Your future starts here

You may have many reasons for visiting the Higher Options Conference - a day off school, a chance to socialise with other young people, or you may be keen to start your research to enable you to make wise career decisions. It's possible to combine all of these aims by planning your visit so as to make optimum use of your day.

The conference is a unique event in that it's the only occasion when all Irish third-level institutions and their British counterparts come together at the same venue. It's true to say that no matter what third-level area you are interested in you will find all the information you need on your visit here today. There is also the opportunity to meet young people from all over Ireland and to share information over a cup of coffee.

Third-level education today really does offer something for everybody, from the student who has a pass Leaving Cert to those who reach the magical 600 points.

As far as the third-level colleges are concerned you have all of the universities, the institutes of technology and the private colleges. Then you have the fastest growing sector of all - the Post-Leaving Cert colleges offering excellent courses with sometimes minimum entry requirements. To complete the picture there is a range of careers outside of the CAO such as the Aer Corps, the Naval Service, the Garda, the Army, CERT and a host of similar career opportunities.

One of the most important factors in choosing a career is to start with having all the available, up-to-date information. There is no excuse for not having your own copy of the college literature - it will give you an insight into course structure, the first-year subjects and where graduates are likely to find employment.

Although there is a small decline in the number of students from the Republic going to colleges in Britain and Northern Ireland, there is still a sizeable number of students interested in the UCAS option. If you are one, you should not leave the RDS without all of the information you require.

Not only is UCAS in attendance but all of the most popular colleges to which students from the Republic apply are represented. Application dates all fall within the present term, so know which courses must be applied for before October 15th - the rest must be applied for by December 15th.

The UCAS system differs from the CAO in some important areas. There are two particular areas which many students leave to the last minute and their applications suffer accordingly. You will notice a section called the Personal Statement - this is your chance of really writing your own reference. There is also a Reference from your Principal - if a large number of students from your school decide to apply to UCAS it's only fair to give your form to the principal not later than after the midterm break.

You will be more familiar with the CAO process, it was so much in the news since the Leaving Cert results came out in August. The CAO gives you more scope for choice than UCAS, as CAO covers degree/ diploma/certificate courses as well as nursing from 2001 as opposed to six choices in the UCAS system.

It is these extra choices which cause most problems to students. They research their first three choices on each list well but they are then inclined to fill up the rest with choices they know little or nothing about.

Remember the CAO is designed to get you into college, not to keep you out. So give the system every chance of working for you. This means reading the handbook in its entirety, ensuring that your choices are in genuine order of preference and that you have the necessary faculty requirements.

Bear in mind that you may amass high points but, if you fail a faculty or a minimum grade requirement, you will not be offered a place.

One of the great benefits of the Higher Options conference is that it opens the eyes of students to the courses available in a variety of institutions. Many students come to the event believing that only universities and DIT have degree courses. They are agreeably surprised to learn of the range of degree courses in ITs and private colleges.

Neglect the PLC sector at your peril. This sector has seen some of the most exciting developments in further education. Many of the courses have been specifically designed to fill a void in the employment market, others are the first rung of the ladder to a degree programme. All of them stand alone as an excellent way of furthering one's education.

In this modern information age be alert to the excellent websites of the colleges - and databases such as Qualifax, Ecctis and UCAS.

Once you have gathered all the information you require to apply to the courses of your choice, don't forget to visit the stands of those who offer other forms of training.

At the Higher Options conference, the fully range of courses available to young people is brought together under one roof. Make the most of your day. Your visit should be the first step in planning your future after the Leaving Cert.

In planning your day try to fit in as many of the lectures and career talks that you can. The lectures include ones on the UCAS and the CAO systems as well as one on How to Choose a Career. The career talks cover 10 popular career areas and are a must if you want to get some vital inside information from someone practising in that area.

Pace yourself during the day, because there is a great deal to be covered and at the end of it all reward yourself with a visit to the canteen.