Careerwise

Still unsure what you'd like to do when you leave school? Jack Griffinhas some tips

Don't worry It's quite normal not to know what you want to do. Career interests fluctuate and vary considerably for the average student at this age. Only a very few know exactly what they wish for, although TY students have some advantage, having been exposed to work experience and related career considerations.

Choose your Leaving Cert subjects carefully The best advice for most students is to choose a combination of subjects that keeps your career options open. Everyone takes Irish, unless exempt, together with English and maths. It is useful then also to include a business subject, a science subject, a modern language and a practical subject. It is vital to discuss this fully with your current subject teachers, your careers-guidance teacher and your parents.

Remember that some subjects are essential for certain degrees and careers. For example, you need higher-level Irish to become a primary-school teacher, and you need higher-level maths for careers such as engineering and some sciences. You need to have two science subjects for a few degrees, and, of course, you also need a third language for almost all NUI courses. (A few, such as nursing and, more recently, engineering in some colleges, do not.)

Try to make an educated guess about the grade you might get in each Leaving Cert subject. Calculate the resultant points and make that your target. If you do not achieve enough points or honours to go directly into a specific degree course (Level 8), there are alternative pathways to the same qualification. You can go the Higher Certificate or further-education route (Levels 6 and 7).

Get to know yourself It will give you a good indication of what you might be suited to. This is important, as you will be happy when your work and career require you to use your unique set of natural behaviour characteristics. People who dislike their work are often being forced to act in a way that runs counter to their natural and personal traits. Someone who is very outgoing but is working in a back office, for example, will probably not be satisfied with their career.

Ask yourself: Am I competitive and forceful or mild-mannered and shy? Am I normally talkative and persuasive or am I self-conscious and reserved? How dependable am I, and how steady and persistent in finishing tasks? Am I a restless person who gets bored easily? Am I careful, logical and accurate in my work or am I a bit stubborn, a person who likes to do things my way? Your answers to these questions give you the clues to understanding your unique self.

You can then examine the nuts and bolts of careers with this in mind; www.careerdirections.ie is a very useful website for this.

Jack Griffin, a member of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors, works in private practice. He welcomes inquiries through his website, www.candeguidance.com