​It’s that time of year again.

If you’re in sixth year the ‘what do you want to do next year?’ question has inevitably been fired your way more times than you’d like. 

As someone who didn’t have a clue what they wanted to do after the leaving, I hated this question. All I knew finishing sixth year was that I wanted a place on a level eight course at an Irish university.

Why? I think I felt that this was what I was supposed to be aiming for. It was what my friends were aiming for. A default course choice if you will.

I had an interest in music and languages so I ended up studying Italian and music at UCC. I liked my undergrad but I do think there were other post leaving cert options that I would have equally enjoyed.

Over the past few years, I’ve met people who took completely different paths to me after secondary school. These individuals gained great skill sets, knowledge and work experience and have ended up in jobs they love.

These alternate routes may not be ones your friends or family have taken so they might not be options you’ve considered while trying to figure out your next step.

1. Level 5, 6 & 7 Courses  
Level 8 courses are not your only option.

There are SO MANY brilliant level 5, 6 and 7 courses often overlooked by students.

I remember discovering Ballyfermot College of Education a few years after my leaving. They offer courses in the areas of media and marketing that look amazing.
 
I’ve ended up working in these two areas and probably had an inkling at school that these they were areas I really liked. However, I only had my sights set on level 8 courses at the time and the points for many media and marketing courses seemed a bit out of my reach.
 
Many level 5, 6 and 7 courses are only one or two years long. This allows students to try out a subject they have an interest in. If you enjoy the course, you might decide to further your education in that specific subject area. If you don’t like it, you haven’t spent years and years studying something that you don’t enjoy.

2. Apprenticeships
Another study route that is often overlooked by students are apprenticeships. Apprenticeships allow students to earn while they learn.

While a lot of us are familiar with traditional apprenticeships like plumbing and carpentry, there’s also loads apprenticeships available to students in the areas of finance, IT, engineering and biopharmachem.

If you think an apprenticeship would suit you and your style of learning, check out apprenticeship.ie.  
 
The following options may have been a little more feasible before Covid-19 hit, as the outbreak may affect the availability of jobs and people’s ability to travel in the coming weeks and months.

3. Work for a year
Don’t know what you’d like to study? Want to save up for college or get a bit of work experience to help you figure out your next step?

Working for a year after your leaving cert might be a good option.

For example, a recent guest on the podcast Alan O’Mara finished school at 17 and worked at a local newspaper for a year before heading to college to study journalism.

Just another option to consider.

4. Au Pairing
Did you enjoy studying a foreign language at school? Like working with kids?

If you’re not sure about starting college this year or need a bit of time to decide what you’d like to study, au pairing might be a good option for you.

I au paired for a family in Italy during one of my summer breaks in college. I really improved my spoken Italian and enjoyed learning about Italian culture. The family treated me as one of their own and I’m still in regular contact with them.

In my opinion, there’s no better way to learn or improve your foreign language skills than truly immersing yourself in another country with a native family.

Kids tend to use simple words and talk slowly when speaking their own language, so they actually make it somewhat easier for you to improve your language skills while you spend time taking care of them. 

While it can vary between families, au pairs are generally asked to work 5 days a week and get evenings and weekends off. Weekends off allow au pairs to explore their local area, meet up with other au pairs and locals or travel to other regions within the country.

5. Workaway
Workaway might be another option to consider if you you’re not entirely sure what you want to do after school and want to give yourself a bit more time to decide.

Workaway offers individuals the opportunity to work with a host family, organisation, company etc. for a period of time.

If there’s an area you have a specific interest in (carpentry, social media marketing, IT, painting etc.) there are numerous opportunities to work in these areas. Alternatively, if you want to try your hand at something completely new, Workaway is also a good shout.

Workers are typically given food and board in place of payment for their work (payment is only provided by some hosts) and the hours can vary depending on the person orgroup you are working for.

Many individuals use Workaway to experience new cultures and to work alongside people from a range of countries. Shorter hours and free weekends allow you to explore the area you’re working in and do a bit of travelling too.

For more info check out Workaway.
 
Teach English Abroad with TEFL
Like the idea of teaching but not absolutely sure it’s the study route you want to take? Want to teach English while living abroad?
 
