COLLEGE CHOICE: MANY STUDENTS, while delighted to receive a college offer, are anxious about the costs involved in attending third level. The €2,000 student contribution fee – plus substantial accommodation and living costs – represents a significant burden, particularly for thousands of families whose income is just outside the upper limit for grant entitlement.
It would not surprise me if many students opted to defer their place this year because of this financial pressure. Many will opt to work full-time for the year in order to save some money – if they can find a job, that is.
The problem for these students is that things will probably get worse before they get better. The Government may increase the €2,000 student contribution charge again next year. And there is increasing speculation that fees may be on the way back.
What employers want
As we saw when the places were offered on Monday, many students who secured very good Leaving Certificate grades have responded to the call by both the Government and employer representative bodies to apply for places on science, computer and technology courses alongside those in the agriculture and food sector. However, if students starting these courses over the coming weeks think there will be jobs waiting for them when they graduate, they may be sorely disappointed.
Many of the major employers in the high-technology sector spoke recently at an Engineers Ireland conference about their difficulty in recruiting suitably qualified staff to fill up to 5,000 positions. They stressed how they now demand more than just good technology qualifications.
Employers also want strong foreign language skills, alongside good communications and presentation skills. They are also seeking candidates who can generate sales.
The message from the high-tech industry is clear: simply doing well in college examinations is not a ticket to secure employment following graduation.
Alongside attending your lectures and tutorials/practicals, you will have to involve yourself fully in the many opportunities that college life offers. This will help you develop the range of other skills that employers are demanding.
How to balance your student life
The dilemma for many students is that they may be forced to forego involvement with the non-academic side of college life in order to earn the funds to get through college in the first instance.
The first few weeks of college life can be particularly daunting as you seek to juggle academic, social and financial pressures.
Many students say they can feel isolated in college – even as they walk down corridors packed with excited fellow undergraduates. This is not an uncommon experience, and staff at all colleges are very mindful of this.
All colleges provide a wide range of student support services. Some of them are organised and provided by the college authorities while others are offered by students’ unions. Clubs and societies can also play a particularly important support role.
New students can often feel intimidated about looking for help and support if they feel lost and a little overwhelmed by the whole experience. If you hold back and don’t seek the available help, you may find yourself drifting away from your studies, and eventually dropping out.
My advice: take your courage in your hands and seek whatever support you need. College is a wonderful adventure which will transform your life and set you up to enter the employment market with a wide and diverse range of both academic and non-academic skills.
Enjoy the journey.
HELPLINE: 1800 946 942
EMAIL: advice@irishtimes.ie
Brian Mooney is guidance counsellor at Oatlands College Dublin
