Don’t forget the Careers Centre is now on MOODLE - https://vle.wit.ie/ - check us out!

Contents - Page

2 Professions - Information Technology 3 Personal Statements & Statements of Intent 4 Dates for your March 2012 Diary

Newsletter - Issue No 6 as at 5 March 2012

Dear Students,

Help yourself to stand out from the crowd. How? One way to do this is to log onto www.gradireland.ie

Are you exploring your passion and purpose in life? - The gradireland website gives in-depth

advice on key graduate career sectors, latest vacancies, tips on CV preparation and interview skills. If

you are unsure about where to start, use the self-assessment Careers report and graduate job matching

tool. This will reveal your strengths and pinpoint suitable graduate careers.

Search the database for the latest job vacancies - research employers and receive suitable jobs

by email. How to get a job - everything you should know about and choosing the right one for you.

Research your sectors - the starting point for your research when choosing which area of work would

suit you. Click on the Career Sectors tab and you will find detailed information on specific application,

interview tips and job descriptions for that sector. You will also find training and development

information, personal insights from graduate recruits, employers and current vacancies.

Find jobs and employers - A-Z directory full of employer profiles. Find contact details plus

information on jobs, graduate schemes and internships. Click on the Jobs and Employers tab, choose

the sector, click on search and you will find a list of all current vacancies.

Work experience - advice on work placements, summer work and volunteering. How work

experience and internships can help your job prospects.

Graduation isn’t the end; it is just the beginning of your next adventure. Everything you need to start

working on your career you will find on www.gradireland.com.

Also the Careers Centre would like to thank you for supporting our

Careers Awareness Day that was held on St Valentine’s Day. It was a

great success. We really appreciate all the students who registered

with careers on the day and in the run up to the event. It is never too

late to register so please feel free to register on line at -

http://www.wit.ie/CareersCentre/RegisterwiththeCareersOffice/

This event was made possible by Eileen O’Connor, a BBS Intern, who

put so much energy, passion and hard work into making it a great

success. We would also like to thanks Dallal Alhaidary, May

Albaghdady, Tina Li, Victoria Paperovska, Shona Brophy, Linda Rafter,

Sakina Kashani, Emma Hurley, Denise McCarthy, Students Union,

Mei Kei (Maggie) Wong, Eoin Donnelly, Marie Pickering, Annette White,

Kate Murphy and Jean Yves who also helped Eileen with the event.

The winner of the 1st prize (The Teddy called Romeo) was ANA-MARI JOLIC

from "Languages and Marketing" course.

The winner of the 2nd prize (A large box of chocolates) was ANDI DURONJIC from the "Nursing" course

The winner of the 3rd prize (A large box of biscuits) was RUTH CONCANNON

Best of luck

Angela and the Careers Centre Team

Professions - Information Technology

There is a wide range of occupations available within the ICT sector. These positions can be achieved by a person with a degree in a technical subject, by someone who has participated in a graduate conversion course or who has relevant sector experience. This list is by no means exhaustive and in addition to the roles outlined below there is also wide scope for employment within ICT companies in more general management and HR positions without the requirement of a technical degree/masters. Employers frequently seek employees who have both technical skills and the innovative and creative thought processes of someone with a background in the humanities and arts.

Applications Developer - Writes, edits and alters Application Software Programs for computers.

Computer/IT Consultant - Works in partnership with clients, advising them how to use information technology in

order to overcome problems.

Creative Director - Creates and overseas the creative design of a project

Database Administrator - Supervises and controls the creation and maintenance of databases and record filing

systems.

Electronics Engineer - Research's, designs, develops, and tests electronic components and systems for use in

fields such as telecommunications, aerospace guidance and propulsion control, acoustics, or instruments and controls.

Information Scientist - Plans and carries out experiments and investigations to increase scientific knowledge in a

range of areas such as life sciences, including physiology, pharmacology, microbiology, plant sciences.

