Mature Student

[Aimee]

Hi guys,

I am looking into returning to education for someone who is 32 years of age and presently working full time. What he would like to do would involve history, heritage. The course more than likely would have to be part time but he would be willing to look at his options if it had to be full time. He is into history very much and heritage is a big think to him, ultimately he would love to work in this area, perhaps through a county council, heritage council........

His present job and quals don't hold much of an advantage for what he really wants to do in the future and I think now is the time for him to do something about it before time runs out.

I would really really appreciate any advice or tips in relation to where to start. I have searched the net a little, will do some more but am confused as to where he should start, even if one type of course was undertaken initially he could move on to another after, but what course to start with???

I know this may be a long shot but hopefully someone will point me in the right direction and thanks in advance for reading ...........

 

[pinkyBear]

Hi Aimee,
Returning to collage is a huge step. I was a mature student in DCU. The first thing I would suggest is to speak to an Occupational Psychologist - contact TCD and they will give you details of the guys who work with them.
The first thing is you need to be absolutly sure this is the right thing to do. They can also give advice about careers....

Contact all the collages, get prospectii for all of them and examine all courses available. Another suggestion is to contact staff on the courses as well as they will give you details of careers post leaving collage.

Each collage differs in how they handle entry requirements for mature students, some do so via CAO forms and others directly to the collage...

All the very best,
P

 

[snuffle]

Another viewpoint he might consider (although how feasible this will be if he works full time now I don't know) but could he possibly see if he can get some part time weekend work in a heritage site (summer months, always looking for part time tour guides etc) and get hands-on experience of how places like that operate - it would also put him in a very good position to ask all the questions he needs as to which courses employers would value etc.

I worked myself covering an admin post in a museum for a couple of months a few years ago, and I would say it would be invaluable for someone thinking of studying for an eventual fulltime career in the heritage area in building up contacts, finding out how the different councils and boards/trusts operate, what staff they need in what areas, and I would say that working in such a place would put him in pole position if a full time vacancy came up that he was willing to study for/work his way up to. It would also add greatly to his future employment prospects to have experience in this area, no matter if it is only a couple of hours a week. I know that the prospect of working extra hours on top of a full week might seem daunting but it can be done in the short term, I did it myself for a few years and it didn't kill me If you would like to PM me I can discuss this in further detail to see if it might be something your friend might consider helpful. best of luck!

 

[Aimee]

Hi Aimee,
Returning to collage is a huge step. I was a mature student in DCU. The first thing I would suggest is to speak to an Occupational Psychologist - contact TCD and they will give you details of the guys who work with them.
The first thing is you need to be absolutly sure this is the right thing to do. They can also give advice about careers....

Contact all the collages, get prospectii for all of them and examine all courses available. Another suggestion is to contact staff on the courses as well as they will give you details of careers post leaving collage.

Each collage differs in how they handle entry requirements for mature students, some do so via CAO forms and others directly to the collage...

All the very best,
P

Thank you pinky, have emailed and written to certain colleges, hopefully we will hit on something good soon!

 

[Aimee]

Another viewpoint he might consider (although how feasible this will be if he works full time now I don't know) but could he possibly see if he can get some part time weekend work in a heritage site (summer months, always looking for part time tour guides etc) and get hands-on experience of how places like that operate - it would also put him in a very good position to ask all the questions he needs as to which courses employers would value etc.

I worked myself covering an admin post in a museum for a couple of months a few years ago, and I would say it would be invaluable for someone thinking of studying for an eventual fulltime career in the heritage area in building up contacts, finding out how the different councils and boards/trusts operate, what staff they need in what areas, and I would say that working in such a place would put him in pole position if a full time vacancy came up that he was willing to study for/work his way up to. It would also add greatly to his future employment prospects to have experience in this area, no matter if it is only a couple of hours a week. I know that the prospect of working extra hours on top of a full week might seem daunting but it can be done in the short term, I did it myself for a few years and it didn't kill me If you would like to PM me I can discuss this in further detail to see if it might be something your friend might consider helpful. best of luck!

Snuffle, thanks a mill, I totally agree with what you say about making contacts and I think its a great idea, he is presently involved in certain community work and after reading your post I can see exactly where you are coming from and feel he could get into certain places which would give him great experience and he would also add so much if he did get this experience, he loves history and especially his local history and heritage, now I guess we will have to start searching for the right people to talk to..................

Thanks again