PAST STUDENTS

Time for Decision Parents Role in Career Choice – September 19th & 26th 2005 These seminars are part of the careers programme in the school. The Seminars are held for the 5th Year Parents and the Union is involved in the careers programme in the school as it provides career guidance talks, organises the career interviews, assists with the work experience programme and chairs and organises matters in conjunction with the Careers Department in relation to these seminars. The first seminar was addressed by Lucy Gallagher who outlined the career guidance programme and the emphasis of parents taking an active role in career choices with their sons. The second speaker was Dr. Brigid Laffan, Principal of School of Human Sciences and Monet Professor at UCD. Brigid spoke regarding career opportunities in the context of a broader Europe and outlined the role of broadening one’s horizons and using degrees of as a stepping stone to further education. Careers in the future will not be just a job for life but people will have to switch and therefore learning will become a life long experience. Language ability will be critical and she stressed the importance of studying abroad and being aware of the bigger world beyond Ireland. The Minister for Education & Science, Ms. Mary Hanafin T.D., spoke regarding Future Opportunities in Third Level Education at the 2nd Seminar on Monday 26th. The Minister stressed that there are courses for everyone and all one needed to do is to look around and that the Leaving Cert was not the be all and end all. She stressed the importance of sciences as there are job opportunities in this area and also in the social sciences particularly for males. The second speaker was Alan MacGinty who outlined the educational objects of Blackrock College and encouraged parents to give their sons independence. The talks were attended by approximately 150 parents which is a very good turnout and our thanks to the Career Department of the School, to Lucy Gallagher and her team, Tom Ryan Dean of 5th Year, Angela Gilman Head of I.T., and the 5th Year boys who welcomed the guests.