Why not get your TEFL certification and head away for a while.
 
The TEFL certification makes it a bit easier to find jobs as you’ll be considered a well-qualified candidate with the TEFL certification under your belt.
 
Look, deciding what to do after the leaving is hard. There’s no doubt about it.

I know it’s easier said than done but don’t be afraid to go your own way.

In my opinion, there can be a slightly snobbish culture in Ireland surrounding college and course choices. Instead of choosing a course and college that suits their interests and style of learning*, students often feel compelled to pick a course and college that others hold in high esteem - be it friends, parents, siblings, teachers, aunts, uncles etc.

Find a course that you feel passionate about. Then pick the college. That’s what I think anyway. No point ending up in a college with all your friends but absolutely hating your course, is there?

Finally, if college isn’t for you that’s absolutely fine. Don’t feel pressure to go if you don’t feel it’s right for you. Think about other avenues you might like to pursue and go from there.  

Hope you found this helpful,
Maeve.

*Finding a course that suits your style of learning is so important. If you're not overly academic, courses that encourage students to learn through practical, hands on projects might be a better fit for you than courses that expect students to learn through writing lots and lots of academic essays etc. If you're interested in a course, be sure to look at all the modules on offer, how students are assessed ect. and contact the course coordinator if you want to learn more about a specific course. Don't be afraid to contact course coordinators - they want students to apply for their courses so they'll be happy to answer any question you might have! Contact details can usually be found on course and college department websites. 

 
Do you have some free time on your hands at the moment? Looking for a productive way to switch off? 

Now might be a good time to sign up for free online course. Whether you'd like to improve your well-being by taking a course in meditation or you'd like to study a subject that would allow you to make a career change, there's loads of free online courses to choose from. 

1. Solas
Solas, Ireland's Further Education and Training Authority, have announced that all ecollege courses are temporarily free of charge for individuals over the age of 16 in response to the Corona Virus situation. Software development, digital marketing and project management are just some of the many areas Solas provide courses in.
​ 
It's worth checking out the full list of courses here.

2. Business Specific Courses 
HubSpot have compiled a list of 60 free business courses here that might be of interest to you. From coding, to SEO, to graphic design, there's sure to be something on this list that you'd like to learn more about. 

3. Mooc 
Ever heard of the term Mooc? It's short for Massive Open Online Course - free online courses available to anyone with internet access. These courses are offered by a range of course providers, including the likes of like Harvard, MIT, Berklee and Stanford.

There's Moocs out there to appeal to everyone's interests. Check out the lists of courses here, here and here. A quick google will lead you to loads of other Mooc providers too. 

4. The Library
Last month Irish Libraries announced that they're currently offering all members of the public free online access to thousands of ebooks, newspapers and magazines while the government's Corona Virus restrictions are in place. Signing up with the library online also grants you access to a wide range of free online courses. So whether you've been thinking about taking up french for years or you'd like to learn more about mediation and psychology, now's your chance. 

I'd put off joining the library for ages but when I signed up last week I was so impressed with the amount of resources instantly available to me. 

Side note. Almost any magazine you can think of is available for free:
Vogue
Glamour
​Elle
Women's Health
National Geographic
Forbes
The Economist
Men's Health
The list is endless...

Join the in the library here (it takes 5 minutes).
Once your signed up use this page for clear directions on how to access all the library services.

5. Improve your typing

Never had the chance to learn how to type properly? Want to learn how to type faster and more efficiently? 

Here's loads of links to free online typing classes.

If you know of other free courses out there that I haven't mentioned above, feel free to pop them in the comment section below. 

I decided to study Italian alongside music at college as part of my arts degree. In general, I enjoyed studying this subject. However, there were a few things I learned during my time studying Italian that I think prospective language students should consider before applying for any language course.

While I had a hard look at all the modules that the music department offered students before choosing to study music at UCC, I didn’t really take the time to suss out the kind of modules the Italian department offered students, nor did I speak to anyone who had previously studied Italian at UCC.

Since graduating, I have talked to a lot of students and graduates who like me, dived head first into studying a language at university without having a proper look at the course structure or the modules on offer.

