As the CAO application date of February 1st 2021 approaches, the Kerry campus of Munster Technological University is to host a virtual information evening on Tuesday 19th of January at 7pm for parents of Leaving Certificate students or anyone considering a college application in 2021. Guest speaker on the evening is Catherine O’Connor, Education Consultant & Author of “Cracking the College Code” who will speak about preparing for a successful transition from second level to third level.
Catherine O’Connor, MA (Ed), FIITD, Education Consultant, Trinity College Dublin, has 25 twenty years’ experience in higher level education at both Trinity College Dublin and Dublin City University.

Following a career in financial services, the study of drama led her to a training and development career where she worked in the community motivating the long term unemployed preparing them to return to study and work. Catherine has also researched and published within the areas of education and technology enhanced learning. She is considered a subject expert in making the transition to higher education both nationally and internationally.

Catherine is a regular contributor to television, national and regional radio, the Irish Times, Irish Independent, campus.ie, careersnews.ie, careersportal.ie, schooldays.ie on the subject of making the transition to third level. Also featured in the Education Matters Yearbook, the Farmers Journal, Sunday Times and Woman's Way magazine. Public lectures include Open Days at TCD, ZEMINAR and keynotes at various venues nationwide including during College Awareness week. She is also an advocate of men's health.

Catherine will host a Q&A session following her talk, allowing those in attendance to ask questions on adapting to college, the costs and how best to support a young person as they adapt from secondary school to the adult learning environment that is third level education.

Commenting on the upcoming event Ms Brid Mc Elligott, Vice President - Research, Development and External Engagement, MTU said “This event is in response to the growing number of queries the University receives from parents and family members regarding the transition from second level to third level and the opportunities and challenges this presents for the students concerned. The last twelve months have seen unprecedented upheaval for everyone, particularly Leaving Certificate students. Our event aims to support those students and their parents or guardians as they navigate choosing a course and a college during the pandemic.”

Also on the night Lucy Fitzell from the MTU Admissions Office will provide information on the “Dos and Don’ts” of the CAO application process.

This event is free of charge and open to the public. To book see https://mtuparents.eventbrite.ie