Career planning for freshers

Last updated: 22 Jun 2023, 13:22

Some simple steps for first-year students to help get started on career planning.

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If you're a first-year student it's not too early to start thinking about your first graduate job. A bit of preparation now can make things easier when you start job hunting in your final year. Here are some ideas of things you could be doing now.

Get started

  • Find out where your careers service is located and see what’s on offer.
  • Make an appointment with a careers adviser to talk about your ideas, plans or concerns.

Get career ideas

  • Research career options to see which areas might play to your strengths and weaknesses.
  • Browse the ‘first destination returns’ from your careers service and speak to alumni to get information about what graduates from your course went on to do.
  • Talk to people who work in your area of interest to find out more about their work area and role.
  • Draw up a list of personal contacts who can help you get into your chosen field.

Leaving or changing your course?

  • If you’re thinking of changing your course or leaving it altogether, make an appointment to see your careers adviser.
  • Want to apply to a new course? Visit www.cao.ie (Ireland) and www.ucas.com (UK) for information on application procedures and closing dates.
  • If you are leaving your course, be aware of the cost implications and the procedures. Check out www.studentfinance.ie , or talk to a careers adviser or tutor.

Get some experience

  • Draw up a CV tailored to the industry you're interested in, then ask a careers adviser to review it.
  • Keep an eye on your careers service’s noticeboards, newsletters and website for part-time or summer jobs.
  • Compile a target list of companies to contact for summer work and make speculative applications.

gradireland editorial advice

This describes editorially independent and impartial content, which has been written and edited by the gradireland content team. Any external contributors featuring in the article are in line with our non-advertorial policy, by which we mean that we do not promote one organisation over another.

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