IT Sales Professional - Provides detailed information about a products technical specifications and suitability to a

customer's needs.

IT Trainer - Provide training in technical areas for software engineers, technicians, website designers

and programmers.

Multimedia Programmer - Designs, programmes and implements advanced routines within a multimedia project.

Multimedia Specialist - Designs graphics and visual presentations for computer based multimedia applications.

Network Engineer - Designs, installs, maintains and supports computer network systems that allow

employees and organisations to communicate with each other, share files and resources and provide services.

Software Engineer - Develops, creates, and modifies general computer applications software or specialised

utility programs.

Technical Support Office (IT) - Provides technical support to customers.

For a more complete list go to http://www.careersportal.ie/careers/sector_answers.php?s_CS=1 There are many different routes a graduate from a technical discipline can take after finishing their course. One of the most popular routes to a career in this sector is through a graduate programme (see the Careers website/Careers Advice/Company Information section). Many companies in the technology sphere have graduate internship programmes (see gradireland/work

experience section) which allow newly-qualified graduates to work in a range of different business areas. These programmes allow graduates to get hands on experience in a variety of roles before deciding what career path they would like to pursue. Another route to the jobs market is to keep an eye on jobs advertised in papers and online as there are plenty of jobs for graduates in this sector. There is always the option of going on to study for postgraduate degrees, masters and doctorates (PhD). Graduates with these qualifications can work in high-tech roles in research and development (R&D). Once in industry, people with these qualifications tend to move up through the organisation much faster. Graduate salaries in the sector are very attractive. According to the Higher Education Authority (www.hea.ie) graduate survey, 16.5% of graduates with engineering degrees now earn €33,000 or more. Salaries increase quite rapidly as experience is acquired. Most companies provide excellent benefits such as pension schemes, educational assistance and bonuses. Bonuses paid in the form of shares can be enormous if a company is doing well. Current Labour Market shortage - The following information is based on the National Skills Bulletin 2011 (http://www.skillsireland.ie/media/EGFSN110706-National_Skills_Bulletin_2011.pdf) and displays some useful information about selected occupations or occupation groups. Currently, in brief, Computer Applications Programmers/Analysts are designated a “Skills Shortage”. The growth rate 2005-2010 shows the annual employment growth for the period +4%, maybe a guide to future trends. Total numbers employed in this occupation = 18900 of which Part time workers employed = 6% and Full Time workers = 94%, the ratio of male to female employees is 80% male to 20 % female, the older workers - being aged 55 + - is 2% and the non-Irish national worker is 16% to the Irish worker at 84%. Extracted from: www.careersportal.ie

Interests and experience outside college• Identify and outline key activities or experiences which you`ve gained...• Give pursuits e.g. Reading...then outline

the extent to your pursuit briefly e.g. business management such as Laurie Mullin`s `Management and Organisational Behaviour`

• And relevance... “found the chapters on teamwork particularly interesting”• Only give information on interests and

experience outside college if you have something to say...make it relevant!

Writing about college experience

Only WRITE IF ITS OF INTEREST TO THE READER. You don`t have to write about all areas of college life

Examples include drama productions, music, library assistant, voluntary work, helping staff, class representative, Fancy Dress Ball event organiser etc.

AND what you have gained – communication skills, trust, independence.

CONNECT EXPERIENCE AND WHAT YOU HAVE GAINED/LEARNED

Possible outline... Brainstorm

• Section 1 – this Course + College – Why?

• Section 2 – Academic qualifications and attributes...how has college life led you to this? Have it achievement focussed . Relevant subjects/modules/projects have you completed...if you are missing something, what can you offer as a substitute?

• Section 3 – Personal qualities + achievements that make you suitable...and clarity that you know what you want form the course (not necessarily `career` if the course is not vocational)...can be related to work, extra-curricular etc.

NOTE: its is not an autobiography. Every sentence is important and should convince the reader that you have the academic ability, skills and attribute to complete the programme successfully.

