Career Development Centre’s Recipe
for Getting a Job after College
Follow instructions carefully and
it could result in a tasty job...
•4/5 key skills (see list below
to build the right mix)
•A dollop of enthusiasm
•A pinch of the right attitude
•Good grades –
ideally a 2.1 degree
•1 or more relevant
work experiences
•A touch of volunteering (optional)
(Bake on a moderate to high temperature for 3–4 years!)
Open weekdays
Mon - Thurs: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Friday: 11.00am - 5.00pm
15 minute
appointments
Skills Mix
Communication
Team work
Leadership
Project management
Creativity
Attention to detail
Problem solving
Initiative
11.00am - 12.00pm
2.30 pm - 4.00pm daily
Career Development Centre,
Arts Science Building,
National University of Ireland,
Galway
Join us on Facebook
facebook.com/Careers.NUIGalway
We are here to help students from first year to final year and on
into postgraduate study if you choose that route. Visit the Career
Development Centre to help you get started on building the
foundations of your career!
Follow us on twitter
http://twitter.com/#!/NUIGCareers
First year is a good time to:
Identify your strengths interests and values.
Discover a little bit more about potential career areas.
Get a good CV together for internships and summer work.
Get involved in campus activities that you are interested in.
Services we provide:
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Careers information – drop in to pick up some of our career booklets and information sheets – you don’t need an appointment to get information.
One to one guidance appointments.
(Book online through ‘Careers Connect’)
CV Workshops and one to one CV Clinics Employer events, presentations and Careers Fairs – drop in for a copy of our events listings.
Career seminars – to get insights into particular career areas.
Information about further study.
Support if you are unsure about your course.
Visit www.nuigalway.ie/careers for more details.
first year DL.indd 1
most of it!
Tel: 091 493589 Email: careers@nuigalway.ie
Web: www.nuigalway.ie/careers
It is never too early to visit
the Career Development Centre
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First
Year
Make the
(book through Connect)
CAREER
DEVELOPMENT
CENTRE
(Above ISS)
Career
Development
Centre
Clubs Societies
Internships
Volunteering
SKILLS
Get Involved
Work Experience
Make it count
Build
your
career
26/08/2013 09:36
Career
Development
Centre
Opportunities...
Guidance...
Employability...
Don’t get to final year and
say ‘if only I’d known’...
your career starts here.
The Career Development Centre welcomes you to NUI Galway.
This is a new and exciting time for you as you embark on
your university journey. We encourage you to get involved in
the variety of different opportunities on campus that can help
you to develop skills that employer’s value and increase your
employability during your time here. Use first year as a foundation
to try things out, to discover who you are and to build your future
career – whatever that may be. This leaflet will give you some
ideas on the range of opportunities that are available on campus
to help you put those first few bricks in place. There is something
to interest everyone – the most important thing is to make the
most of your first year experience.
Volunteer...
go on, go on, go on
There are over 120 volunteering opportunities available to
students at NUI Galway. These range from working with well
known organisations such as the Simon Community and
the ISPCC to getting involved in coaching or taking part in a
homework club, helping local primary school students. The
opportunities are endless and the benefits of getting involved
are huge – you are helping your community, developing skills
and making new friends. Employers are always impressed by
students who have given up time to work with worthwhile
causes alongside their studies.
If you would be interested in volunteering you should visit
www.nuigalwaycki.ie/ and attend the annual volunteering
fair to find a volunteering opportunity where you can make a
difference to both the community and your CV.
first year DL.indd 2
Clubs and Societies...
there is more to campus
life than study
Clubs and Societies are a great way to get involved and to
meet new people. There are a huge variety of societies with
activities catering for a diverse range of interests examples
include the Comedy, Photography and Amnesty societies. If
you can’t find one to interest you, you can set up your own!!
There are also 45 sports clubs on campus from Football
to Frisbee so whatever your sporting interest there will be
something for you. Keep an eye out for the annual societies
and clubs days in September where you can meet members
and sign up! Clubs are always looking for committee members,
which is a fantastic way to develop skills such as leadership
and event management. Visit http://www.nuigalway.
ie/student_services/societies.html and http://www.
nuigalway.ie/sports/clubs.html for more information.
Get good grades...
obvious but essential
Employers look for consistent academic performance so you
need to bear this in mind during first year. If you are assigned
a first year advisor meet with them and get their advice.
Many applications are made during final year so results from
the previous year are very important. For example if you are
applying for teaching in your final year your place will be
awarded on your previous year’s results.
Work Experience...
give it a lash
Many jobs will look for work experience to show you have a
genuine interest in the area. There are loads of opportunities to
avail of work experience both paid and unpaid. For example,
if you would like to build a career in journalism or media you
should start a blog about something that interests you or why
not contact Flirt FM the campus radio station or SIN – the
campus newspaper to see where you can get involved. Also
look out for the numerous companies who come on campus
advertising their summer internships each year. Visit
www.nuigalway.ie/careers for information on what employers
are coming on campus and when. Getting a summer internship
is a really good way to get an insight into career areas and
to build contacts for when you graduate. Employers are also
interested in students who get a summer job as they feel
this helps them stand out in terms of skill development.
Attend Careers Events...
they are not for everybody else
Career Development Centre events, workshops, fairs and
employer presentations are not just for final years, they are open
to all years. Attending these events in first year and throughout
your degree will give you an idea of the variety of career options
available to you – so take advantage and get informed!
Learn a Language...
because you may want
to travel at some point
Lots of jobs require a second language. If your course does not
involve a language and you would like to keep up with a subject
that you enjoyed in school or learn a new one you could consider
signing up for a diploma course which can run alongside
your degree programme. Diploma courses available include
Irish, French, German, Italian and Spanish. Visit http://www.
nuigalway.ie/courses/adult-and-continuing-educationcourses/ for more information.
Develop Good
Writing Skills
(handy for writing
essays and job
applications too)
The Academic Writing Centre (AWC) offers free one-on-one
tutorials on essay writing for NUI Galway students. Good
academic writing is a crucial skill, one that is not acquired easily.
Good writers practice a great deal and revise their work constantly.
The AWC offers help and encouragement along the way.
Everyone is welcome, regardless of your level of experience
or grade average. The AWC tutors work with students of all
levels from first year to advanced postgraduate students. Visit
http://www.library.nuigalway.ie/support/academicwritingcentre/
for more information.
26/08/2013 09:36