‘Even though it isn’t related to my degree, I have never felt like it was a waste of time’
Graduates are turning to volunteering and unpaid internships to gain experience, but some question whether the sacrifice is worth it
Graduates
A graduate’s story: ‘Supporting a mentee takes enormous time, patience and generosity’
My mother’s work to improve access to neurorehabilitation services for patients has been a source of inspiration to me
How graduates can ‘clean up’ their social media and stand out to recruiters
‘In the world of AI, employers want to see the authentic student voice coming through’
A graduate’s story: ‘I felt uncertain about whether to start working or continue studying’
I chose a master’s in sustainable finance because I felt it aligned with where the future is heading
The experts’ view: What does a graduate programme offer and how is AI changing the game?
Graduate programmes provide support and certainty but they don’t represent the entire graduate jobs market
What ‘soft skills’ are and why they’re more important than ever
Skills like critical thinking, creativity and problem solving allow a graduate to stand out from their peers
Graduate to professional: 10 organisations offering paid programmes in Ireland
EY, Boston Scientific and Irish Distillers are among businesses and agencies offering paid graduate programmes
What sort of workforce are graduates entering, and what do they need to know?
AI means the employment environment is changing, but there are indications of resilience in the graduate jobs market
A graduate’s story: ‘I led the world’s biggest pilot of the four-day working week’
From Galway students’ union to Toronto, via New York – I’ve learned so much from working with some of the most innovative people and companies
Hairdresser to HR, biochemistry to accountant: Choose the career you want, not the one you think you should have
Afraid you have made the ‘wrong’ choice? Don’t worry – there are ways to change direction
Graduate job coaches offering access to the ‘unwritten rules’ of recruitment
Some parents are paying high fees for career advisers even though the results are patchy
Ireland’s graduates: ‘Everyone I know is thinking of moving abroad or has gone’
Many find it tough to find work in their desired sector upon leaving college - a harsh situation each year that doesn’t seem to improve
How is AI affecting jobs for graduates in Ireland?
Coverage around AI tends to exaggerate or catastrophise its impact beyond what is known
‘I really liked the idea of a 12-month programme ... where you’d get thrown into the deep end’
Naoise Finnegan (Primark) and Jack Hegarty (ESB)
The graduate guide to surviving workplace bullies: All you need to know
So how do you tackle a toxic co-worker – or worse again, a contrary boss?
How can you make your CV and LinkedIn page stand out from the crowd?
Focus on what you have to offer, zoom out a little, and identify and reflect the skills that got you this far
So, what is the good news? Graduate jobs market remains strong
Demand buoyant for skills in science, engineering, construction, agriculture and healthcare
I remember sitting there listening, thinking, ‘I could do something in tech and juggle sport too, like Katie Taylor’
Edel Lonergan (Deloitte) and Annie Kirwan (PwC) talk about their experiences of graduate programmes
The dos and don’ts of starting a new job: 15 expert tips for graduates
What you should know when beginning full-time work
What companies are offering competitive, interesting and challenging graduate programmes?
Private health insurance, pension contributions and life assurance are among the package benefits offered
‘It wasn’t even that we had some business, tech-savvy background ... we just had an idea’
From Claddagh shirts to repurposed coffee grounds, young business owners offer advise to graduates considering entrepreneurship
‘I fell in love with Dublin’s international atmosphere ... so I decided to stay and build my career in Ireland’
Leire Asua (Accenture) and Hamed Benyounis (Amgen)
How graduates can navigate the use of AI in job searching and hiring practices
Clear structure, relevant keywords and straightforward language helps AI and human recruiters assess your skills
‘Listen more than you speak’: How to make a good first impression in your first job
New to the workforce? Hit the ground running with these tips from career coaches
Should I do a postgraduate degree?
