If you could go to university now, what would you study?

At age 34 and with one completely pointless and largely unused degree under my belt, I have a hankering to go back to university to study Computer Science. I've taught myself how to code as a means to an end over the last six or seven years, and had a moderately successful company for a while, and I'm studying hard to move into that field properly as an employee in the next year or two, but I'd love to actually go and do the full shebang. The more theoretical stuff. I consume so much information about this that I can never put into practice, simply because it's fascinating.

Of course it's kind of impossible to actually do it without the means to do so, and I'm in the wrong country, but it's nice to think about.

What would ye like to study? Or would you like to study again at all?

bogwalrus

At 29 I went and did a 4 year degree in software development. Now 36 with almost 3.5 years working in the industry i have a very high salary with a very comfortable standard of living

I am terrible at maths and have lots of weaknesses that many would assume are critical to be a good software engineer. The industry needs a mix of engineers with all sorts of skills to have well functioning teams.

For people who already have a degree i think it is worth doing a higher diploma in computer science which I believe can be completed in a year. Only do this if you genuinely have an interest and willing to put the work in.

You will struggle otherwise but at least you can maybe take a shortcut.

banie01

I went straight into work post leaving cert. Did ok in the Security and Hospitality industries. Returned to Ireland in 2003 went working for a MN who also put through my BBS. Finished with them in 2009 and have worked a variety of roles since, primarily consulting in BPI and lean before moving into Telco and working primarily in compliance and regulatory.

That led to an interest in the law. Medical issues forced retirement upon me in my late 30's. So I took that as an opportunity to head back to Uni and am now in my 3rd year of Criminal Justice in UL but will hopefully follow it up with a master's and gain an LLB.

EmmetSpiceland

Now? I’d probably do some “wishy-washy” Arts type degree. Something interesting but utterly useless like English Literature, Classical Studies, Film Studies or History.

Would be nice to take a “course”, like that, with very few hours and one you wouldn’t have to work too hard for. One that facilitates enjoying the more sociable side of the college “experience”.

Scuid Mhór

Comparative mythology.

pgj2015

psychology.

Pherekydes

Mathematics. I'm 61 so it's not going to happen.

Accountancy. Easiest way to make big bucks without having any particular talent or entrepreneurial spirit. An utterly joyless profession, but that’s why they hire in graduates.

I studied economics and I work in a job that I like, so I don't think I'd be interested in studying right now.

But when I retire I think I'll go back and study something like philosophy as a hobby.

Loafing Oaf

Ancient History/Classics

First, a full time course that did NOT rely on me having to do a project with anybody else on the course.

A C++ Games course with a specialisation in Physics

storker

Classics. Especially classical history. I'm fascinated by ancient history, Rome's in particular. I've even starting learning Latin during the additional time working from home has given me.

I'm 55 and I never got round to getting a degree and I do regret it. Regarding subjects, I believe picking in something you like, not just because it might get you a good job. Of course, if you can do both, then fantastic. Unless looking to get into a particular area, I get the impression that the subject isn't necessarily all that important. Many job ads only specify a degree, not the subject. I've also noticed that the alumni who compete in the special Christmas seasons of University Challenge are often in good careers that seem unrelated or merely tangential to the degree they studied at university.

StupidLikeAFox

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118074747#Comment_118074747

I don't know your circumstances but don't let age be a factor- in 4 years time you are going to be 65 anyway, whether you do the degree or not!

generallyjack

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118074499#Comment_118074499

Do you mind me asking where you were studying? What were the dropout rates like?

Wanderer78

im not sure i would go back to third level, after spending years in and out of it, a lot of the material is completely out of date, pointless in the real world of work, and im only recently figuring out, my brain just isnt designed for rote learning, and trying to make it fit is very pointless. since walking away from it, im actually far more productive and im learning at an astonishing rate, so maybe third level just isnt for me

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118075730#Comment_118075730

I'm not sure what course you took, but rote learning in my degree was a direct route to a 2.2. grade.

Wanderer78

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118075996#Comment_118075996

most of our system is based on it, primarily stem based

bogwalrus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118075650#Comment_118075650

Cit. Drop out rate very high. I would say 25% of my year that started actually finished the 4 years.

All the mature students finished though and there was around 10 or so out of 100.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118076387#Comment_118076387

Make sure your fingers and palms don’t chafe, pal.

DarkJager21

Music Production/Audio Engineering - I kick myself every day that I went down the IT rabbit hole without trying to do something I have a love for.

Duckworth_Luas

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118074747#Comment_118074747

Why not?

I did a BSc in Maths at night at DIT.

Lots of folks were in their 50s and 60s.

Outkast_IRE

Would not bother with university , Pilot training . An industry that you need approx 80k or so to get going in and it must be paid , no college can sling out thousands of graduates.

Duckworth_Luas

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118076469#Comment_118076469

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_gvcq8Tpc8

LOL! Bus drivers!

Law or psychology.

Or a combination of elements of the above: criminology.

