I’m worried my son isn’t suited to his course. Must we pay fees if he drops out?

My son recently started studying arts and isn’t sure it’s the course for him. He picked psychology, sociology, digital media and economics as his chosen subjects. It all sounds a bit too broad to me. What kind of career prospects are there? And how many weeks do you have if you decide college isn’t for you?

As a student back in the mid-1970s I studied politics, economics, and philosophy in UCD. I was actively involved in the students’ union and a number of college debating societies. I cut my journalistic teeth writing for student-run newspapers and sold advertising for a range of publications within UCD.

As I reflect on your question regarding the career prospects at the completion of a degree in psychology, sociology, digital media and economics, it brings to mind my own college journey.

Were my career prospects shaped by my successful studies of politics, economics, and philosophy? I selected those three degree subjects because I was curious about them.

‘My son still can’t make his mind up over what college course to choose’

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Will my son lose out in next year’s Leaving Cert due to return to ‘normal’ exams?

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My daughter is overwhelmed with homework. What can we do?

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‘My son is being bullied but won’t let me contact the school about it’

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As I grew in understanding of those three disciplines, I – unknowingly – applied my insights from them to my extra-curricular activities. I ended up developing a basket of skills which I continue to hone and live out today.

In many ways the relationship between the subjects your son has chosen and his future career prospects is somewhat meaningless.

Your son is setting out on a voyage of self-discovery in which the exploration of psychology, sociology, digital media and economics are at the core of his day-to-day academic engagement. Hopefully, he will be as fortunate as I have been and will find a wide range of opportunities within the university to grow and mature into the adult he is becoming.

If he maintains the balance of his studies with extracurricular activity, he will be in a position to demonstrate to a prospective employer in three to four years’ time that he has the self-management skills to undertake whatever range of responsibilities the employer requires.

As Covid-19 has demonstrated, nobody can foresee what roles and responsibilities will be needed in just a few years’ time.

What is absolutely certain is that selecting subjects for which he has an innate curiosity will give him the strongest platform to emerge at the end of his studies as a well-rounded young man with a range of life skills which will be attractive to a wide range of employers.

If my arguments are not sufficiently strong enough to convince you or him that he has chosen the right path, most universities have a cut-off date in late October to withdraw formally with no financial penalties. If a student drops out between November and February 1st, they generally are billed with half of the €3,000 registration fee. Beyond this point, students must pay the full registration fee if they drop out – and may face other charges worth up to €8,000 - if they reapply for a new course.