Deciding on which Leaving Cert subjects or third level course to take and which career path to pursue may seem a daunting and confusing task, but you have plenty of time to plan and prepare. We will support you through all the stages of the process. At this early stage of career planning, we discuss a wide range of choices to help you commence your career journey with an open mind. We aim to review all possible options for your career progression. We will then provide you with the scientific feedback, tools and techniques to help you to narrow down your options and preferences.
At this early stage of exploration, the goal may not to select the exact job, as the path you initially choose will most likely alter as you travel through your career. Remember that you are not committing yourself for life when you decide to select a course or start a job. The goal is to get your career journey started in the right direction, one that will give you the best range of future opportunities and satisfaction, while keeping an open mind to look for potential career development opportunities along the way.
We will work with you to:
- Develop greater levels of self-awareness using the Birkman Method Career Plus Method
- Develop criteria to review Leaving Cert subjects, 3rd level courses and career options, in order to form a basis for your decision making
- Review of the changing work environment, job market and educational institutions
- Build your current skill sets and focus on achieving part-time and temporary work
- Make final decisions and work through the University/College application process
1. Develop greater levels of self-awareness using the Birkman Career Plus Method
We will provide comprehensive feedback on your Birkman Career Plus profile to help match your interests, skills and needs with the many career options out there. The profile will also:
- Identify your personal qualities and skills
- Identify the skills you would most like to develop
- Give you insights to help you to improve your study and exam techniques
- Come up with ideas for future study and work
- Explore your likes and dislikes, personal supports and barriers, as well as your desired work environments, to get a clear sense of who you are, and what you want out of your future career
- Provide suggestions about the specific job categories and roles where you are most likely to flourish
2. Develop criteria to review Leaving Cert subjects, 3rd level courses and career options, in order to form a basis for your decision making
Before exploring your options, it is worth taking time to consider exactly what is of most importance to you, and what will benefit you the most in the future. This relates to your future career, the type of course you wish to study and the type of educational institution you want to attend. If you are coming out of transition year, you can also establish criteria, that will help you to decide on the specific range of Leaving Cert subjects you wish to study. Having this list of criteria established will make it much easier to make well informed decisions on the available options, that will match with your expected qualifications. Once you have a defined criterion, it is much easier to plan a career path that can meet your conditions.
3. A review of the changing work environment, job market and educational institutions
In this world of continuous and accelerated change it is now more crucial than ever to be aware of how the job market, and the value of different roles within it, are changing. We must try, as much as possible, to forecast how this change might continue in the future. We will provide advice on:
- How different professions and jobs are being recalibrated
- What job sectors are diminishing or growing in the future
- What qualifications, knowledge, skills and abilities will be in most demand in the future
- What the specific job profiles are for these roles
- A review of the range of career routes, courses and learning institutions available
- What courses match up with your current, or your expected, qualifications
- A review of the pros and cons of taking a gap year, and how best to use your gap year in relation to the subject area you plan to study
The criteria rating form mentioned above will help to compare, rank and list preferences between various professions and job opportunities, helping you to build a clear plan of progression. When you have selected your 3rd level course options, we will provide advice and assistance, at the appropriate time, to help you complete your CAO application form.
4. Building your current skill sets: the importance of part-time and temporary work
Career development is a wider journey than just getting qualifications. What you experience along the way in jobs and skill development is equally important. Don’t underestimate the value of part-time work in terms of helping you to understand working life and to develop interpersonal skill sets.
Employers today tend just as concerned about the accumulation of experience and skills as the level of degree taken at university. While they may expect high academic achievements, the deciding factors that determine who is selected from the interview process or assessment centre, are more usually related to the relevant experience and skills demonstrated by applicants. It is no longer enough to rely on academics alone. The accumulation of part-time work experience in student life demonstrates initiative and builds personality. It is also key to developing team, relationship-building and problem-solving skills.
During our coaching sessions we will advise on:
- Commencing part-time or online courses to supplement your qualifications – so for example you can say with confidence, “Yes, I know Excel” or “Yes, I can work in QuickBooks”
- Strategies to get interim vacation and part-time work experience to help develop personal skills, or to get experience and exposure within your chosen industry
- Opportunities for voluntary work and key extracurricular activities
- Key principles and techniques related to influence, team skills and problem solving
Our comprehensive career advice and guidance incorporating Birkman psychometric testing and in-depth coaching will help you to formulate a clear plan with ease. Our career coaching will assist in identifying which courses, career and job would prove most relevant and accessible for your unique interests, skills, talents and personality type.
Once you have a good idea of the career you want, the next step is to plan the specific actions required within realistic time-frames to turn your career plan into reality. We will provide ongoing support as and when required as you work through the application process.
Please contact us today for your free initial consultation and find out what MK Career Guidance and Coaching can do for you.