CAO figures suggest a preference among students for traditional courses such as teaching and medicine, writes Pamela Newenham
JOB OPPORTUNITIES and salary have topped the list of reasons given by Leaving Certificate students for their choice of college courses.
CAO figures published yesterday suggest a preference among students for traditional courses such as teaching and medicine, with points dropping in architecture, engineering, nursing, business and science.
Anne O'Reilly from Clonberne in Co Galway, a student at Glenamaddy Community School, received her first choice of law and accounting at the University of Limerick. She said she chose the course as it was very broad.
With fewer jobs now, "I wanted a course that would enable me to get work in many areas".
Alan Griffin from Gort in Co Galway, a repeat student at Yeats College in Galway, received his first choice of medicine at NUIG. He said he wanted a career with a lot of options and where the pay was good.
Ross O'Donnellan, also a student of Yeats College, agreed. "As well as being interested in the subject, money influenced my decision to choose law." He received an offer of law from Trinity College Dublin yesterday.
Gemma McInerney from Newmarket-on-Fergus, Co Clare, a student at St Caiman's Community School in Shannon, received her first choice of physical education at UL. She chose the course as has "a huge interest" in sport.
"PE is becoming more and more important in schools, so I think my job prospects will be good, especially considering I'm going to study English with it too."
Cathal Dunne, a student of Lucan Community College in Dublin, received his first choice of Business, Economics and Social Studies at TCD. He chose the course as he had a strong interest in the subjects and would like to work in banking or financial services.
"I think by the time I finish my primary degree the economy will be in recovery, so there will be plenty of job opportunities," he said.
Ailbhe White-Gibson from Castleknock, a student at the Institute of Education in Dublin, said the "job variety" influenced her decision to apply for courses in medicine. "You'll never get bored of a career in medicine," she said.
Ms White-Gibson said that salary wasn't a priority, though: "I would be very ambitious and while money is a factor, it would come second to my interest in medical sciences."
For many students, subject interest and the experience of college were the main factors influencing their course choices.
Ciarán Marshall of Coolmine Community School in Dublin said money or job prospects did not influence his decision.
"I've always liked engineering and technical drawing at school. I did work experience in an engineer's office and I liked it."
He has received a CAO offer of engineering at Dublin Institute of Technology.
Mark O'Sullivan, a student at Carrigaline Community School in Co Cork, chose recreation and leisure management at Cork Institute of Technology as it would provide a good background for joining the Army.
"Having a degree in college is a great help when applying for a cadetship," he said.
Cormac McCarthy, a student at St Fintan's CBS in Doon, Co Limerick, said he chose arts in UCC as "it's not the most difficult course, so I can enjoy the college experience". He would like to be a secondary school teacher, so the course would provide a good base degree for the H.Dip in education.
More than 46,000 Leaving Cert students received an offer from the CAO yesterday, an increase of 3 per cent on last year.