Last year of course and feeling anxious

jk23

I am going into my final year and its in Arts which may explain the anxiousness! seriously though i am studying History and Geography and i regret not picking IT in first year as its such an employable subject. My parents think its great that i'm even studying and completing a degree moreso because they dont really understand that Arts as a course does not qualify me in a secific area..the reason i mention my parents is because i cant really ask them for advice because they think a degree means better job prospects which Arts .as a degree, doesnt provide.

I'll be 25 when my course ends and i have had previous work experience but i need advice on what to do..i'll certainly go to the careers guidance and i am interested in doing a post grad in journalism but is this a realistic target?. I am very worried about my future job prospects and when people say the only job i'll be qualified for after my degree will be fast food chains or supermarkets it hurts because i know thats probably true and even though there are great career opportunities in those two sectors to go up the ladder in management i dont really want to work in those industries. I know i sond like a complete waster but i really hope someone can give me advice on what i could do make me and my CV more employable as anytime i mention Arts to anyone outside of my college they kind of look down on it which i can understand to an extent...i would really appreciate some replies via this forum or pm me thanks again

nyarlothothep

You can do a comp sci conversion course in UCD or Maynooth afaik, that is if you really want to get into IT. This is purely anecdotal so take it with a pinch of salt but apparently having a masters gives you the edge, so many people have BAs that the competition is harder with just a BA. Wouldn't feel anxious though, you've got plenty of time to train up in a specialism. It is true that arts doesn't qualify you for anything in particular. Certain types of people jump from this premise to the conclusion that arts is useless which is nonsense because they're conforming education to a purely utilitarian conception, then applying it to the world as fact when it's just their opinion. It's a form of intellectual dishonesty. So in other words nor should you feel like you've wasted 3 years of your life.

purplepapillon

Hey OP,

I was quite anxious going into final year too. There is pressure to "know what you're doing career-wise" yes, but these days, nobody knows. Degrees don't guarantee any job. The Higher Education Authority have a skills conversion list. http://www.hea.ie/en/skills%20funding

These are basically some courses which are in low demand, but these skills are needed in the country or something so they're trying to incentivise people to do them by subsidising them. They are subsidised by the HEA so basically you're getting an MA for a little cheaper. Lots of them are computer-related. If I didn't get my course this year, I was thinking of Digital Humanities in Maynooth, as it looks a useful course, and would help me get my current course on re-application.

At the end of the day, no matter how "industry focused" a course or university is, there is no guarantee of a job. A Masters is a Masters though, no matter if you got it for cheaper than the average!

Best of luck with everything!

PS Oh, when you go back to college, people will all be talking about dissertations, and "how many words have you written?" and that kind of thing. This became unbelievably irritating during my final year (mainly cos I had not started for the first few months my own fault!) but go at your own pace, and enjoy your final year as an undergrad!

LegacyUser

I could've written this post in my final year of Arts in Maynooth. I even had the same sort of parents who knew even less than me about college or careers. There's not a lot I can add to what the others have said but this post struck a chord with me. I'm glad to see that you're being more sensible than I was. I was nearer to my final exams before it occurred to me that I should be worrying about life after I'd graduated.

Don't be so hard on yourself or the degree you took. You'd be surprised where a good grade in Arts can lead you. Some of my former classmates have ended up in surprising places. I also know people who did very specific courses, then realised that they had qualified in something they really hated. Not to mention the people who trained as architects, quantity surveyors etc. during the property boom and now find that their skills are not required here.

I'm glad to see you're going to see the careers advisor. The most important thing you can do now is make yourself aware of any courses you can gain entry into. Don't restrict yourself to Ireland either - there could be courses in the UK that might suit you. Try not to worry about your age either. What difference will a few more years make? You are still young. Besides, with so many younger graduates coming out of college and having no luck finding work here, are you any worse off where you are?

She Who Dares Wins

I'll second the advice given so far. Parents are often great with their encouragement for education- when they're not the consequences are much worse than when they're naive! But they have often not been through the system and look on with ideas and envy.

So you can't pay too much attention to their notions, just gradually get them used to the idea that you'll be continuing your studies to get trained as something. In your case you might get them very excited by talking about getting your masters

Go to career guidance sooner rather than later, try to talk to people working in the areas that interest you- if IT is your interest then pick a damn good course and do well in it, get some work experience before graduating and you'll be in a good position. Business Information Systems is an area with good prospects and worth a look. Once you start to actively investigate your options your anxiety will decrease- acting on the cause has this effect. Remember you have options and that's a great position to be in so get a good degree grade, take your Arts degree and move onto the next step.

Careers these days are stepping stones!

Old Perry

I cant give any better advice than what has been given except maybe the reassurance that very few degrees are a waste of time and out of many other things at the very least shows a willingness to work at something u take an interest and motivation to better oneself. After I think you've just gotta dok yourself and hope for the best.

Also a friend finished their undergrad 2 years ago , one subject being geography , done a one year conversion in IT (which I was told was very easy to complete with goodgrades) and a couple of months later was working in a higher managerial role for a pretty big phone company here in Ireland.

CatEyed92

Same! My parents have scolded me for leaving my BA degree as they never had degree's etc. They think I am MAD! ...probably!
I'm leaving to pursue a career in the Medicine/Health field.
I have to repeat the LC :rolleyes: trying to keep the chin up and keep the faith atm!
You can build on the BA though, with masters and diploma's such as criminology, HR, applied pyschology and many more.
(But tbh, I didn't want to. I was bored with the course and knew it wasn't for me.. )

Overheal

Geology? Seismology? Meteorology? Archaeology? If I throw out enough ology's I'm sure to land on one you can engage as a discipline.

boomtown123

An arts degree is just as good as any other one - as long as you worked hard at it. I have a degree in Geography and English. I then went on to do a masters in policy planing and development. I am now working in health agency and I absolutely love it.

An arts degree is worth something - its just because its so broad that it is worthwhile to go on to do masters or even a higher diploma. If your interested in IT, why not do a higher diploma in that area or even mix your geography with IT and do something like geocomputation.

I would strongly recommend doing a postgraduate. When I was looking at my options I thought yeah most science and engineering degrees are 4 years - my degree is only 3 years so I might as well go on and do a an extra year.

I have to say doing the masters was the best thing ever - I got so much experience. I tutored undergraduates during the year for the geography department - mainly for money. But it was really worthwhile as I could say yes I worked and did a masters for that year. Also great for references as well and networking for future jobs with lecturers etc.

Good luck with it all.

amen

Geology? Seismology? Meteorology

funny really that they first three you mention are all science based and for th Seismology and Meteorology you would need a primary degree in Physics and most likely a masters. For Geology you would also have good bit of physics and chemistry.

boomtown123

amen wrote: »

funny really that they first three you mention are all science based and for th Seismology and Meteorology you would need a primary degree in Physics and most likely a masters. For Geology you would also have good bit of physics and chemistry.

No necessarily - depends on the what modules you did as part of your degree in Geography. You would be very very surprised how much science is involved in physical geography... Gives me nightmares thinking about it when I look back at my degree :pac:

Overheal

OP have you talk with your school faculty to see what your work placement prospects may be? Or your instructors?

There is of course, always teaching