While I did enjoy the overall experience of studying Italian at University, I personally found that there was a lot of emphasis on Italian culture, history and literature modules which involved lots of learning off of material when it came to exam time. Don’t get me wrong studying the culture, history and literature associated with the language your learning is both important and for the most part quite interesting. However, in my experience, I felt that there was sometimes more of an emphasis put on these kinds of modules than there was on speaking or writing the language.

While some people really enjoy learning about Italian literature, culture and history, I personally would have preferred spending more time learning how to write and speak Italian. Therefore, depending on your interests, I’d definitely recommend having a look at the modules and course structure of language subjects offered by various universities, institutes of technology, colleges of further of education etc. before choosing which ones you’d like to apply for.

If you’re considering studying a language at college, it’s also definitely worth checking if the course you’re interested in offers students the opportunity to do an Erasmus. I had the option to do an Erasmus as part of my course at UCC. I personally opted to stay in Cork instead of going on Erasmus as there were a few music modules that I wanted to pursue that were only available to me during that specific year. However, I know my classmates who did Erasmus really enjoyed it and benefited massively from the experience.

Even if you decide not do an Erasmus, studying a language at college can also make you an ideal candidate for au pairing or teaching abroad during your summer holidays or after you graduate.

I realise that at this time of year when students are making their final decisions with regards to their CAO, they often choose institutions that appeal to them over courses that would really suit them. While certain institutions may seem more attractive and popular than others, I think it’s really important to apply for courses that offer modules that you have a genuine interest in. Obviously you’re going to have to do some modules that you’re not mad about. That’s just the reality of most college courses. However, do make sure that for the most part, the modules on offer appeal to you.

It’s also worth noting the way different courses assess students. Some courses and colleges are big into continuous assessment whereas others are quite exam focused. For example, some courses require students to do a mix of group assignments, project work, work placement etc. while others might assess students mainly through exams. Take time to think about how you learn best and look at courses that will cater to your style of learning.

Finally, if a particular course peaks your interest but it’s in a different college than the one all your friends are planning to go to, I’d really urge you to apply for it anyway. I know starting a new course in a college where you know nobody may seem daunting, but it can also be really enjoyable and rewarding in lots of different ways!

5 Quick Tips:

1. Check out the modules and course structure of the language course you’re interested in.
2. Some courses and colleges are big into continuous assessment whereas others are quite exam focused. Take time to think about how you learn best and look at courses that will cater to your style of learning.  
3. Talk to someone who has previously studied the course you’re interested in.
4. Contact a college if you want to find out more information about a course. Ask if you can speak to a member of the language department. In general, they are always happy to speak with prospective students!
5. Don’t dwell on what colleges your friends are going to or what courses they have applied for. Apply for a course that is best suited to you. 
6. Don't just look at language courses in universities. Check out the language courses on offer in institutes of technology,  college's of further education etc. 

I studied music and Italian at University College Cork for my undergraduate degree, a BA in Arts-Music. Several secondary school students have asked me since if I’d recommend studying music at college level. Therefore, I thought I’d pen down some of the advice and tips I’ve given them.

Tip #1 - Pick the right kind of course

Some music courses look for students who play or sing a certain genre of music while other colleges look for students from a variety of musical backgrounds. I recommend you look at a courses website and specifically the modules they offer to students before applying for any course.

While you might play the classical violin and want to attend a music course that offers expert tuition in this area, I’d recommend having a look at the full spectrum of modules that a college course provides. While it’s great to take modules led by highly trained teachers in your area of interest, studying music at college is a great opportunity to also take up new instruments, explore and experiment with new genres and collaborate with musicians you might not typically think of working with.

In my experience, I felt that the UCC music department was quite liberal and offered a broad range of modules that really appealed to me. Furthermore, they didn’t really seem to place an emphasis on pushing one genre of music in particular and therefore I felt it was an ideal place for me to develop musically.

To learn more about a specific course, I would also recommend talking to someone who has completed the course you’re interested in,  going to an open day at the college or talking to the director of a course (via email, phone, in person etc.).

