What’s next for Portlaoise College Class of 2026?

Students are embarking on a diversity of paths after graduating from Portlaoise College, with choices ranging from medicine and nursing to engineering, law, music production and the Defence Forces.

Peter Ciarcowski will begin his career with the Defence Forces on September 14. Peter said that a visit from the Defence Forces to Portlaoise College confirmed his decision: “It was what I wanted to do, but when the Defence Forces came to the school it really opened my eyes to the opportunity. It’s a great way to get an apprenticeship through the army.”

Julia Musial will study Music Production and Technology at Technical University of the Shannon (TUS) Limerick. Julia spends much of her spare time producing music at home and now hopes to turn that interest into a career.

Having been offered a place on a PLC course, Oran O’Brien has decided to take a year out to work and save towards the cost of college. He is currently working at 4 Aces and plans to pursue his interests in PE and personal training.

Among those beginning university is Jessica Witek, who has accepted a place to study Medicine at University College Dublin (UCD). Jessica called into the school on Friday before heading to her induction this week, with an early start to her medical studies ahead.

Dea Ducusin is crossing the Irish Sea to John Moores University in Liverpool to study Biomedical Science. Having family to stay with in Liverpool will allow Dea to live in the area while studying. His long-term ambition is to progress to Medicine.

This ambition is shared by Jeremiah Phillips, who will study Children’s and General Nursing at Trinity College Dublin. Having always wanted to work in healthcare, Jeremiah hopes to progress his studies in the future and potentially become a GP. He will commute to college.

Finding somewhere to live is becoming an increasingly important consideration for school leavers and their families. The availability and cost of accommodation creates a significant obstacle for students who want to attend colleges outside their home area.

Such is the experience of Violet Omosigho, who is due to study Business at the University of Limerick (UL). Violet is currently trying to secure accommodation in UL, where both availability and cost are proving prohibitive. The issue was made salient to Portlaoise College students when they attended the UL Open Day last October. UL students had staged a demonstration using tents to symbolise the shortage of student accommodation.

Jessica Sescu will also be commuting, to Maynooth University, where she has accepted a place on the Law and German course. Jessica developed an interest in law after attending an open day but chose the combined course to keep her options open.

Orlagh Creery has accepted a place in Fashion and Textiles at Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Galway. She could not be at the school to speak about her plans as she was in Galway looking for accommodation.

Niamh Donaghy will study Japanese and Economics at the UL. Niamh was attracted to the course partly because of the opportunity to travel through Erasmus. She will be living in student accommodation and begins college on Monday.

Engineering will be the next step for Oisín Grundy, who is to study Mechatronic Engineering at Ulster University.

For some students, the route into employment will begin through an apprenticeship or practical training. Jamie Clarke, Portlaoise College’s LCA Student of the Year, will begin a pre-apprenticeship motor mechanic course at Carlow Institute on September 14. Jamie has always had an interest in motorbikes and hopes to develop that interest into a career. During the summer, he has been working in landscaping.

The variety of destinations and career choices among the Class of 2026 reflects the different routes available to students after second level education.

Darren Maher, year head and guidance counsellor for the Class of 2026, said the students had worked hard to identify paths that suited their own interests and circumstances: “What stands out about this year group is the variety of routes they are taking. We have students going into medicine, nursing, engineering, law and business, but we also have students taking apprenticeships, further education and employment routes. There isn’t one definition of success, and it is important that students choose a pathway that is right for them.”

Principal Noel Daly said the school was proud to see students moving on to such a wide range of destinations: “The Class of 2026 have shown that there are many different ways to build a successful future. Some students are heading directly to university, while others are choosing apprenticeships, further education or taking time to work and prepare for the next stage. We are very proud of what they have achieved and wish every student the very best as they begin this next chapter.”