No Idea what to put on my CAO

TheBiz

Genuinely don't know what to put down.

18, doing my Leaving Cert (would like to avoid repeating/taking a year out as I'll be 19 finishing)

I filled out a couple career/personality/aptitude tests in my careers class, the teacher then said 'Oh definitely science, no doubt' even though I don't do Chemistry or HL maths.
I think that result was more affected by me mentioning medicine interests me at the start of the year (unrealistic and growing out of that idea)

Now I don't know. I have looked into every field of work and that hasn't helped so this is where I'm at.

My best subjects are; Geography, Business, Biology and English.
I do OL maths but I get B's fairly comfortably.

My poor parents are going insane over the fact that I have no clue and the fact that I'm still none-the-wiser!

frankston

Why dont you take a gap year and go see the world. Its important that you are committed to the course you choose as its often not easy and some times very expensive to change later

spurious

Whatever you do, don't put something down for the sake of putting something down.

There is no issue with employers or colleges with you being a year or even two years older starting. They would rather you be older and start something you like, want to do and will finish, than leap into any old course and drop out.

I know I'm always banging on about it, but don't forget the EU sponsored volunteering programme for young people: http://www.vsi.ie/volunteer/longterm/evs.html

You could improve a language, learn more about yourself, do something worthwhile, all the time maturing and working out what it is you would like to do. Volunteering never looks bad on a CV and longer term volunteering looks even better.

shluachra

Biology is one of your best subjects and you had an interest in medicine so you could consider a degree containing psychology. You could do it through an arts degree which would leave your options open although you would need to check progression through your degree with psychology as you may have to reach a certain standard in first year to progress to second year psychology if you were doing psychology through arts.

Whatever you do, don't just put down 1 or 2 courses on your CAO. Always have some banker courses further down because you could be seeking to go a different career direction in August.

But come August, don't take a course for the sake of taking it

Best of luck

Triangla

shluachra wrote: »

Biology is one of your best subjects and you had an interest in medicine so you could consider a degree containing psychology. You could do it through an arts degree which would leave your options open although you would need to check progression through your degree with psychology as you may have to reach a certain standard in first year to progress to second year psychology if you were doing psychology through arts.

Whatever you do, don't just put down 1 or 2 courses on your CAO. Always have some banker courses further down because you could be seeking to go a different career direction in August.

But come August, don't take a course for the sake of taking it

Best of luck

There is no link between biology and psychology. The actual subjects that's is.

Op why not go to a local university/ IT open day or even approach their careers office for advice.

Pop in for a chat, don't just bang off an email. A conversation in person will go further than an email.

The Randy Riverbeast

Dont worry about what subjects you have done or havent done when choosing a course. Once you meet the entry requirements for the course you have enough background so if chemistry isn't a requirement to get in then you dont need to have done it for the leaving cert. The first year of college would cover it.

shluachra

Triangla wrote: »

There is no link between biology and psychology. The actual subjects that's is.

It is true that little of the material you will learn for leaving cert biology will be of benefit in undergrad psychology. However, if you have an aptitude for learning about anatomy, then that talent can be useful in the aspects of undergrad psychology dealing with the physical brain. There are of course other aspects like social psychology, developmental psychology, educational psychology, etc.

Anyway, you may have no interest in psychology

TheBiz

One thing I am realizing is that I would the opportunity to move into upper management and I've been thinking about doing a masters in business administration (something along those lines) after my degree.
I have looked at studying psychology but it doesn't seem like it would interest me, it seems too theoretical.
I have been looking at engineering but I'm still unsure!

randylonghorn

TheBiz wrote: »

One thing I am realizing is that I would the opportunity to move into upper management and I've been thinking about doing a masters in business administration (something along those lines) after my degree.

Then maybe you should think about a business-related degree from the start?

shluachra

Some engineering degrees will require a HC3 in maths as a minimum entry requirement. However, for students that don't have the HC3, some colleges like NUI Maynooth have in the past held a special maths entrance exam in August.

Also, a degree in business while very useful would not be necessary for entry to some MBA's, for example the MBA in Dublin Business School.

A degree in engineering may be as likely to lead you to upper management as a degree in business.

TheBiz

shluachra wrote: »

Some engineering degrees will require a HC3 in maths as a minimum entry requirement. However, for students that don't have the HC3, some colleges like NUI Maynooth have in the past held a special maths entrance exam in August.

Also, a degree in business while very useful would not be necessary for entry to some MBA's, for example the MBA in Dublin Business School.

A degree in engineering may be as likely to lead you to upper management as a degree in business.

most colleges (or the ones I've looked into) have a special maths entrance exam.
As for business its commonly taken with a language which doesn't appeal to me.
I would like a more specialised degree, and then go get a MBA..

otpmb

TheBiz wrote: »

Genuinely don't know what to put down.