Tip #2 - Decide if you want to study music on its own or with another subject

I decided to study Italian alongside music in college as I felt it would give me more options career wise after I’d graduated. While I haven’t used Italian in any jobs to date aside from when I au paired in Italy, I still have it in my back pocket if I want to use it as part of a job in the future. If you’re someone who is a little unsure or nervous about studying music as a single subject in college, I’d definitely recommend doing it as part of an arts degree so that you can study music and another subject during your time at college.    

Tip #3 - Find out if music lessons are subsidised

When looking around at different music courses, it’s worth checking out whether music lessons are subsidised for students. College can be expensive, so it’s really helpful if a music course is willing to cover some of the costs of your music lessons. I can’t remember exactly how music lessons worked in UCC, weather they were partly or fully subsidised, but we definitely got a contribution towards music lessons during our time at the college, which was fantastic.

For anyone considering studying music in Cork, I’d definitely recommend checking out Voiceworks. They provide vocal and instrumental lessons to students who are interested in a range of musical genres. I went to Voiceworks for singing lessons during my time at UCC.
 
Tip #4  - Understand the positive impact that self-discipline can have on your music

I didn’t have as many class hours as some of my friends who studied subjects like food science or medicine. Therefore, I had a lot of free time between lectures. If you use this free time wisely, you can really spend quality time improving your technique, expanding your repertoire, exploring new genres and collaborating with other musicians.

When you start college, you gain a massive amount of independence and freedom. For many students, it can be difficult find the self-discipline to make valuable use of this time. I’m not going to advise music students to spend every free hour they have in the music department. Let’s be realistic, students want to go out, sleep in and try other things outside of their academic courses. However, I would advise music students to dedicate some of their free time to work on developing their musical knowledge and skills.

When studying music at college level you’ll likely have creative classmates and knowledgeable lecturers, as well as decent practice facilities. Make the most of these things while you have them - not just during class, but in your own free time too. It took me a while to cop on to this after starting my degree. Try to recognise this from the beginning and you really will reap the rewards!
 
Tip #5 - Find out what the application process for each course involves and apply on time

It’s important to note that many music courses hold auditions and entrance exams for prospective students well in advance of the Leaving Cert. Most colleges hold auditions and entrance exams at different times so I’d advise you to contact your college of interest for specific entry requirements and application deadline dates. Again, the entry requirements and application deadline dates for music courses can vary, so get in contact with individual colleges for relevant information. Some deadline dates can be as early as the end of January or the beginning of February, so do make sure you check these dates!

The thought of prepping for auditions and entrance tests for a college music course can be daunting, particularly when you’re busy studying for the Leaving Cert. However, prep for these exams can really compliment the study that you are already doing for your Leaving Cert music practical and written exams. If you use the same performance pieces for your audition as you plan to use for your Leaving Cert music practical, you’re essentially killing two birds with one stone. Furthermore, the written entrance tests for music courses are usually theory based (although entrance exam content can vary from college to college – so inquire with each college on this). As I only took up music in fourth year in school, music theory was not really my strong point. However, I found that studying theory for college entrance tests really improved my overall understanding of it, which really helped me out in my Leaving Cert music written exam in June.
 
Tip #6 – Apply for more than one music course

If there are a few music courses that you're interested in, I’d advise you to apply for all of them. I didn’t get accepted into all of the music courses I auditioned and completed entrance tests for, but I did get accepted into some of them. If you have a bad experience doing an entrance test and audition for one course, don’t let that put you off going for other music courses you like!

Tip #7 – Go for it!

Finally, if you really like the idea of studying music I’d really encourage you to go for it. Don’t waste your time and money doing a course that you really don’t think you will enjoy in college. I know there can be pressure on students to do certain courses that will provide solid job opportunities after college. However, I believe that life’s too short to spend three or four year’s doing a course that makes you miserable. If you’re worried about job opportunities after college, don’t dwell on what you won’t get from a music degree. Instead, think about what you’ll gain. In my case, studying music helped me to develop a creative and critical mind-set which I now apply to my work in marketing.

I hope this post has been a little helpful!

Maeve.

