Peer To Peer CAO Special: Emer Neville - "Trust your instincts, do your research, and take an active role in the process"

Emer Neville

Digital Humanities and Information Technology
University College Cork

When it came to choosing a college, the CAO process felt like a pressure cooker – so many options, a ticking clock, and the overwhelming sense that this decision could define my future.

It’s an overwhelming experience, equal parts exciting and nerve-wracking, and it marks one of the most pivotal moments in our lives as young people. The labyrinth of choices – what course, what town, what university – can feel like too much to tackle, especially for a 17- or 18-year-old.

I vividly remember sitting at my desk in school, scrolling through endless course lists, trying to balance my passions with practicality. One week, I was captivated by creative writing; the next, I was considering law, or computer science. It wasn’t long before I realised that while I loved technology, I wasn’t a numbers person. At the same time, I had a natural knack for the humanities. This mix of contradictions left me in a constant state of doubt about what to choose.

Then, I stumbled upon Digital Humanities and Information Technology (DHIT) at University College Cork (UCC), and it felt like everything clicked. The course offered the perfect blend of creativity and coding, teaching everything from programming to digital archives. It wasn’t just about learning to use technology – it was about exploring how it shapes the world around us. For the first time, I could see how passions could align.

Of course, making the decision wasn’t without its challenges. Like so many students, I wrestled with doubts. Was this course too specific? Would it limit my options? And more importantly, would I be able to handle the content?

I decided to take control of my uncertainty by reaching out to a student currently in the programme. During the call, they walked me through what the course involved, what made it unique, and why they loved it. That conversation dispelled my doubts and cemented my choice.

Three years later, I’m now a third-year DHIT student at UCC, currently completing my work placement at NetApp in Cork City. Looking back, I can confidently say that choosing DHIT was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. The course has opened doors I didn’t even know existed, giving me a front-row seat to the intersection of technology and creativity. And more than that, it’s opened me up to a community of people who share the same passions.

To anyone navigating the CAO process, my advice is simple: trust your instincts, do your research, and take an active role in the process. Attend open days, reach out to current students, and ask all the questions you need. Yes, it’s overwhelming, but remember that you’re not alone – there are people around you who want to help. And if you lean into the process, you will find yourself exactly where you’re meant to be.

Read the full Education special in the current issue of Hot Press: