What happens to someone who has spent three or four years working towards a degree in arts or the sciences only to discover that what he or she really wants is a career in business? Some may be lucky enough to find a broad-minded employer who accepts that their qualifications in astro-physics or Old English may ultimately assist them in selling diamonds or trading pork bellies, but for many, making the leap from one discipline to the other is not easy.

Practically all of the transition options involve further study of some sort and master's programmes in particular would involve a huge amount of "catch up" slogging for any non-business studies graduate offered a place.

Recognising that this was a big problem, Pat McGarty, head of business and social studies at Athlone IT took one of the college's existing, part-time diploma courses and restructured it to fill the gap. It would be unfair to describe the programme as a "crash course," but McGarty has packed six core subjects subjects into the year, including financial and cost accounting, MIS, marketing and business law.

"The working environment has changed so much that people need a much broader range of skills than before to survive and get on," McGarty says. "The Irish education system turns out many skilled technical graduates but the business skills dimension is missing. One comes across people with an aptitude for business or a very good business idea which they can't progress further because they lack the financial or enterprise development know-how they need.

"We identified this skills deficit and this course was designed to fill the gap. Initially, we offered the course to those already in work who wanted to improve their business skills. This was a part-time course. Having seen how well it was received, we decided to offer it fulltime as a one-year national diploma in management studies and we took in our first group of students last year. The next intake will be in September."

Myriam Hooper , 23, is an arts graduate from UCD with a degree in archaeology and philosophy. "There are not too many jobs going in archaeology or philosophy," she says, "so I decided that I should look at going into business on the marketing side. But I wasn't sure how I was going to do this with my background.

"I heard about the course and decided that something for a year was ideal - I really didn't want to spend another two years doing a master's. I had some experience of computers and some experience of working in an office so I had an idea of what a career in business would involve."

She has found the course very beneficial. "We have definitely been given special treatment - the lecturers have taken time with us to make sure we all understand what's going on. I've been very happy with it."

Ursula Farrell , 25, is a chemistry graduate who went straight from college into a job in the research department of Schering Plough. From there she moved to UCD as a researcher and has also worked with the Midland Health Board.

"The big problem with research is that it's all contract work, so you don't know what's going to happen when your contract is up in three months, six months or a year," she says. "I've reached a point where I want a permanent job and I don't mind if it has nothing to do with my degree. I'm prepared to forego that. I'd be interested in marketing as a career or perhaps in sales where my degree might be helpful, but I'm not hung up on that.

"I felt the course would fill in the gaps for me and help me get on the career ladder proper. The course has been very good. We've been given individual attention. I found it very interesting because it was all completely new."

Paul Mcdonald , 22, has recently completed a graduate diploma in construction (civil works) at Athlone IT. He decided that he needed the business studies course as an adjunct to his professional training.

"Most people who do the diploma in construction go directly into industry," he says. "The option is open to me to work as something like a site clerk. "But, if I ever wanted to work on a contract or to work more on the business side of the industry, then the business studies course would be very beneficial. I haven't decided what my next move will be. I will probably work for a few years and then go back to college and do the extra time required for the degree course in construction."

Therese Lowry , 22, studied analytical chemistry at Athlone and decided to come onto the business studies programme directly after graduation. "I had a two-week work placement in Elan and I hated it," she says. "I very quickly realised that I didn't want to do lab work and that I didn't want a job directly related to chemistry. I quite like the idea of working as a sales rep, maybe with a pharmaceutical company where my background would be useful. But I'm leaving my options open. I'm going to New York for the summer to a sales job and I'd like to work in the US for a few years to get experience. So I think I'll be applying for a visa to do that. Eventually, though, I'd like to come home to work.

"I have enjoyed the business studies course. We were given a lot of time by the lecturers. There was no hassle asking questions or saying you didn't understand something. We were a small group so we also made good friends and got to know each other which was really nice."

Ted Lynch left a full-time job to go on the business studies course. "I had been working on the production side in a food company for a number of years and I felt I had been doing the same thing for a long time and needed a change.

A graduate in food science, Lynch hopes that the course will assist him towards a career in management. "I saw the course advertised and talked to the people in Athlone about it before committing myself. It sounded right for me and I've been pleased with how it has worked out.

"The course material has been well balanced between finance, management practice and theory and it was very useful to gain insights into subjects such as international marketing and current best management practice. I think the course will help me move in a different direction. It has improved my communications skills. I feel happy about working with a balance sheet now and we've also touched on IT. So, all in all, it's been a year well spent."

Getting on the course

Those interested in applying for the full-time course at Athlone IT should make their applications to the college admissions office by July 1st. Fees are £800 for the year. The diploma is also on offer part-time and is open to those already working with or without formal business qualifications. The course is being run at Bord na Mona's Newbridge office and information is available either from Kevin Gavin, group human resources manager at Bord na Mona - phone (045) 439214 - or from Nuala McGuinn at Athlone IT - phone (0902) 24558.