Kildare third-level students are being invited to a careers showcase event in Dublin next week.
Recent data shows that 6,414 students dropped out of their first year courses at third level institutions across Ireland between 2012 and 2014.
About one third of computer science students across all Institutes of Technology drop out of their course before the end of their first year.
In response, gradireland and the Association for Higher Education Careers Services has launched #FYI, a ground breaking initiative designed to enable students to understand their career options and to help them make better-informed career decisions.
Latest gradireland research reveals that over 62% of Ireland’s students are “worried about their future career” and only 61% believe that their course provides them “with the right skills for the labour market”.
On 12 April in the RDS Simmonscourt, the gradireland #FYI Careers Showcase will actively seek to address the key area of ‘employability skills’ at a unique, experiential event.
Alongside the #FYI video and graphic content, this event will feature live interactive workshops on key employability skills, with one-to-one advice from career experts for students.
Students will also be able to meet with over 40 major employers, to hear first-hand what opportunities exist for Ireland’s students; what skills they will need to access these opportunities; and what are the best ways of developing these skills during college.
Mark Mitchell, Director, gradireland, said: “The jobs market is coming back, but not as it existed pre-recession. There are more diverse careers and career paths than ever before, and for all students graduating into this modern economy, new skills are required.
"The gradireland #FYI Careers Showcase advises students on the skills they will need (and shows them how to acquire these skills) in order to help them decide what they want to do, and to get their career off to the best possible start when they graduate”.
USI Kevin Donoghue said: “This event’s aim is to increase awareness of the many career paths available to students and to broaden their minds, and in turn, their horizon, by forward-planning and thinking about their future careers”.
The event is completely free for students to attend, who can find more information at www.gradireland.com/fyi-live
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