Decisions for a lifetime

Some of the most interesting people I know didn't know what they wanted to do at the age of 22. If that's the case, how can a 17 or 18-year old be expected to plan their future in its entirety?

But that is what is being asked of those attending this year's Higher Options conference. Not only do careers have to be chosen, decisions have to be made on whether to go straight into work or college, or into one of the astonishing array of courses available at the moment. If going to college, which courses should you aim for, and indeed which colleges?

The good news is that advice is not in short supply, and neither are jobs. Unless you really want to, or if it is an actual career such as the Defence forces, there is no need to go straight into a job after school. If you do, you could easily end up regretting it when the people you got your Leaving Certificate with are fully exploiting the possibilities of the booming job market that could be around for a few years to come.

There's a lot of evidence to show that people with higher-level qualifications - degrees, diplomas and certificates - fare better financially than people who leave school with poor educational attainments. They also remain in employment longer.

Today, the Irish third-level sector comprises State-funded universities, institutes of technology and a number of private colleges. The universities offer academic degree courses of three and four years duration which usually involve a lot of individual, private study. The ITs provide more vocationally oriented, practical courses including certificate (usually of two years duration), diploma (typically three years) and some degree programmes (usually four years).

The universities, most of them which are far older than the ITs, are often seen by young people as being more glamorous and prestigious places. This is simply a form of misguided snobbery. The ITs offer some excellent courses, many of which almost guarantee jobs.

Most certificate courses now lead to diploma programmes and an increasing number of diplomas lead on to degrees. But you may find that you have to change college to pursue your add on-degree.

It's also possible to follow a degree course at one of the private colleges which usually admit people on lower points than those necessary to gain a place in the State sector. A number of these colleges are now included in the CAO system.

Of course, don't forget that, while third-level fees have been abolished in the State sector, fees - over £2,000 a year in most cases - still apply in the private sector.

When it comes to picking courses, it's vital that you opt for something in which you have an interest and for which you have an aptitude. You need to weigh up your strengths and weaknesses.

Few people enjoy the sight of blood but, if you are particularly squeamish, you should think twice about going for medicine or veterinary science. Similarly, no matter how high the salaries in the information technology sector get, if you don't like computers, you are unlikely to stay the course in a four-year computing degree.

While a technical or professional course may lead you directly into the security of a particular job, arts degrees still have their merits, especially if you haven't figured out what you want to do with your life for each year until retirement. Many employers are seeking people with the type of skills, such as writing and problem solving, which more focused courses do not necessarily provide.

In a rapidly changing and increasingly specialised jobs market, particular skills fall into and out of vogue rapidly and workers are constantly being retrained. In this environment, the arts graduate with a developed ability to think laterally, study individually and write coherently still has much to offer.

In every case you should try to study subjects that you know (or expect) you will enjoy. Enjoying study may seem like an alien concept at the moment but, given the right choice, it can happen. No matter how hard the late night revision got, this history student still fell into bed murmuring a silent prayer of thanks that he hadn't opted for a degree in economics or biochemistry.

Another result of doing a subject you are positive about is that you are more likely to get better results. Gone are the days when any degree was your passport to a good job. Today bluechip companies and most post-grad courses will be looking for at least a 2:1 degree or some very good explanations.

Selectors for jobs and courses will also be looking for some evidence of a personality and a good way of displaying how wonderful you are is to have joined, participated and enjoyed a number of societies and clubs in college. As well as improving your employment chances, these are also likely to provide you with fun, cheap drink, a certain degree of healthy activity and friends for life.