Career Advice - CAO due in 1 week

Making the heroic assumption that points are no object what is the best choice of University career from a financial perspective? I am aware that the financial perspective is only part of the decision, but the sort of questions I have in mind are:

What's the safest career from a financial perspective?

What is the potentially most lucrative?

What are the time lines in achieving financial success?

What are the up and coming careers of the future?

Which careers are getting past their sell by date?

I think you're asking all the wrong questions. Money won't bring you happiness. What do you REALLY want to do with your life (Answer in 300 words without referring to money).

Does your school have a career advisor and, if so, have you tried discussing the issue with him/her? The FAS career directions site might also be of some help in assisting you identify suitable careers for your skills and preferences.

www.careerdirections.ie/

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I wouldn't dismiss the finacial aspect out-of-hand either. Money won't make you happy but it takes the sting out of misery.

I think it's important to focus on the TYPE of work you might like (e.g. law, finance, health, science,etc) and to seek out an area within this type that represents a happy balance between your personal motivators and the necessity of paying the rent/mortgage.

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Also ... I wouldn't necessarily rush into choosing SOMETHING just because the CAO is due in a week. No offence but this is probably that should have been sorted long before now. However if the above advice and resources can help you clarify your thoughts, preferences, goals etc. and choose a suitable course or perhaps career then go for it. I too wouldn't necessarily prioritise money over other factors but it certainly makes sense to consider it as one factor among others. For some good quotes about money see here (scroll down):

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Personally I chose Engineering all those years ago because I thought it would be a good career financially (which it is!).

So if you have honours maths & 2 honours science subjects (I had physics and chemistry) and if you love those subjects, it's something to bear in mind.

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I am an Elec Eng grad from one of the main colleges from about 5 years ago. I know of at least 5 guys from my class who have got out of the industry cause they hated it.....thats 10% of my class in real terms..

Had I a choice back again I would have done accounting or pharmacy. Don't ask me why, but there you go.

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On reflection, if you're undecided, it might be better to choose something that won't limit your options in years to come.

For example, training to be a vet might (I don't know) give you good job prospects and a steady income, but would restrict your capacity to make career change down the line if it turned out to be a career you just didn't like.

Soemthing like law or accounting (and to a lesser extent engineering, etc) might offer more diverse options.

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You can't go too far wrong with Arts as long as you pick your subjects wisely.

A B.A. in Politics and Economics gives you a good grounding in all sorts of fields, and the hours are great. I remember in 3rd year my entire week had less lecture hours than any day in Engineering.

Economics was boring, politics was great, neither had any impact on any of my subsequent jobs, but I learned how to study, analyse and report.

z

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I can't believe I'm writing this but maybe accountancy is a good career option. If the economy is going well, companies need accountants to do the books. If the economy is doing badly, accountants are needed for the bankruptcies and insolvencies.

I'm obviously not an accountant since I can't spell bankruptcies or insolvencies!!

Sluice

choice

I've wondered about this myself, though more in terms of advice I'd give to youngsters.

If you don't know what you want to do, don't specialise too early. Have known medical doctors who wanted to get out of the field, unable to do so because every interviewer would say "But you're a doctor!"

But also knew girls in college who did Commerce cos that's were the boys were! (Dunno how they did in later life: prbably very well with accountant husbands keeping them in the high life! )

If you want to specialise later on, there are often short-cuts for those people with other, ?relevant qualifications, because of the abilities instilled to analyse (as mentioned above)

However, STEER CLEAR of traditionally female jobs as the salary will always be cr*p. Nursing, secretarial, reception......cna't think of others at the moment.

More free advice

Try to think about where you want to live in the future. There's not much call for shipbuilding in Slane, or Viniculture in Ventry. I would tend to echo the advise of keeping it general. It may reduce your short-term earning potential (directly post qualification) but in the medium term it usually is better I find.

I know quite a few people who trained in very specific roles, and found themselves aged thirty (or so) having to re-train because they hit a plateau in their careers or found that they wanted to return (to Ireland or "down the country")

Teaching is the interesting one, as it fits both categories, good for location (as everywhere needs teachers, not fairly restrictive on the career front) hope this is useful ... good luck

Viniculture in Ventry

Hi Nat,

Viniculture in Ventry

Click to expand...

Do you mean viticulture in Ventry? Viticulure is the cultivation of grapes.

Viniculture is the art of making wine. I know of people (alternative lifestyle types) in the west/south of Ireland who make a living making wine and cheese etc.

Viticulture in Ventry? ..... perhaps with global warming!

ajapale

Red Gown.

Science. My eldest son went down the route of becoming a scientist in UCD. Got his doctorate. Made lots of friends, many who are now working in all sorts of Universities, doing drug research in companies etc, all over the world. The government are pumping money in to this area at the moment so the prospects are good for the future. Ageing populations, new cures, better medicines. He has no regrets.

Re: Red Gown.

The problem with becoming a professional scientist is that, generally, one needs a PhD. You'll be 25 by the time you graduate and 30 by the time you get a full time job.

If you go down the university route, the money is ok but you don't get healthcare or a pension. You'll spend most of your time applying for grants and getting your students to do the work (This post will be deleted if not edited to remove bad language rolls downhill). Also, visit one of the scientists in the Conway Institute in UCD (outside of their public days) and look at the sort of office you'll spend the rest of your life in. The Conway is as good as it gets in Ireland!

If you go down the Pharma route, the money's better but this industry has a very specific skillset. Also, its highly regulated: eg you're only allowed to use a blue pen and not any other colour. There will very probably be a SOP on how to open the door!!!!

Sluice