For info on my music course at UCC: 
​https://www.ucc.ie/en/music-theatre/music/  

Other music courses around Ireland include:
https://csm.cit.ie/college
http://www.dit.ie/conservatory/
https://www.bcfe.ie/courses-department/music/
https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/music
https://www.wit.ie/courses/school/humanities/department_of_creative_and_performing_arts/
https://www.irishworldacademy.ie/programmes/
https://www.tcd.ie/creative-arts/music/
http://www.ucd.ie/music/study/
https://www.dcu.ie/theology_philosophy_music/index.shtml#
https://www.dkit.ie/courses/school-of-informatics-and-creative-arts.html?asId=as0
https://www.bimm.ie/dublin/
Use Qualifax (http://www.qualifax.ie/) to find more music courses that I may not have included in the list above. Feel free to comment about music courses you would recommend to prospective students!

​Job hunting can be a little stressful at times, especially during the strange period we find ourselves in at the moment.

To make the process a tiny bit easier, I've updated a blog post on useful jobs sites that I wrote last year. I've included some more sites that I've come across in recent days which might make the job hunting process a little easier for anyone struggling to find work at the moment.

Whether you’re looking for a full time role or a part time job, the following 18 job site links might offer up some interesting options that you can apply for.

1.Irish Job Fairy:
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/irishjobfairy?lang=en
Facebook:
​https://www.facebook.com/dublinjobfairy/
2.Indeed:
https://ie.indeed.com/
3.Monster:
https://www.monster.ie/
4.Irish Jobs:
https://www.irishjobs.ie/
5.Jobbio:
https://jobbio.com/
6.Bounce Back (a new site purposely created by Jobbio to get people back to work who have lost jobs as a result of the Corona Virus)
https://bounceback.careers/
7.Jobs.ie:
​ https://www.jobs.ie/
8.Public Jobs
https://publicjobs.ie/en/
9.Simply Hired:
https://www.simplyhired.ie/
10.Recruit Ireland:
https://www.recruitireland.com/
11.Jobs Ireland:
https://www.jobsireland.ie/en-US/home
12.Career Jet:
https://www.careerjet.ie/
13. Glass Door:
https://www.glassdoor.ie/index.htm
14.Grad Ireland:
https://gradireland.com/
15.Active Link:
https://www.activelink.ie/content/vacancies (care/non-profit related jobs)
16.The Wheel:
https://www.wheel.ie/jobs (care/non-profit related jobs)
17. LinkedIn: Search for jobs on LinkedIn. I think LinkedIn is underrated as a jobs site. I managed to get a marketing job through LinkedIn in the past.  If you’re job hunting I think it’s a good idea to set up a LinkedIn profile for yourself. It’s a great way to sell yourself to potential employers, keep up with industry trends and network with like minded people.
18. Sign up for the HSE's Be On Call for Ireland initiative 
Who can sign up?
-Healthcare professionals
-Students studying to become healthcare professionals
-Individuals who have no background in healthcare but feel that they have skills that may be of help or just want to volunteer in some way.  Sign up Here.  

Have you used any useful websites that I haven’t mentioned above? If so, feel free to mention them in the comment section below and I’ll be sure to add them to the list.
​

Most college students are lucky enough to have three or four glorious months off each year for the duration of their degrees. While it's common for students to pick up part time work over the summer months in their locality at home, these precious months are also a prime time to try out a variety of experiences both at home and abroad.  

Don’t forget that it can sometimes be the non-academic details on your CV like au pairing for three months in Alicante, working in Lego Land on the west coast of America or teaching water sports in an Irish college that can be great talking points in interviews down the road! 

In my experience, many employers look at your non-academic achievements and experiences to get a good sense of your overall character. Plus, the following suggestions will allow you to meet new people, discover foreign cultures and learn a lot about yourself along the way…

1. Au Pairing
Studying a language in college or want to learn a new language abroad? There’s no better way to learn or improve your foreign language skills than truly immersing yourself in another country with a native family.

Kids tend to use simple words and talk slowly when speaking their own language, so they actually make it somewhat easier for you to improve your language skills while you spend time taking care of them. 

