With over 130 exhibitor stands and thousands in attendance, the Irish Times Higher Options conference in Dublin will have no shortage of futures for students to choose from, wherever their interests lie.
While the controlled chaos inside the Simmonscourt complex can be overwhelming for Learning Cert, Transition Year and Fifth Year students, the available guidance is an invaluable resource for those looking for advice on careers.
“It’s hard for kids who are16 and 17 to decide what they really want to do when they leave school,” said Christina Lyons, who is hoping to narrow down her focus in the arts. “Things like career guidance are an added bonus . It’s definitely a necessity.”
Along with opportunities to meet professors and professionals face-to-face, students are able to find out which college and courses will suit them best ahead of upcoming open days.
“The best piece of advice is just to get all of the information possible at this event,” said David Byrne, admission liaison officer at Trinity College, Dublin. “Find out every institution that offers the course you are interested in, then go away and do some research with the prospectuses.”
For those students looking to leave home and move abroad, organisations and colleges from a variety of countries are available along with representatives from Youth on the Move.
This European Commission initiative aims to assist students in finding education and work throughout Europe and to promote the idea of Europe as a common body with many different countries participating, according to Gerry O’Sullivan, head of European programmes at the Erasmus National Agency in Ireland.
“Students who spend some period of their education abroad, come back better educated, better skilled, more open to working both within Ireland and within other European countries with a multinational, multiethnic, multicultural environment,” Mr O’Sullivan said. “The personal development that they achieve during this period expands their horizons.”
The conference will continue daily until Friday, September 21st, from 9am to 3pm daily. Tickets are available at the door.