Did you make the right choice with regards to college?

JJayoo

Followed the girl I was dating to Galway, big mistake

Mysteriouschic

When I first filled in my cao I wasn't really sure what to put on my cao although I had an idea of the area between IT/Business but didn't want a full computer or full business course and I couldn't decide what I actually wanted to do . The first time I only focused on Business Information Systems courses messed up in my exams and repeated did better. I also put more though into my cao the second time and filled it out properly and applied for IT Management and general business courses.

The course I ended up in was the IT Management. Even though I'd put this course down I hadn't really looked into the course well but it seemed like a good enough course which has both IT and business which was good except it hasn't got work experience. I do prefer the business modules so apart from the lectures to some of the other modules but then I also enjoyed web design. I guess it'll open doors on both the IT and business side I'm still not fully sure what career I want to head into afterwards.

cuana

Nope! in fact two wrong choices so I put education aside! With my ambitious nature, hard work & I'm sure a little luck along the way, I've gained valuable skills & continually promoted throughout my career thus far. I eventually went back to College at 26 and once again made the WRONG CHOICE (though this time I finished the course!)

I'm 31 now! I recently quit my old job/career & taken up a new job in a completely different area :eek:

I wouldn't change a thing

No. Never want to work on my degree field again. So three years study for two years of work.

playedalive

Canard wrote: »

I think you are future me. :P I'm finishing up my first year of studying languages. I loved the idea of it, but yeah, literature has sort of ruined it for me and I hate how seriously the lecturers take it, as if any employer will ever care that it was studied. :rolleyes: For months I had those business + language courses on my CAO and then one day I just took them all off for pure languages. I didn't like business enough, nor did I have the innovative mind that I'd imagine is required, but I still wish I'd done them I think. Though I agree with you on how it's never a chore to study them, I don't feel like I've studied at all this year because I really enjoy it, as does everyone else in my course.

Yeah what LCers don't really get (voice of experience) is that language courses are, in reality, literature courses. My first year was really deceiving. At the start, we had about 5 hours of language classes (approx) per week. Then, we had literature and civilisation classes. Then, from second year, it was just 3 hours of languages and 4 hours of literature per week. At the start, it was not a big problem. But, towards the end, I got really disilusioned with the course. The lecturers expect you to engage with the literature and analyse it to death. At the same time, I did learn great skills from it and my languages totally improved.

I don't regret my degree, because, realistically, I wouldn't have chosen anything different at the age of 18. I did business in school and liked it (got an A2 in the Leaving Cert), but, at that time, I wasn't passionate about it.

If I don't get any place on a graduate program. I might consider doing a diploma course or something in Business. It'd probably be the best way to find a job using my languages.

ProudDUB wrote: »

Boy, this thread has opened a can of worms in me noggin ! :eek:

Always, always, always wanted to do a degree in History. The past has always been my thing. Got the points for it and all. My mother talked me out of doing it. Said that when I graduated, all I would be qualified to do would be teach which I wasn't cut out for, or be a researcher & earn peanuts. So I was talked into repeating my Leaving, and going for something Commerce/Business Studies related. She convinced me the job opportunities were greater there. This was during a very bad recession in the late 80's. Parents were more focused on their kids getting proper jobs after college, and not any of that "feeling fulfilled in what you do" ballsology.

So I did 4 years doing a Business Studies degree and, I hated every minute of it. I never did it or Economics or Accountancy in school, so I was always struggling to catch up. I barely qualified, and certainly not well enough to get a decent job out if it. Have drifted from profession to profession ever since really, totally lacking focus and drive. The biggest regret of my life, hands down was not following my heart, and doing my History degree. I may have been earning peanuts, but at least I would have been happy and satisfied. I think.

Then again, I applied for a US green card the year after I left college. I got it and I moved there 18 months later. I had wonderful life of excitement and variety in the US that I probably never would have had if I was still plugging away in UCD, writing my magnum opus on Michael Collins granny inventing Clonakilty Black Pudding or whatever. So swings and roundabouts I suppose.....:rolleyes:

See, what you just said, doesn't make me regret my degree. I think if I had done business, I would have been very unfulfilled. Of course, I could have studied business and language, but would have not probably picked up the level of French and Spanish I learnt through my degree. Who knows?