While it can vary between families, au pairs are generally asked to work 5 days a week and get evenings and weekends off. Weekends off allow au pairs to explore their local area, meet up with other au pairs and locals or travel to other regions within the country.

I au paired for a family in Italy during one of my summer breaks in college. I really improved my spoken Italian and enjoyed learning about Italian culture. The family treated me as one of their own and I’m still in regular contact with them!

For more info check out:  
https://www.aupairworld.com/en
 
2. Work and travel with a J1 Visa
Some say that going on a J1 is a rite of passage that every student should experience at least once in their life. While it’s not for everyone, many students apply for the visa every year.

The J1 Summer Work Program Visa typically provides individuals with the opportunity to work in a foreign country for the summer period.  Students get to experience living and working in a new environment. If they don’t go too mad in their first few weeks and manage their money well, students often spend a few weeks travelling towards the end of their stay. America and Canada have without a doubt become the most popular J1 destination choices in recent years amongst Irish students.

For more info check out: 
https://www.usit.ie/
 
3. Workaway
Workaway offers individuals the opportunity to work with a host family, organisation, company etc. for a period of time. If there is an area that you have a specific interest in (carpentry, social media marketing, IT, painting etc.) there are numerous opportunities to work in these areas. Alternatively, if you want to try your hand at something completely new, Workaway is also a good shout!

Workers are typically given food and board in place of payment for their work (payment is only provided by some hosts) and the hours can vary depending on the person/group you are working for.

Many individuals use Workaway to experience new cultures and to work alongside people from a range of countries. Shorter hours and free weekends allow you to explore the area you’re working in and do a bit of travelling too.

For more info check out: 
https://www.workaway.info/
 
4. Teach English Abroad with TEFL
Love the idea of teaching English while living abroad? Why not get your TEFL certification and be gone! The TEFL certification makes it a bit easier to find jobs as you will be considered a well-qualified candidate with the TEFL certification under your belt.
 
5. Interrailing
Fancy exploring some of the best spots in Europe this summer? Try interrailing! Visit Lake Bled in Slovenia, Paris, Amsterdam - the list of amazing European destinations is endless!
 
More of a homebird or low on funds?
If you are uncomfortable with the idea of travelling too far afield over the summer months, or you simply don’t have the funds to do so this year, there are plenty of other options closer to home that you can consider:
 
6. Put your Irish to good use
Are you an Irish language lover and an adventure sports enthusiast? You might want to consider some of the jobs available in Irish Colleges around the country.  College’s such as Coláiste UISCE place a large emphasis on water and adventure sports as part of their summer programs and are often on the hunt for teachers in these areas.

For more info, check out: 
​https://uisce.ie/jobs/
 
7. Volunteer with local organisations
It’s easy to overlook the impressive variety of local organisations that offer so much support and entertainment to many communities around the country. If you find yourself spending the summer months at home, why not get in contact with some of these organisations to see if they could use your help with events or festivals they may be running over the summer months. Jobs you might find yourself involved in may include a variety of administrative tasks, event planning, promotions and much more! When I spent a summer at home in Kilkenny during college, I volunteered for the Kilkenny Arts Festival. I was given a range of tasks to carry out everyday and met lots of really interesting artists and musicians. 

If you’re a big festival head and over 18, Electric Picnic and Ireland’s newest festival All Together Now are always looking for volunteers! Keep an eye on their websites and social media pages for more info.

Electric Picnic:  
https://www.electricpicnic.ie/
All Together Now: 
https://www.alltogethernow.ie/
 
8. Learn a musical instrument
Not taking the time to learn a musical instrument is a pretty common regret among a lot of people. So if you have a little free time this summer why not try learn an instrument.
​
Don’t have an instrument of your own? Ask family, friends or neighbours if they have one that you might be able to borrow for a few weeks over the summer.

Music lessons too expensive? If you find that music lessons are out of your budget, there are tons of really good video tutorials on YouTube that are a perfect place to start your musical journey.

Summer is a time to try out new things or explore and gain more experience in areas you already have an interest in. So what are you waiting for... Start planning your summer now! 

If you've spent your summers doing something that you feel other students would be interested in, feel free to mention it in the comment section below.