Education is never wasted, and a higher degree qualification can also be valuable to a graduate’s career
What’s a grad programme really like? ‘I’ve been given real responsibility from the start’
Finn Burke (EY) and Seán O’Reilly (Grant Thornton) tell us about their experiences on graduate programmes
Ambitious, immigrant graduates are our secret weapon
Three immigrant graduates talk about their experiences of coming to Ireland – and the possibility of running for president
Hybrid work: ‘We get the buzz of being together but without the pressure of five days in’
New graduates have the prospect of a more balanced working life than their predecessors
Workplace tech: Apps grads need to know about, from CoPilot to Canva
Some of the workplace applications graduates are likely to use in almost any new job
You’re a graduate ... now get ready for lifelong learning
‘Learners develop enhanced confidence and self-esteem, as they come to value themselves as an individual with a contribution to make’
Red flags for graduates: learning about your new role as you enter the workforce
It can be difficult for graduates without formal industry experience to understand their expectations for a job
The companies offering programmes that can take you from new graduate in Ireland to seasoned professional
From the Applegreen to Vodafone, a round-up of some of the businesses offering paid programmes for graduates
‘Lia’s journey encouraged me to further my own education’
Championing inclusivity and creative learning for future generations
A guide to using social media in your job search
Promote yourself, focus on LinkedIn, mind your digital footprint and connect and engage - key strategies for seeking work online
Graduate story: ‘A full-time job, marriage and children did not make studying simple, but the end goal was worthwhile’
I needed to prove to myself that third-level education can be pursued at any stage of life if the desire and determination are there
‘I opened my cafe just months before my finals. I’d known for a long time what I wanted on the menu’
Young entrepreneur was an undergraduate at the University of Limerick when an opportunity to start her own business came up
It’s a great time to be a graduate in Ireland
Employment prospects are positive for the class of 2025
Step-by-step guide to getting a place on that grad programme
Graduate programmes – entry-level jobs for recent graduates, with a focus on structured training – are an ideal introduction to employment
Eight things that help make a successful leader
We all recognise a good leader, but does it take a certain type of person to be one?
When to start thinking about work-life balance
Modern workplaces often employ perks as motivational tools to incentivise workers
What makes one job more attractive than another?
‘Travelling to the unfamiliar and being open to different ways of doing things and to new cultures and perspectives – that’s the real learning journey’
From AI threats to bad bosses: why emotional intelligence matters
Empathy and self-awareness aren’t just for the office – they shape our relationships too
Opportunities and challenges for new graduates
Ireland needs graduates who are open to challenges and committed to continuous skill development.
Skill, experience and expectations - navigating workplace realities
How graduates and employers work to meet each other’s expectations
Graduate programmes 2025: What is available in Ireland?
A selection of popular graduate recruitment programmes around the country
How best to leverage your degree for career success
A degree can provide you with in-depth knowledge and specialised skills that are valuable in the workplace
Graduate programme: ‘My work placement provided an excellent transition’
Leah Carroll studied engineering in UCC before joining the Irish Distillers Internship programme
10 tips on how to prepare for the workforce
How recent graduates can adapt to and thrive in their new work environment.
Applying to a graduate programme: ‘My advice would be to prepare early’
Dearbhla Crean studied mechanical engineering at UCD before she joined the ESB
‘I feel there is real purpose to the work that I do’
Aynsley McLoughlin is in her 2nd year of the Deloitte graduate programme
‘The graduate programme has been an incredible journey for me’
Sally Hickey studied Commerce at UCC before joining Vodafone
‘Show real interest in the role you are applying for’
Sophie Cunningham studied accounting at UCC before joining KPMG
‘When it comes to the interview, cover the basics’
Adam Lysaght studied computer science and business at Trinity College Dublin before joining PwC’s graduate programme
Crosswords & Puzzles
Crosswords & puzzles to keep you challenged and entertained
Stardust
Inquests into the nightclub fire that led to the deaths of 48 people
Common Ground
How does a post-Brexit world shape the identity and relationship of these islands
Family NoticesOpens in new window
Weddings, Births, Deaths and other family notices