Tips to help college graduates prepare for the next step

Things have changed drastically in the world of work during the last 6 months so the plans that students graduating from college in 2020 had in relation to moving into a vibrant jobs market have altered. For many it may feel at best uncertain with the sense of feeling helpless in trying to navigate the next stage of your career in the middle of a global pandemic and associated economic downturn. In spite of all the uncertainty there are things that you can do as a final year student and graduate to develop and implement your career plan.

Start a career journal to track your activities, interactions, key information and progress. You can do this electronically or simply by writing down your reflections on this part of your journey. Reflect on your interests, values, experiences and link them to the significant information, articles, podcasts and any other career related activities that you engage with. Update your CV and your online presence. It is essential as a graduate that you have an up to date LinkedIn profile which acts as your virtual CV. Many companies use LinkedIn as their sole method of recruiting graduates now so they need to be able to see that you are and have been an active user prior to recruitment. As well as raising your professional profile LinkedIn gives you the ideal platform to build your professional network by connecting with a huge variety of other graduates and experienced workers in your chosen field and outside of it. It also gives you the opportunity to showcase your skills, competencies, passions, projects and experiences to a global audience including potential employers. Employers are looking for graduates who are resilient, adaptable and digitally literate with the ability to solve problems and cope with uncertainty. Your experience of completing your degree during a global pandemic has meant that you have developed all of these skills and competencies and will continue to do so as you move forward in a very different world of work.

If you feel there are gaps in your skillset or if you have graduated with a very broad based degree consider specialising or upskilling by undertaking a postgraduate course. As a graduate it is really important to think carefully about what your goal is on completion of a postgraduate course, be that a diploma, masters or PHD. Whether you are specializing in a particular field or changing direction by doing a conversion course you must consider which course will contribute most effectively to your ability to fulfil your career ambition in the medium term. For those who are worried that you lack relevant skills for the current jobs market or who wish to pivot in your career direction check out the government initiatives which are aimed at upskilling individuals with greater employability prospects. Recent graduates meet the criteria for the Skills Connect Programmes which become available from mid-October and are free to those seeking employment. Check out www.skillnetireland.ie to see the range of conversion courses on offer which will help you to develop the skills to explore a career in sector with greater employment potential by refreshing your existing skillset or developing a new set. Similarly www.springboard.ie offers 5,891 places on 93 graduate conversion courses over 3 years through the Human Capital Initiative (HCI) Pillar 1. The courses are full time, lasting between 12 and 18 months and leading to award levels 8 and 9. Places are available on courses in a wide range of skills areas including artificial intelligence, smart factory technology, sustainable energy, medical device technology and cybersecurity. Regardless of what route you take in the next couple of years,  will need to be ready for a very obvious question in interview – What did you do with your time during the pandemic? So think of ways that you can build your portfolio of skills and experience that will enhance your offering to employers.

If you are actively looking for a graduate position you need to spend lots of time researching the organisations that are recruiting. Explore jobs and internships, the latter will enhance your talents and hiring potential and build on the experience you gained on placement.  Keep a close eye on www.gradireland.com/interships, www.irishjobs.ie, www.monster.ie, www.jobs.ie , www.indeed.ie, www.publicjobs.ie and other recruitment sites. Follow the college career services on social media, they offer up to date information on positions that are available for graduates as well as fantastic webinars and online events to assist you in the search for a job. This week sees several virtual career fairs running in colleges around the country so check out the college social media platforms for details.

It has been an unprecedented year globally with some sectors being more adversely impacted than others. Regardless what degree you have graduated from it has included a focus on the development of soft and transferable skills. Now is your time to draw on them – show employers that you can adapt to the changing world of work because that will be exactly how the rest of your career will play out.