Have you ever sat in a Mowag Piranha armoured personnel carrier, or controlled a Hobo Bomb disposal robot? If not, then today is your chance as you tour the Higher Option Conference. These are just two of several interesting exhibits on the Defence Forces Stand.
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 help you make wise career decisions. It is possible to combine all of these aims by planning your visit so as to make optimum use of your day.
The Higher Options Conference is a unique event in that it is the only occasion when all Irish third-level institutions and their UK counterparts come together at the same venue. It's true to say that no matter what area of third-level education you are interested in you will find all the information you require on your visit here today. There is also the opportunity to meet young people from all over Ireland and to share information.
In third-level education there is a course for everybody from the student who has a pass Leaving Certificate to those who reach the magical 600 points.
As far as the third-level colleges are concerned, all of the universities, the institutes of technology and the private colleges are here.
Then you have the fastest growing sector of all - the Post-Leaving Certificate 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, Naval Service, the Garda S∅ochβna, 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. You should have your own copy of the college literature. Reading the college prospectus will give you an insight into the structure of the course, the first year subjects and where graduates are likely to find employment.
Although there is a small decline in the number of Irish students going to UK colleges there is still a sizeable number of students interested in the UCAS option. If you are one of those considering applying to a UK college then you should not leave here today without all of the information you require.
Not only are personnel from UCAS in attendance but all of the more popular colleges to which Irish students apply are represented here. Check application dates to be sure which courses must be applied for before October 15th, and those covered by the general closing date of January 15th, 2002.
The UCAS system differs from the CAO in some important areas. There are two important areas that require consideration and careful planning. The first of these is the 'Personal Statement'. This is your chance of writing your own reference. You also require a reference from your school principal.
You will be more familiar with the CAO process as it was so much in the news since the Leaving Certificate results came out in August. The CAO system gives you more scope for choice than UCAS. CAO covers degree/diploma/certificate courses as well as nursing, as opposed to six choices in the UCAS system. It is these extra choices that cause most problems to students.
They research their first few 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. Research all your options thoroughly.
Read the Handbook in its entirety. Ensure that your choices are in genuine order of preference. Check that you have the necessary faculty and special subject 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 with the belief that only the universities and the DIT have degree courses. They are agreeably surprised to learn of the range of degree courses in the Institutes of Technology and the 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 age of information technology be alert to the excellent websites available. Check the college websites, access databases such as Qualifax, Ecctis and UCAS. The CAO website was hugely popular this year from round one offers to the end of the process.
Once you have gathered all the information you require to apply to the courses of your choice do not forget to visit the stands which offer other forms of training.
Today the full range of courses available to young people is here under one roof. Make the most of your day. Your visit to the Higher Options Conference 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 as possible. These lectures cover important topics such as the UCAS and CAO application systems as well as a lecture on 'How to choose a career'.
These lectures will be held in the Concert Hall. The career talks cover 10 popular careers and are a must if you want to get some vital inside information from someone practising in that area. These will be held in the Industries Hall.
So, pace yourself during the day as there is a great deal to be covered in a short space of time.