Writing about your choice of course

Enjoy the subject

Enjoy particular aspects

of subject

Work experience

confirmed interest

Process skills required for

course

Career in mind

Other reasons

State why

State which aspects...why in

greater depth?

How did it help?

What did you learn?

Which skills?

Which career and why?

Personal Statements & Statements of Intent

How do Course Directors (CDs) use the

Personal Statement/ Statement of Intent

• Help select applicants

• Check if you meet re

quired grades

• Invite to interview

• Questioning for interview

• Understanding nature of course

• Borderline cases

Planning the PS1. Brainstorming key aspects... Could start with

www.prospects.ac.uk; to `Explore Types of Job`

and the entry requirements of a particular job

2. Plan structure. Have it ` chunked` into key

sections• Five key attributes which best describe you. Get

feedback from others• Conscientious, dedicated, mature, motivated,

leader, team player, ambitious, diligent, listener,

scholar. Give examples of relevant ones

What do CDs like to see? Check before you prepare!!

• Why do you want to do the course?• Well rounded personality • A well-presented statement (pride)• Start well• A well-written statement• Relevant work experience • Evidence of Transferrable Skills and Competencies

key skills e.g. Teamwork • Anything distinctive about degree results• Evidence of being a hard worker

What to Avoid• Waffle

• Swallowing a dictionary!• Absence of evidence.

• Writing at length about results• Ordinary interests...show your involvement• Rushing, thinking you can write it without research or advice

•Copying a PS from the internet

Concluding Statement

• Store one idea or experience until end...that

will catch attention/maintain interest

• Examples include a relevant experience you

have not mentioned, an experience which

related to your suitability for the course or/and

area you have mentioned already and where

you find a way to build on it to conclude on

your suitability for the course.

Have STAR Quality for behaviour questions

• Situation – has the applicant described a suitable situation and it is clear?

• Task – what was the objective of the situation or task?

• Action - how did the applicant go about tackling the situation and what was their role in this?

• Results - what was the outcome, was the objective met?

The full ppt is available on the Careers Centre Moodle site, under the Careers Centre Presentations/Workshops Handouts Section.

Relevance of experience

“Being involved in a busy office enabled me to...”(briefly describe task). “These duties developed skills in...”“Working part-time in “(state type of company e.g. Large retail store)...“I gained valuable knowledge of/ learned...and experience in” (state area of work e.g. Solicitor`s office)... “During “(quantify time. Two hours observation is not the same as two weeks!)“Working voluntarily as a...provided a rewarding and valuable experience in...”(experience and skills).

Events / Dates for Your Diary / Career Centre Locations

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

March 2012

Monday 05 March 2012 Quick Query, CV,

12 March 2012 Interview and

26 March 2012 Application Advice

From 2:00.p.m. to 4:00.p.m

Careers Centre,

Cork Rd. Campus

All Students

June 2012

Wednesday 20 June 2012

CAREERS CENTRE LOCATIONS

Careers Office

Where we are - Front Entrance, Immediate left, Main Building, Cork Road Campus

How to contact us

Telephone 051 302038 Fax 051 306279 Email careers@wit.ie Website www.wit.ie/careerscentre

Now even better resources - Extensive “reference section”

Free Sector Booklets, Monthly publications, Careers Handouts,

Computers with careers search programmes installed for your use.

NEW PHOTO

COMING SOON,

BUT DON’T WAIT FOR

THAT, CHECK IT OUT NOW

WE HAVE MOVED the Careers Information Library to

TOP FLOOR Luke Wadding Library

Cork Road Campus

http://www.facebook.com/pages/WIT-Careers-

Centre/164371466911273?ref=ts

REMEMBER to register with the Careers Centre to receive quick, up to date

information.

http://www.wit.ie/CareersCentre/

RegisterwiththeCareersOffice/

WHERE TO FIND US

Summer Careers Fair

Serpertine Hall,

RDS Dublin.

All Students