But, the fact that you're in the U.S. now shows how things work themselves out in the end for the better.

Canard

playedalive wrote: »

Yeah what LCers don't really get (voice of experience) is that language courses are, in reality, literature courses. My first year was really deceiving. At the start, we had about 5 hours of language classes (approx) per week. Then, we had literature and civilisation classes. Then, from second year, it was just 3 hours of languages and 4 hours of literature per week. At the start, it was not a big problem. But, towards the end, I got really disilusioned with the course. The lecturers expect you to engage with the literature and analyse it to death. At the same time, I did learn great skills from it and my languages totally improved.

I don't regret my degree, because, realistically, I wouldn't have chosen anything different at the age of 18. I did business in school and liked it (got an A2 in the Leaving Cert), but, at that time, I wasn't passionate about it.

If I don't get any place on a graduate program. I might consider doing a diploma course or something in Business. It'd probably be the best way to find a job using my languages.

Exactly - essentially you're studying English through foreign languages! I really hadn't expected that. Besides literature, the course I'm doing involves stuff like art history etc which I totally neglect because its useless and boring, but thats probably a bad idea - cant help it though. :pac: They almost get offended when you're not bursting with enthusiasm for some ancient books/stories/poems haha. Though I agree, it's nice to see a high standard of the languages you're studying and in context, so it can help. I know you don't even need business to do it in college but I ended up with a B3 so not too bad of a grounding in it (though I didnt count it, kind of shows where business was on my list of priorities! Gave up on it in 6th year...:o) - but as you said, it's just not something I was interested in pursuing really.

I'm rambling now, but yeah, I agree - it's never a bad decision to study what you're good at and passionate about and things always work out in the end with diplomas, add-ons and what not.

parc

Raging_Ninja wrote: »

Hadn't a clue what I was doing - went into science and muddled through first year, then failed second year twice.

So I started working in a busy bar while I figured out what to do with myself - looking back it was an act of self hatred to be honest.

So I did the work thing, saving money and got some help from the career guidance people in college, who were fantastic. I started an Arts course, studying IT and economics, and it all went well. Did the masters and got a job half way through (in the middle of the worst global recession in a century, so f*ck you people who diss arts), and I am quite happy now.

Looking back, do I regret doing science? No - it helped to shape who I am now, and I think that it's worked out pretty good so far.

Fair play and all but how is IT and Economics even classed as "arts"

Papillon!

No I didn't. Went to art college and dropped out half way through 2nd year. It made me hate something I've loved all my life because I'm not someone who likes deadlines or homework

I felt like a failure for dropping out because pretty much everyone from my school went to college.

It took me a long time to realize I'm not a waster just because I didn't get a degree. I'm so much happier working full time and earning money and now have a tattoo apprenticeship as well so I'm able to focus on my creative side again.

Some things just fall into your hands when you don't expect it and college isn't the be all and end all

Real Life

I think i made the right choice with what i studied at college but maybe not the right choice with which college i went to

LoonyLovegood

I've definitely made the right choice with the college I'm in, I love it. But I think I'd be happier having done a different course.

Mugatuu

No I definatly made the wrong choice regarding college! I studied Culinary Arts for two years. I absolutely loved cooking and everything food related. I thought by following my passion that it would suit me perfect. I worked in kitchens before and loved it. It's kind of exciting you'd get this kind of buzz when service starts.

Although the course I choose was absolute shíte and really badly run. I'm finished two years later doing dishes I would have been able to do blindfolded in second year home economics. The course has changed my perspective on food, I hate this as food was my passion since I was quite young and now I absolutly hate food. The last thing I want to do is look at food when I get home.

Looking back I should have never gone to college seen as I wanted to work with food. Best thing I could have done is not go to college but i should have gone straight into a kitchen and learnt from the bottom. I would have gained better quality knowledge and experience.


On the bright side at least I gained life experience and grew up a lot in college.

godwin

No , I reckon that the government should make it mandatory that people who have just completed the leaving cert should have to take 1 year off to get the sh1t together and decide what they want to do. Seen so many 1st year drop outs who either weren't ready for college/uni or realised halfway through year one that the course was not for them.

kowloon

I love when they try to sell courses with the 'transferable skills' line. My arse.

sock puppet

kowloon wrote: »

I love when they try to sell courses with the 'transferable skills' line. My arse.

