By Liam McInerney and Alastair Magee
Last Wednesday students across Ireland got the chance to talk to potential employers at the Graduate Careers Fair in the RDS Dublin.
As well as interviewing students about their future career endeavours, we talked to the editor of Grad Ireland, Ruairi Kavanagh, about the success of the event as well as the growing employment opportunities in Ireland.
Kavanagh began by explaining that this was the biggest Graduate Fair in years.
Asked for the reason for this, he said: “During the downturn in the recession the shoe was very much on the employers’ foot. They didn’t have to try as hard because opportunities were limited so they knew they wouldn’t be swamped anyway.
“Now the market has loosened up a lot, the shoe is more on the graduate’s foot, they have more options, employers have to work a lot harder to attract them. There’s been a lot more employer marketing. Although not so much journalism,” Kavanagh joked. “I did journalism as well, they don’t come looking for us.”
He added: “The weather helps with the great turnout. It’s free entry, we used to charge five euros, but we didn’t do that this time. The CV clinic booked out within an hour too and there’s 30 odd seminars.”
Sam (22)
Why are you passionate about that field of work? (Multimedia and Web Engineering)
I wouldn’t say I’m passionate now. If I get a high paying job out of it then I’d be passionate because I would be making sweet bank.
What would be your dream job?
Maybe front end design, front end development of websites or maybe content management or data based analytics.
Would you consider moving abroad after you graduate or will you stay in Ireland?
I’m looking to stay in Ireland if I can get a company over here, if not I will probably emigrate but I don’t know where.
Kieran Phelan (23)
Why are you passionate about that field of work? (Bar management)
“I was born and raised in it, my Dad owns a pub,” said Phelan.
Has the Grad Fair helped with ideas on what you would like to pursue once finished college?
I’m just after looking at some of the graduate programmes with Jameson and Diageo and that’s helped me big time.
Eimear Flynn French and Business student, DCU
Why are you passionate about that field of work? (French and Business)
We did a year in France last year and I loved living abroad and getting to use my language. For business I was always good at maths and stuff so it made sense.
What would be your dream job?
I would really like the Jameson international programme because you get to go around different countries and use marketing and brand identity and stuff.
Would you consider moving abroad after you graduate or stay in Ireland?
Abroad while I’m young and don’t have anything tying me down.
Was the Grad Fair helpful in deciding your future?
There were a lot of companies that I didn’t know had graduate programmes on so that was good. Also a lot of free stuff.
Why are you passionate about that field? (Business and International studies)
It’s easy.
What would be your dream job?
Something that involves international culture, teamwork and not the same everyday.
Will you consider moving abroad after graduation or will you stay in Ireland?
I’ve finished my study in the US so am looking for jobs in Ireland.
Has today been helpful?
I don’t think so.
Why are you passionate about that field? (Economics and finance)
I was always interested in economics and governance and how it works to help all members of society and I think economics helps answers these questions.
Will you consider moving abroad after you graduate or stay in Ireland?
I’m going to look abroad as well but I wouldn’t mind staying in Ireland. I probably prefer Dublin or Belfast but outside of that I would be more than open to move abroad.
What would be your dream job?
Policy advisor maybe but it’s hard to know, I think I need to get into the workforce first before I can make up my mind.
Has the Grad Fair helped with ideas for the future?
It’s helped a little bit. The big companies are all offering the same, very similar, so it’s hard to know.
Sarah Kane (20)
Why are you passionate about that field? (Media and PR)
I’ve always had an interest in radio, I love listening to the radio and stuff. But it’s a broad course and open to many possibilities.
What is your dream job?
I want to hopefully go into event planning afterwards and my dream job would to be a wedding planner.
Would you consider moving abroad after you graduate or will you stay in Ireland?
I like the idea of moving abroad, not straight away, maybe a couple of years down the line.
Has the Grad Fair been beneficial?
There was literally nothing for the course I’ve studied.
Claudia (20)
Why are you passionate about that field? (Media and PR)
I’m for the public relations side and I like fashion and want to get into the fashion and beauty industry.
What would be your dream job?
My dream job would be to be the PR of Chanel.
Would you consider moving abroad after you graduate or will you stay in Ireland?
I would be very willing to move abroad, France especially.
Caoimhe Phillips (21) Language studies, UCD
Why are you passionate about languages?
I find it really interesting learning them and then being able to travel with it. I loved it since school.
What would be your dream job?
Maybe working as a translator.
Has the Grad Fair been beneficial?
Today was good, learning all about all the things they have and the CV clinic was great.
