CAO Special: curious about a career in agri-food? Get the inside view

A new course added to last year’s CAO was Sustainable Food Systems at University College Dublin (UCD). The programme was developed as a result of industry demand and the need for graduates in this area.

In 2023, Gurteen College and Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) also added a new level 8 honours degree in agricultural science and sustainability. It aims to equip students with the knowledge needed to manage the relationship between agriculture and the environment.

At the time, Isabel Alexandra and Brian Campion were two students who took a leap of faith and selected these new courses on their CAO application, with no points guidelines. They discuss their experience with the CAO application and choosing a course they are enjoying.

Isabel Alexandra: first year student; BSc in sustainable food systems, UCD

Isabel, from Ballsbridge Co Dublin, attended the Teresian School, where ag science was not offered as a subject. With an interest in food production, she decided to do it externally as an extra subject for the Leaving Certificate.

“It was a running joke for a while – ‘D4 doing ag’ – as I was the only one doing it in my school, but I loved the subject and found it so interesting,” she says. “My Leaving Cert project was on the role of food production in maintaining natural resources, which pushed me further.”

In transition year, Isabel completed her work experience in the Dunnes Stores head office where she learned a lot about sustainable food and sourcing Irish products.

“I attended an information evening at UCD, at the time I wanted to do a BSc in food and agribusiness and had it as my first choice on the CAO, but the stand had a queue,” she explains.

“There was a new course beside it called ‘sustainable food systems’ which I had never heard of. As it had no line, I ended up talking to Dr Zoe McKay, the course lead, for half an hour about the modules. I was so interested and wanted to know more.”

With a love for food, biology and home economics, Isabel knew the course was for her and changed her preferences on her CAO application.

“Part of me knew because it shared the same code as food science, the points were going to be high, it ended up being 496 points. I was delighted when I got in, there are seven of us in the course and we’re all close,” she says.

For anyone trying to navigate this year’s CAO, Isabel has the following advice:

“Don’t be influenced by others. If your friend wants to do commerce or science but there’s a niche course that you think you’d love, go for it. Do the research and if you’re interested, give it a go, don’t do something just because of everyone else.”

Brian Campion: second year student; BSc in agricultural science and sustainability, TUS

Growing up on a dairy farm milking 40 cows outside of Thurles, Co Tipperary, Brian Campion always had a keen interest in agriculture.

“No matter what way it turned out, the plan was always to do some sort of ag science course,” Brian says. “I did it for the Leaving Cert and it was at the top of my priorities when selecting college courses.”

At the time when Brian was filling out his CAO, the level 8 agricultural science and sustainability course was brand new.

“Brigid Doyle from TUS came into our school and explained that the new course was starting up. As I am only 10 minutes down the road from the Thurles campus and not too far from Gurteen College, I thought it would be very handy. I had the SETU Waterford and UCC agricultural courses also on my application but I wasn’t sure if I would get the points needed,” he says.

“I work at home and have another job with a local farmer, so I thought going to TUS and living at home was the best option.”

Brian’s career guidance counsellor at Christian Brothers Secondary School helped him look into the different courses and options before he made his final decision.

“I was a bit unsure if the course was going to be different to other agricultural programmes out there. I was assured it would be the same qualification and degree that anyone would get in Waterford or UCC so I was happy enough,” says Brian.

With more agricultural-related classes, he is enjoying second year, as he found the chemistry lectures hard last year. The sustainability aspect of the programme has also given Brian a wider understanding of the important role policy and environmental regulations play in Irish agriculture.

“I am hoping to go farming full-time when I am finished, but if that doesn’t work, I will have this degree to get into a different career in the sector. I know that there are lots of options available.

“The sustainability element of the course is very relevant to the future of agriculture, the points are lower compared to other programmes, making it achievable for students,” he says.