I feel like this question is always what worries both students and their parents most of all.
If you don't go to University, will you still get a good job?
Can you have a successful career after attending a College of Further Education?
Will you be employable without a UNI degree?
In short, the answer is yes. You can have a successful career after attending a College of Further Education.
But you didn't select this article for a short answer, so fear no more, the whole reason I write this piece is to answer as many of these questions as possible. But let me start by reminding you that there is no age limit on education, you don't have to attend university straight out of school or at all if it's not right for you, and it's still possible to lead a financially stable and happy life.
It's always a good idea to sit down and make a pros and cons list of what you do and don't want. Knowing how you want to approach your further education is important. Because for the first time in your life, it really is up to you, so take some time, start a journal figure out what you're passionate about and follow your dreams. Because they say if you work at what you love you never really work a day in your life, every day is pure joy.
"Map out your future - but do it in pencil. The road ahead is as long as you make it. Make it worth the trip."
- Jon Bon Jovi
The Importance of Education and Career Goals
It is so important to have goals, ambition and passion are very important qualities to have in this life. It's important to know what kind of career you want to have and what kind of life you want to have for yourself someday. However, as the great Jon Bon Jovi says Map it out, but do it in pencil. Why? Because life is not an exact science, things change, and you cannot let that stop you or distract you, you must simply find a way through the hard times and enjoy the serendipitous moments.
My sister, when she was a teen, had a goal of being a manager in her job, owning a baby blue convertible, a house on the Galway coast, having two children and being married all by the age of 27.
Now, she's 29, a manager in one of the biggest companies in Ireland, has a very nice white car, and lives in a lovely house in Dublin, with a really great man. Her plan has changed a little but that's why you write it in pencil. Everything will happen, it might just happen a little later, or in a different colour or location than you planned.
"Enjoy the journey and try to get better every day. And don't lose the passion and the love for what you do."
- Nadia Comaneci
What I'm telling you is, while it is extremely important to set goals, as they keep you motivated and give you a target to reach for, don't be hard on yourself if your milestones happen at "the correct" stages along the way. Enjoy the road to success. This is your life, your journey, don't spend it filled with regret and disappointment. Remember, if one avenue i.e, that university doesn't work out for you, there is always another option, such as Further Education, or a Traineeship.
Jobs and Careers After Further Education
At any one time on websites such as Jobs.ie or Indeed.ie there are upward of 1,500 employment vacancies for people with a QQI level 5 or 6 Diploma.
A lot of the jobs advertised online seem to be in the healthcare areas such as:
- Childcare
- Carers
- Health Care Assistant
- Nurse Assistant
- Medical Receptionist
- Early Years Educator
Other jobs that appear online a lot for QQI qualifications:
- Bookkeeping
- Administration
- Beautician
- Marketing
- Motor Mechanic
- Social Media Marketing
These are just some of the roles that are regularly advertised on websites such as the ones mentioned above. It is important to remember that if you take a course such as Train the Trainer or a Traineeship where you are going to specifically qualify in an area where you will have done a lot of work placement such as those mentioned below:
- Agriculture, Horticulture and Mariculture
- Animal Science
- Business
- Construction
- Engineering
- Hospitality
- ICT
- Transport, Distribution and Logistics
- Manufacturing
- Media
- Retail
- Sports and Leisure
- Tourism
Many people end up getting full-time employment at the company they did their work experience in, some of these traineeships may take up to 2 years to complete, and if the employer is happy with the trainee's work and educational results they might offer a contract at the end of the traineeship.
Why Attend a Further Education College?
There are an endless amount of reasons why you should attend a college of Further Education but for me, it comes down to the following if you didn't get the points to get into University, or you've maybe had a lot of setbacks between leaving cert and your opportunity for higher education, I say Further Education is for everyone.
No matter your age or capability, your interests or passions, your life goals or your previous academic history, when it comes to Colleges of Further Education, there is a course for everyone.
There is also support available for everyone, maybe you need to resit maths? That's ok there are maths modules you can take. Maybe your written English isn't so great? If your tutors want to help you, ask them for advice!
You're entitled to an education in the area that you want, at any age. So please, just believe in yourself.
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