications. If you go for a job now, you'll almost certainly start somewhere below the bottom rung, and it'll take a lot of hard work to improve your lot. I doubt you could start your own garage without a mechanics diploma or cert at the very least.

On the other hand, starting at the bottom will furnish you with more practical knowledge and experience than you'll ever get in the classroom/lecture hall...

Seraphina

jesus everyone hates school. dont be so childish just bloody well do it. you'll have to do alot of things in life that you wont like, you might as well get used to it.

yeah loads of people have made it grand after leaving school early. but i bet alot more haven't. whatever you do you'll be much better off with a completed education behind you. you dont even need to do well in the leaving if you have a fas course or apprentiship.. (sp?) organised.

acous

I left school at 15 after my JC... I'm doing well atm but I've been lucky enough. There's lots of educational opportunities available without doing the LC, but I would seriously consider what you're doing. Make sure it's really school you hate and that you're not just running away.

"jesus everyone hates school. dont be so childish just bloody well do it."

This offends me. It's possible that other people might hate school a little more than you do. It would be nice if you could show some sensitivity and not insult someone over something you clearly have a limited understanding of.

Dizz

jesus everyone hates school. dont be so childish just bloody well do it.

Hear hear! Yea Seraphina says it well. My advice - stick with it - the things that are worth doing are never ever the easiest. Ur in 4th year - dats 2 more years wait it out and when you have some qualification under your belt (JC is bull****) then make a decision. Yea without a degree and **** hot programming & maths skills it's difficult to get into games programming.

would allow me to do my leaving cert and go to college

Ya mean in parallel - very much doubt it for most degree courses, maybe what you are thinking of there is the mechanic apprenticeship where you work during the day and go to school at night?

Dizz

@seraphina - apprenticeship hee hee

cormie

I'm 20. I hated school too. I never really bothered with it, I was late every day and I didn't study at all for the LC. I was there for the craic;) haha.

I knew from the start that school would have no impact on what I actually wanted to do. But I thought it would be best to get my leaving cert and then get on with my life.

I'm an apprentice carpenter now, will be 2nd year in september. Then 3 more years and I'll be qualified.


I've always had a business mind. I used to import mp3 players in school and sell them. I also used to sell CD's. School was great for cash.

I own poker.ie now and hopefully it will kick off soon enough.

Basically, you can get on without the LC but if anything happens, it's handy to have it. I mean come on, you're in 4th year (going into 4th or 5th?) if you are going into 4th skip it! I did. The sooner I was out of that place the better.

You've been schooled since you were 5, your 2 years away from finishing. If you leave now the previous 12 or so years would have been a total waste. Do another 2 and get what you spent the 12 years there for. Then you'll be about 18. Still young enough to do what you want.
Good luck.

BuffyBot

Seraphina wrote:

jesus everyone hates school. dont be so childish just bloody well do it. you'll have to do alot of things in life that you wont like, you might as well get used to it.

yeah loads of people have made it grand after leaving school early. but i bet alot more haven't. whatever you do you'll be much better off with a completed education behind you. you dont even need to do well in the leaving if you have a fas course or apprentiship.. (sp?) organised.

Indeed. As someone else pointed out you are almost at the end of the educational cycle anyway. Sometimes you just have to buckle down and do things you don't like.

Beruthiel

Luda wrote:

Ok, i want to leave school. I'm in fourth year but i really, really hate school

who doesn't/didn't?!

so for the sake of a few years more, you are willing to make your next 60 plus years all the more difficult by not getting a proper education? do you seriously think it's worth it?
leave in haste, repent at leisure...

seamus

As everyone else says.

The vast majority of students at one time or another think about leaving school early. It's horrible, really, really horrible. Personally, I feel that 6 years in the Irish system is too long. But you have two years left, and it's not as if you're running out of time. By the time you've actually finished school, you'll still only be what, 18? Still a child.

Don't be in such a hurry to grow up. What is another two years in school? Sure, you may be fine without your leaving cert, and you may do well for yourself, but there's a much higher chance that you may not. You have all the time in the world. There's no need to take shortcuts.

tk123

Like the others said - stay in school!! Look Luda - you may hate it now but it'll be worth it in the end. Have you had any summer jobs cos working can be a bit crap - crap hours, crap pay omg and the bills!!! You're going to be working for 40+ years so take your 2 years in school and enjoy your holidays and being carefree...omg I sound so old - i'm only 26!!!