Using Your UL Degree
Welcome to the General Tips section. The following tips are relevant to all of the courses that are listed in 'Using Your UL Degree'.
Choosing a career involves more than just finding out about what is open to you. Knowledge about yourself is central to the process. It is valuable to start by looking at your individual values, interests, abilities and skills in order to relate career options to you. The Cooperative Education & Careers Division has resources to help you in your self-assessment. You can drop in to see one of our Careers Advisors, browse through the Careers Service in room E0 019, or visit our website at www.ul.ie/careers.
A key feature of each degree in UL is the Cooperative Education programme (undergraduate work placement). This gives you the opportunity to further develop skills acquired on the degree programme, while simultaneously gaining relevant experience, in Ireland or abroad. Being aware of the skills you have developed on CoOp can increase your employability and make you more attractive to employers.
You will find that about 40% of vacancies advertised for graduates do not ask for specific degree subjects. However, you may sometimes need postgraduate training or work experience. Possession of the degree itself is taken as evidence of intellectual prowess. What is more important to the potential employer is the range of transferable skills and experience which you can demonstrate.
It is possible to study at postgraduate level in subjects both directly related and unrelated (conversion courses) to your first degree. You should carefully consider your motivation for study, how it fits in with your long-term career plans and whether it is likely to enhance your employment prospects. It is important that you begin investigating opportunities for postgraduate study early and in most instances applications should be made directly to the institution concerned. There is no guarantee of funding for postgraduate study and it is often easier to obtain a place than finance.
Other alternatives to entering employment or postgraduate study immediately after graduation include taking time out, voluntary work or starting your own business. These options also need thorough investigation and planning. Refer to the AGCAS information booklets "Your Degree... What Next?", "Alternative Work Styles including Self Employment" and "Working in Europe - First Steps" and the Careers Service reference files in E0 019.
© Copyright of the UL Cooperative Education & Careers Division, 2004. Our thanks are extended to the Prospects website www.prospects.ac.uk on whose model this is based. While every effort has been made, the Cooperative Education & Careers Division cannot accept responsibility for ensuring that the content accuracy is absolute.