I couldnt afford to go when i left school (glad now i didnt)

But if i was to go back id like to do something along lines of history or teaching......though gendar studies would be interesting to just see what they do be banging on about/taught behind it,but i doubt id sustain interest to see out several years of it

Trigger Happy

I did electronic engineering and have never worked in that field. Would have liked to have done architecture.

Pherekydes

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118076442#Comment_118076442

Two reasons: finance and level of difficulty.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118076048#Comment_118076048

Not my system. Not in my experience. Those who regurgitate got poor grades in my experience.

Classics and archaeology

TomSweeney

I shoulda stuck with the Physics !!

I was in Applied Physics in DCU and transferred to computer science... Computer Science is a degree that goes out of date ... should have stuck with the Physics!

StupidLikeAFox

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118077008#Comment_118077008

I once had a barber with a degree in applied physics.

I know a young lad who studied maths/physics and is now going to drama school. That's the way to do it imo. I don't think people should be deterred from giving something a shot because it's hard to get work in it, but it's essential to have a plan B.

Cushtie

45 and still don't know what I want to be when I grow up!! , so if I was to go back again, no idea what I would do.

onrail

I'm a bit of a crank on the subject. Unknowingly studied myself into a demanding, yet low paying career but was happy just to have a job in Ireland during the last recession.

Back when I was about 27 (33 now) I'd started thinking of retraining in Accountancy, Data, Software, anything to get me into a decent paying profession, but every year, I came up with an excuse - travel, getting married etc. Now with toddler and another on the way, there's no way out for the next while anyway.

All I'll say is if you're thinking of retraining, just do it.

cj maxx

Astronomy

cj maxx

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118076767#Comment_118076767

That was my CAO choice. Ancient History Archeology and Greek !!!

Needless to say I didn't get in

Hoping to move to the Uk next year to do organic horticulture/gardening. I could probably do it in Ireland but I will get bed and board as an intern (it's on a large country estate). Probably looking at market gardening and the cut flower industry. I just needed an opportunity to get out of Ireland and this presented the best option.

Still stihl waters 3

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118077183#Comment_118077183

42 here and can't seem to find the thing that keeps me interested, I've a landscaping/groundwork business that I do to pay the bills and could probably be a lot busier with but it just doesn't keep me engaged, I drive a lorry for the winter as I can't stand doing the same thing for months on end, but I haven't ever found that one thing that holds my interest, I like changing things up and keeping it different, I've often thought I'd like to work with young adults and it might be something i might look into in time as I've a friend that diversified in later life into a similar field and seems happy with his choice

Jim2007

If I had my life to live over, then I would choose to be a watchmaker. But since the Ireland of the 1970s/80s did not have a watch industry, the idea did not even enter my head. It was only when I move to Switzerland that I discovered my interest and since I'm in my late 50s it is not going to happen. I do some courses in it, but at this age my fingers are not sensitive enough and supple enough to do it for a living. But it is a fun pass time.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118077449#Comment_118077449

I know someone who did that. Well he did a starter course here first, and work experience in a country estate, then continued training with the Royal Horticultural Society. Runs his own business on the continent now.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118074499#Comment_118074499

Looking at courses now. Seems like a lot of stuff locked behind Springboard, which I am seemingly not eligible for with my residency status.

A two-year part-time course does sound great, though. So I'll do more research.

Andrea B.

Electrician with a degree in engineering.

Younger years spent chasing the trade money and partying.

Last 25 years working in industry.

If i could wind back clock, not much different in terms of qualifications and younger years, but would have followed a route which would have enabled me to lecture in third level engineering.

Secure and mostly recession/worry-proof. 10 weeks off in Summer + all other term breaks. Hindsight.

bnt

Assuming no financial worries during or afterwards, I’d study music, particularly composition. I already did the “do a degree to get a job” thing and it didn’t work out, so I’m not doing that again.

Ave Sodalis

Veterinary. I'd qualify to get into the shorter graduate entry course, but at 21k+ a year on just fees alone, not to mention the cost of living in Dublin, and no funding available as I'm not progressing... it's not gonna happen unless I win the lotto. I've absolutely no idea how other people do it.

Having spent many years in college I think alot of degrees are a complete waste of time. Yes I'm in a job I enjoy now but I have endured numerous pointless lectures and assignments that have had no relevance to the job. Alot of courses are just money spinners for Universities to keep building...I think based on my own experience the focus should be on practical hands on experience, going in to the area you want to work in from day one, instead of sitting in lectures listening to waffle for the most part 😴

Black Swan

Programming and AI.

2011

I qualified as an electrician in my youth and spent many years on my tools. I made good money, traveled a bit, but got burnt out and desperatley needed a change.

I graduated with a degree in electrical engineering at the age of 40. That was the best decision I ever made, I have been working for a large engineering consultancy since 2009.

Montage of Feck

Something handy that would lead to a PhD, purely for vanity. :)

A few friends studied Economics and all went in to good jobs. (Deloitte, AIB, AON, etc,..)

Seems to be a good degree to have

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118084167#Comment_118084167

I studied that, it's a really flexible degree that can get you loads of jobs.

Astroneurology