18, doing my Leaving Cert (would like to avoid repeating/taking a year out as I'll be 19 finishing)

I filled out a couple career/personality/aptitude tests in my careers class, the teacher then said 'Oh definitely science, no doubt' even though I don't do Chemistry or HL maths.
I think that result was more affected by me mentioning medicine interests me at the start of the year (unrealistic and growing out of that idea)

Now I don't know. I have looked into every field of work and that hasn't helped so this is where I'm at.

My best subjects are; Geography, Business, Biology and English.
I do OL maths but I get B's fairly comfortably.

My poor parents are going insane over the fact that I have no clue and the fact that I'm still none-the-wiser!

I honestly wouldn't worry about what age you go to college at, I know going to college seems pretty important now but, once you do get there, you realise there are many different types or people there of all ages and backgrounds and what's actually important is being happy with the course you have chosen.

You could, as other posters have mentioned take a year out. You could do an arts degree, you get to pick 4 subjects in 1st year and reduce them as you progress through your degree (these subjects could include Maths, English, Computer science, Geography, Economics etc). You could do a fetac course in something you have an interest in, especially if you're still undecided after the CAO deadline or when the LC results come out. I'd definitely have a chat with your careers teacher or an admissions officer in your preferred college.

TheBiz wrote: »

One thing I am realizing is that I would the opportunity to move into upper management and I've been thinking about doing a masters in business administration (something along those lines) after my degree.
I have looked at studying psychology but it doesn't seem like it would interest me, it seems too theoretical.
I have been looking at engineering but I'm still unsure!

Is there ay particular reason you want to go into upper management, are you good at managing people?

TheBiz

I like the idea (haven't been able to put it into practice) of having control over the success or failure of a business, maybe I'd prefer to own my own business instead of running an existing business.
I want to have freedom, not entirely limitless but so that I'm doing more than being a cog in a machine, I'd rather set the machine into motion.

otpmb

Okay, that's a starting point then, maybe try to talk to some people in your locality who set up a business from scratch or think about a small business you could set up now. If you're setting up a business, a business degree might not be that helpful and a lot of the information you might need can be found online or from a good accountant but, that would depend on the business you set up of course. Take a look at this thread (http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=57586595) it's pretty interesting and there might be somebody there who you could message for more information.

shluachra

otpmb wrote: »

think about a small business you could set up now. If you're setting up a business, a business degree might not be that helpful

Yes. My teacher used to say " all you guys up the front be nice to the messers down the back because when you get your degree you'll be going to them for a job "

TheBiz

So what is boils down to is, is college worth it under my circumstances? If I said it to my parents I'd probably be ducking from the 'don't be stupid, go to college' slap I'd be recieving about now.
But as someone who ultimately wants to be self employed but doesn't know his true 'passion' (it sounds cheesy) would I be better off doing a course in the areas of interest rather than a full blown degree?
Off the top of my head I'd like to learn how to programme computers, how to work/fix computers/phones (my dad fixes phones part time) and how to invest in the stock market.

At the end of the day when I have down time I spend it looking up videos on YouTube. Even my parents have given me credit that when I should be doing home working and I'm not, at least I'm still learning on my own terms.

frillyleaf

Hi OP. It is good you are weighing up your options and realise that you are unsure what path to take. I know you probably hear this a lot but you really are so young. I think it's a lot of pressure on a young adult to "know what they want to do". Some people are lucky and just know from a young age but I feel this is a minority😊

You could always try to get experience in different areas over the next year and see if there is an area you would see yourself working in instead of jumping into a degree you are unsure about.

Even if you had some courses in mind you could fill out the CAO - incase - you decided you really liked one of the courses and wanted to start in September. You don't have to accept any offers if you don't want to. You can defer if you want but be sure of the CAO procedures in doing so.

I was offered a course a few years ago and by the time it came to me doing the course I deferred it as I was having doubts. I decided over a few months it wasn't for me and reapplied and am in a course I enjoy now ( most of the time😊)

I also find in the past when I have made "panic" decisions they have been the wrong decisions for me...you could use this year to your advantage by properly looking through colleges, career paths or interests. You could get work experience in different areas to test the water? I'm sure most companies would be obliging.

I feel if someone has a plan it's good, if you take a gap year i would try make it as productive as possible as its a great time to figure out interests😊

You could use this year to see if you would have any ideas to set up a business? Is there anything you would feel passionate about that you can use here ? This could be difficult at 18 but I'm sure there are supports to help.

Another thing, I know some people in my course who are taking a gap year during the course as they feel they are too young to enter workforce at 21/22 so don't let the age worry you.

Best of luck

xLisaBx

You could consider biomedical science? Since you had an interest in medicine, you will cover a lot of similar modules and also lab work. Biology would be the key subject, and since you are good at biology, it might be worth a shot!

shluachra

TheBiz wrote: »

would I be better off doing a course in the areas of interest rather than a full blown degree?
Off the top of my head I'd like to learn how to programme computers, how to work/fix computers/phones (my dad fixes phones part time) and how to invest in the stock market.

You don't have to start off registering for a full blown degree. You could do a 2 year higher certificate (say in Information Technology) in an institute of technology which has the option of progressing to a degree or graduating with the higher certificate.

