Search Results for 'Claire Murphy'

There are currently many CAO course choices available to students sitting the Leaving Certificate in 2026, and it can sometimes be difficult to keep up with all the new developments. However, it is extremely important for students to research both new and existing courses thoroughly to make informed career decisions.

Ireland has recently made a significant commitment to nurturing its creative sector, with increased funding for artists aimed at fostering sustainable careers and supporting emerging talent. The government’s Basic Income for the Arts scheme has been made permanent, providing financial stability to artists and enabling them to focus on their craft. Alongside this, expanded investment in arts education and development programmes ensures that the next generation of creatives—especially young people—have access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive.

As a Career Adviser with over 15 years experience, supporting many women wanting to return to the workforce, after leaving the workforce, I am delighted to support and attend this free interactive WorkEqual Employability Event.

Last year, there was a significant rise in the number of Irish students applying to study in the UK. This increase has been attributed to the ongoing housing crisis in Ireland and the difficulty many Irish students face in securing suitable accommodation. Many universities in the UK and Northern Ireland guarantee on-campus accommodation for first-year students, making them an attractive option for Irish applicants.

Now that many students have completed the Leaving Cert, it is an ideal time to reflect on their previous CAO choices and avail of the change of mind facility, based on anticipated exam results. The change of mind form is open until July 1 at 5pm and students can change their mind as many times as they like, up until this date, free of charge. No further CAO changes can be made after July 1. Students should avoid last minute changes to reduce any potential errors and complete the form well in advance of the deadline. It is important to note that courses marked as ‘restricted courses’ typically require assessments or interviews and must have been included in the original CAO application before the closing date of February 1, 2025. Students are therefore unable to apply to ‘restricted courses’ with the CAO change of mind facility.

While I would advise all Leaving Cert students to focus on their exams now, it is important that all students who have applied to the CAO before February 1 and are hoping to complete a level 6-9 course this year, are aware of both the CAO statement of application process and the SUSI grant scheme.

With just over five weeks until the start of the Leaving Cert, it is time to make the best use of your time to help alleviate stress, get organised and maximise your study strategies so that you can manage your time effectively for these last few weeks. Here are my top 10 tips to help you prepare in the five weeks leading up to the exams.

Now that you have completed the Leaving Cert, some of you may have had more time to reflect and think further about your CAO choices and you may possibly change your preferences and therefore want to complete the CAO Change of Mind form. The Change of Mind submission closing date is fast approaching and is closing on July 1, 2024 at 17:00. This online Change of Mind form allows those who have originally applied to a college or university through the CAO to alter or change the course preferences they originally submitted. The CAO Change of Mind form does not allow you to submit a new application if you have not previously applied. The Change of Mind form allows you to remove or reorganise your previous choices or add new courses with the exception of ‘restricted application’ courses. There is a list of these available at www.cao.ie.

While many Leaving Cert students have already submitted their CAO, there will still be time to fill out the change of mind form if they want to choose a different CAO course, but it is important to remember that you do not necessarily need to be tied to a career relating to your degree forever. Nowadays there is great flexibility, and opportunities for people to change their careers. Many students do get stressed trying to pick a CAO course or apprenticeship as they feel they will be locked into this job or career for the rest of their life. There are however many ways in which you can change direction, even straight after your degree or apprenticeship.

With more than 100,000 people employed in the Irish tech sector, and with many of the global tech leaders choosing to have their headquarters in this country, the tech industry here is booming. The Central Statistics Office has valued the IT industry in Ireland at over €241 billion. Dublin is home to Google, Meta, LinkedIn, and HubSpot, to name a few. Studying IT or computer science can offer a rewarding and exciting career. Nowadays, almost every company, whether it is an SME or a large multinational, has its own IT department, meaning that IT and computer science graduates can choose to work in a range of industries such as healthcare, banking, insurance and education. University of Galway, ATU, and TUS offer courses in information technology and computer science.