How so? Engineers seem to be able to work in a load of different industries.

kowloon

sock puppet wrote: »

How so? Engineers seem to be able to work in a load of different industries.

I was probably a bit vague. When I was in school and checking out different courses I'd often come across courses that had transferable skills listed as it's main benefits. In effect, I was being told to spend 3+ years learning to use the MS Office suite.

Mech Eng taught me a little about coding, maths, surveying, CAD, even a little business. I doubt I'll get as much use out of history, but they make a big deal out of the transferable skills. Doesn't stop me doing it, but there are quicker ways for me to end up as someones underling.

playedalive

Canard wrote: »

Exactly - essentially you're studying English through foreign languages! I really hadn't expected that. Besides literature, the course I'm doing involves stuff like art history etc which I totally neglect because its useless and boring, but thats probably a bad idea - cant help it though. :pac: They almost get offended when you're not bursting with enthusiasm for some ancient books/stories/poems haha. Though I agree, it's nice to see a high standard of the languages you're studying and in context, so it can help. I know you don't even need business to do it in college but I ended up with a B3 so not too bad of a grounding in it (though I didnt count it, kind of shows where business was on my list of priorities! Gave up on it in 6th year...:o) - but as you said, it's just not something I was interested in pursuing really.

I'm rambling now, but yeah, I agree - it's never a bad decision to study what you're good at and passionate about and things always work out in the end with diplomas, add-ons and what not.

Out of interest, where are you studying (if you don't mind me asking). I'm in TCD myself. I totally get the whole lecturer's undying passion for obscure literature. I am in the middle of studying medieval literature. It's times like this that make me question 'why didn't I choose DCU Applied Languages all those years ago'. I'm even procrastinating looking at add-on business diplomas atm. I just want a job where I can use my languages and be happy.

muppetkiller

I made the right choice as far as Job prospects are concerned when I did Computer Science 13 years ago but I'd be much happier I think If I had gone into Veterinary or something that rewards you emotionally as well as financially. The older you get the more important it is to feel you're actually adding value to the world
IT is soul destroying at times and the shear level of complete incompetence you have to deal with in Management is enough to drive you crazy. Dilberts cartoons are based on fact

WinnyThePoo

I went through a bad phase of my life in 5th and 6th year school. It all came to a week and a half at the start of june, I didn't like it and suffered. My parents found me a course in music production. Which i thought i'd enjoy. I fell out in love with music and didn't finish the course.
You can hardly tie your laces at 18.

miss no stars

First time around - no. Dropped out.

Second time around? Structural engineering... I was in 2nd year when everything crashed. Yipee.

I kinda enjoyed college, I found the course interesting at the time and while enjoyed would be the wrong word considering the amount of stress involved, I appreciated? the assignments and work. It was interesting and I think it was a good choice to make, jobs or no jobs, as it suited me down to the ground.

Just wish the economy was still booming so I would actually have options right now other than "emigrate" or "emigrate". I don't want to emigrate.

Canard

playedalive wrote: »

Out of interest, where are you studying (if you don't mind me asking). I'm in TCD myself. I totally get the whole lecturer's undying passion for obscure literature. I am in the middle of studying medieval literature. It's times like this that make me question 'why didn't I choose DCU Applied Languages all those years ago'. I'm even procrastinating looking at add-on business diplomas atm. I just want a job where I can use my languages and be happy.

UCD I actually had TSM French/Spanish down for a while but the idea of UCD's being "BA Modern Languages" appealed to me and I thought it might be more focused...only difference between it and their arts course is more core history/literature. :eek: Never have I met a languages student who doesn't find the literature completely pointless! DCU would have been much closer to me, but I think they do also have quite a bit of fluff in their course too, wish I knew for sure which would have best suited me. TSM French/Russian might have been cool too.

Business diplomas and TEFL are probably what ill do considering teaching's a bit off the cards these days. I agree though, once I get to use my languages a bit and have time to learn more I'm happy.