Make sure your course has the option to progress into 3rd year. Some 2 years courses only entitle you to transfer to the 2nd year of a degree.

And 2 academic years is really only a little over 18 months so your parents would be happy you are going to college and you are happy to be out of there in close to 18 months.

Definitely do a course in the area you want to be self-employed in rather than doing a qualification in business. You may find a course in an area of computers that also has a business module like basic business accounting or marketing.

The thing about doing a college course is that there will be areas you will be forced to study because of assignments and these may be areas you had never contemplated reading up on outside of college even if you have a passion for that general area. This can be a good thing because it can open you up to additional aspects that you can incorporate into your future business. There is also the networking aspect of making connections in your area of business.

DA7800

I'm not sure what your location situation is, or if committing to a four year course is best for you personally given your stated ambivalence, but I can't help drawing parallels between your interests and my own.

Have you ever considered something in the vein of Business Information Systems in UCC? It's a course that has a mix of business modules and computer programming modules. It's an even split in first year but you can elect more of either if you decide you prefer one part of the course over the other. Good job opportunities, paid work placement abroad, and the university itself has a good attitude towards student driven start-ups, or so I hear. I know a few people who do the course and of those people, they all love it. It's currently my own first preference.

(Edit: I tried including a link but the mobile app is being troublesome, so just in case you are interested, the course code is CK203)

shluachra

Some colleges are holding CAO information evenings next week. May throw some light on things.

otpmb

shluachra wrote: »

You don't have to start off registering for a full blown degree. You could do a 2 year higher certificate (say in Information Technology) in an institute of technology which has the option of progressing to a degree or graduating with the higher certificate.

Make sure your course has the option to progress into 3rd year. Some 2 years courses only entitle you to transfer to the 2nd year of a degree.

And 2 academic years is really only a little over 18 months so your parents would be happy you are going to college and you are happy to be out of there in close to 18 months.

Definitely do a course in the area you want to be self-employed in rather than doing a qualification in business. You may find a course in an area of computers that also has a business module like basic business accounting or marketing.

The thing about doing a college course is that there will be areas you will be forced to study because of assignments and these may be areas you had never contemplated reading up on outside of college even if you have a passion for that general area. This can be a good thing because it can open you up to additional aspects that you can incorporate into your future business. There is also the networking aspect of making connections in your area of business.

+1

You may also want to work as an employee in that sector before you open a business. You mentioned computer programming, have you looked into a computer science degree/course?

TheBiz

xLisaBx wrote: »

You could consider biomedical science? Since you had an interest in medicine, you will cover a lot of similar modules and also lab work. Biology would be the key subject, and since you are good at biology, it might be worth a shot!

I don't particularly like biology I just happen to be good at it, and I just learn it off.
I like learning about the body but on a finite level i don't. To compare I like understanding how a plant gets its energy but I have no real interest in learning the steps of photosynthesis (I know this isn't in biomedical science, just using it as a comparison.)
Not to mention points are extremely high and I don't see myself getting 500+ like it is in NUIG

Meanman

You have until end of June to finalise your CAO form. Just ensure you have the initial form submitted by due date. 5 months will give you a little more time to consider options and time to talk to some third level students. Look at some of the "entrepreneur" courses e.g. DCU UL etc. Read through the syllybus/go to the open day/ring the lecturer.

Don't Panic

TheBiz

Meanman wrote: »

You have until end of June to finalise your CAO form. Just ensure you have the initial form submitted by due date. 5 months will give you a little more time to consider options and time to talk to some third level students. Look at some of the "entrepreneur" courses e.g. DCU UL etc. Read through the syllybus/go to the open day/ring the lecturer.

Don't Panic

From what I've seen entrepreneur courses aren't highly regarded..

I was thinking of a traineeship for software development, I haven't given it much thought, just something that caught my eye. Any know anything about this traineeship done through FAS?

randylonghorn

TheBiz wrote: »

I would like a more specialised degree, and then go get a MBA..

TheBiz wrote: »

Off the top of my head I'd like to learn how to programme computers, how to work/fix computers/phones ...

So perhaps you should look at computer-related courses?

It is a skillset which won't go to waste in the modern world, and even if you do go into business for yourself, and never take up a computer-related job, any business these days will rely heavily on computers, and knowing your way around that side of things will always stand to you.

TheBiz

randylonghorn wrote: »

So perhaps you should look at computer-related courses?

It is a skillset which won't go to waste in the modern world, and even if you do go into business for yourself, and never take up a computer-related job, any business these days will rely heavily on computers, and knowing your way around that side of things will always stand to you.

At the moment I'm not even sure if I want to go to college.
I know a computer related degree would be beneficial but I'm tempted to try and get an entry level job, learn to programme/code (like I'm already trying to do but the LC makes that difficult) build up a portfolio of programmes and software and all the while trying to pursue my business venture because I'm currently learning the programming necessary for the product I want to make.
In a computers related degree like Computer Science there is so much to learn and in reality not all of it will be useful.