It can be a wounding blow to any student when he does not receive the choice closest to his heart as listed on the CAO list. Although thorough research and study usually will see you through, over the coming months many variables can possibly come between the student and their intended third-level goal.

For some, taking their alternative choice offered to them is not a problem and can often be a blessing in disguise. For others, their number one choice is their only choice, even when the doors have closed.

A realistic approach has to be adopted by the determined student. The standard reproach to disappointment is to repeat the Leaving Cert, but this can be a lottery in view of today's fluctuating points. Another alternative can be to adopt the "scenic route" to your desired course as taken by third-year electronic engineering student Eoin Sweeney.

"I always wanted to do engineering. I had a knack for it as a kid and when it came to filling out the CAO, I put engineering down as my first and second choices."

But Eoin didn't receive the points required to gain entry to the degree courses he wanted.

"When I got the results I was terribly disappointed. I missed the degree course in electronic engineering at DIT Kevin Street by five or 10 points, but still at that stage I was determined to get it." Eoin's guidance teacher at Colaiste Mhuire, Drumcondra, Dublin, pointed out his alternatives.

"My options were either (a) to repeat the Leaving Cert or (b) what a lot of people wouldn't realise, do a PLC course. So I took the PLC course as a backdoor option of getting into Kevin Street."

On completing the one-year PLC course in electronic servicing at Colaiste Dhulaigh, Dublin, Eoin then went on to do a diploma in electronic engineering at Kevin's Street, which then entitled him to enter the second year of the degree course.

While it may seem like a long haul, Eoin feels that the scenic route benefited him greatly. He gained essential experience in electronic servicing while on work placement from the PLC course, which led to a three-year stint working with Power City. Later, on the back of a final year project at Kevin Street, he gained work with Stratus Computers.

"I would say all in all it worked out much better, because now I know the day-today industry much better."

So much so in fact Eoin has set up his own company Manta-Tech which has recently launched a CD-ROM with a database of this year's CAO courses. The crucial advice given to him by his career guidance teacher in 1992 left an impression on Eoin. It was that all options should be presented to those graduating from second level.

"The whole idea is that instead of having to gather all the prospectuses of the various colleges, you can have all the information you need on one CD-ROM. The handy thing about it is you can search by your chosen course or college."

WITH one more year to go before gaining his elusive degree and more computer projects in the pipeline, Eoin has a lot on his plate, but his "scenic route" has done little to scare him away from third-level institutions. "Primarily I want to get my degree. Eventually I'd like to do a master's or maybe a doctorate, I don't know about immediately, but it is an intention of mine to go the whole nine yards."

Eoin Sweeney can be contacted at www.manta-tech.com