SOME 25,000 Leaving Cert students, as well as their parents and teachers, are expected to attend a third-level and career showcase which opens in Dublin today.
Over 180 institutions are taking part in the Higher Options Conference, which is organised jointly by The Irish Timesand the Institute of Guidance Counsellors.
Participants in the conference include universities, institutes of technology, independent colleges, professional bodies and year-out organisations from Ireland and abroad.
Career talks on a wide range of industries will be held each day, including advice on working in science, IT, engineering, nursing, hospitality and fashion.
Central admissions bodies such as the CAO and UCAS will also be on hand to advise students on tackling the applications process through their stands and lectures.
The first exhibition was held in 1986 when the economy was experiencing great challenges and many young people went directly to the ferry boat, the editor of The Irish Times, Geraldine Kennedy, recalled at the launch of the conference last night.
However, she said, more than 60 per cent of today's school-leavers went on to college and faced a "bewildering range of college courses".
In this economic climate, the need for guidance and advice was even more essential, she added.
The importance of a highly skilled workforce in changing economic circumstances was highlighted by Minister of State with responsibility for Lifelong Learning Seán Haughey.
He emphasised future opportunities for science and engineering graduates.
"Our future lies in high-technology sectors like ICT, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals and in higher-value activities such as product development and research," he said.
Ms Kennedy remembered the late Irish Timesjournalist Christina Murphy, who was "ahead of her time" in establishing the conference 22 years ago. The conference runs from today until Friday at the RDS Exhibition Centre in Ballsbridge, Dublin and is open from 9am to 3pm each day. Ticket prices are between €8 and €10.
