In the next few years graduates may find it more difficult than it has been in recent years to get started in lucrative careers.

Given all the gloom and doom that pervades the economic atmosphere at present, it is not surprising that students, and particularly their parents, feel anxious about what opportunities lie ahead.

They wonder if there is any good news for people applying to go to college this autumn.

The very fact that people have the opportunity to go to college, and to gain qualifications that will stand them in good stead, is good news in itself.

There are challenges ahead - in the next few years graduates may find it more difficult than it has been in recent years to get started in lucrative careers.

But there is still plenty of economic activity out there, says Dr Dermot Douglas, Director of Academic Affairs of Institutes of Technology Ireland (IOTI). Graduates are still in short supply in many areas, he says.

Although the manufacturing end of the computer industry has taken a hit in recent times, there are still jobs and graduate shortages in areas related to other aspects of the computer industry, including software.

The biotechnology and food science sector is another growth area, as are various branches of engineering.

The institutes of technology provide courses, particularly in engineering, computing and sciences, as well as many aspects of business.

In recent years, increasing numbers of students have started at Level 8 honours degree level in both the universities and institutes of technology, leaving many places unfilled on Level 7 (ordinary degree) and Level 6 (higher certificate) courses, which are found, principally, in institutes of technology.

Consequently, in recent years, cut-off points for many Level 7 and Level 6 courses have been low.

In many cases, all qualified applicants were offered a place on these courses.

So there is plenty of capacity in the institute of technology sector, even if greater numbers of students apply for college places this year (2009). Level 7 graduates may progress to Level 8 and beyond.

It will be interesting to see the pattern of applications this year. Patterns fluctuate every year.

Last year, the most popular course categories at Level 8 were arts and social science, followed by administration and business.

Next in order came engineering and technology, then science and applied sciences, and then education.

At Level 7 and level 6, administration and business courses headed the list.

These were followed by engineering and technology courses, then arts and social science, which in turn were followed by science and applied sciences.

Applicants in 2009 may back away from course areas where graduate unemployment is perceived as high at present, like financial services, architecture, or anything relating to the construction industry. On the other hand, many will be happy to take the opportunity to do the course of their choice now, and hope that employment opportunities will revive in that area by the time they graduate.

Competition might be keener this year in some areas, including places for nursing degrees (all of which are Level 8 honours degrees in the university and institute of technology sectors).

HSE cutbacks mean there will be fewer places available on nursing courses in 2009.

Nursing and other specific vocational courses are always popular, however, even in an economic downturn.

Society will always need teachers, doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals, as well as accountants, engineers, vets, and solicitors.

Obviously, the wealthier the country, the more of these we can afford to pay, whether through the public or the private purse.

In recent years, college applicants have been advised to do the course they would most like to begin with (if they can get a place on it), and be prepared to adapt and update qualifications over time. There is no such thing as a job for life.

Even in permanent, pensionable employment (if such a thing continues to exist), people will change roles, assume new responsibilities, and require new skills. This advice is still sound. Act on it.