Class of 2022: Your Next Steps
Your Next Steps: Getting started
Now that you are coming to the end of your studies, you are all at different stages in your career planning and exploring your next steps after DCU. This is completely normal and there is no right or wrong in terms of where you are at. Some of you might be starting to think about what career you would like, while others might be ready to job search and start interviewing for graduate opportunities.
To make sure you have everything you need to get started, wherever you are at, our team of Careers Consultants has compiled some of the most useful career-related resources for you to engage with how and when you like.
Click on the relevant tab below and check out our range of suggested resources to help you progress and take the next steps in your career as part of the DCU Class of 2022.
Note: The suggested resources below are provided in good faith and every effort is made to ensure that all details are correct at the time of publishing. However, it is essential to check any details and requirements directly at the source before applying for or engaging with any opportunity/activity mentioned, for example, in the case of further study opportunities. The Careers Service cannot accept responsibility for any inaccuracies.
Your Next Steps: self-directed career-related learning
Your Next Steps: Career Planning
Get started with Career Planning
Listen to our career planning podcast on DCU Podcasts: Career Conversations via this link or wherever you get your podcasts.
Watch our Career Planning video to find out what you need to do to identify a suitable career. Click here to watch.
Take an online self-assessment
Take the career interest inventory or values-based indicator to find out what your interests are and what you want from your career. Click here for more.
Explore options with your degree
Check out Gradireland's range of really useful career resources here so you can make confident career decisions.
Find out about career options within your degree area on this useful UK-based website. Click here to explore career options. Note: this is a UK website so while the job profile information is really useful, information on employers and salaries will be in relation to the UK.
Set and achieve your goals
Hear how to make a plan and take action to achieve your goals in our DCU Podcasts: Career Conversations here or wherever you get your podcasts.
Changing Careers or have a career idea but unsure where to start?
Check out the book 'Pivot' by Jenny Blake for ideas, exercises and inspiration to help you make the next move in your career.
Further study gives you the opportunity to achieve a higher qualification, progress your degree, learn new skills, continue studying and specialise in a subject you enjoy or transition into a new field. Whatever decision you choose, consider whether continuing your education will assist your career goals in the long run.
Where to source further study options?
Gradireland has some really good resources Click here to find out more
Are you considering studying abroad check out:
Please note: This information is provided in good faith and every effort is made to ensure that all details are correct at the time of publication. However, it is essential to check all information and deadline dates at source. The Careers Service cannot accept responsibility for any inaccuracies. Please check the deadline dates yourself! Thank You.
Read our tips for writing a Personal Statement for a Masters application.
Government Funded Courses
Whether you want to develop as a professional or discover a new hobby, there's an online course available. You can even take your learning further with online micro-credentials and degrees. Check out: FutureLearn
The Higher Education Authority offers free and subsidised courses at certificate, degree and master's level.
Funding
For more information, check out Student Finance and Grad Ireland for possible funding options.
Students may be eligible to apply for a Higher Education Grant from a Local Authority- Check out SUSI
If you are considering Research, more information available from Irish Research Council
Scholarships are available from private and public sector bodies and bursaries, awards, scholarships/studentships and fellowships are available from higher education institutions themselves.
If you are considering working abroad check out our top tips here
GoinGlobal is a great resource which gives you access to country - specific and employment information for more than 30 countries world-wide.
Another great resource for finding work abroad is the Prospects website
Considering a career in the EU Institutions and wondering how to go about it?
Listen to our Podcast Episode 3: EU careers -how and why
Click here for Entry level jobs in the EU Institutions
Listen to our Career Conversations Podcast on “The How and Why of Cover Letters”
Check out our “Tip Sheet and Video” on writing an effective Cover Letter.
Gradireland has a step-by-step guide explaining how to give employers the information they need to put you on the shortlist. “How to write a successful job application”
Check out “Writing Successful Application Forms”. This booklet will help you to work through each stage of completing job application forms with confidence. It will guide you on the common questions that employers want to know, including how to answer competency-based questions and how you can communicate your talent and abilities to the best effect.
“CV Booklet”: This booklet is designed as a resource to assist with CV preparation and covers both content and layout. This guide will help you to understand the skills, knowledge, experience and personal traits that can help you to make an outstanding first impression.
Assessment centres are considered by many recruiters to be the most objective and accurate method of selection and are very common in graduate recruitment. Check out our “Assessment Centre Booklet”
DCU Careers Service resources:
Get creative in your job search with our creative job- hunting video
Hear from two of our International Alumni: their career journeys to-date and their job search tips on this recording here
Gradireland Resources:
Check out Gradireland’s guide on careers advice and jobs for all sectors
What jobs can you do with your degree? Check here
Gradireland Career guides (Languages, Law, Engineering, IT, Finance and more!)
Graduate stories: videos
Diversity & Inclusion in the workplace:
Graduate recruiters explain the importance of diversity and inclusion in their workplaces here
Read an expert’s view on LGBT candidates and interview success
Watch this video from Ahead on their WAM programme for graduates with a disability.
Ahead have more great resources here for graduates.
Evenbreak have a jobs' database with inclusive companies in Ireland, the UK and Europe.
Preparing for interviews
DCU Careers Service
Check out our ‘How can I do a great interview' booklet. This booklet includes tips on preparing for questions, the different types of interviews to expect and some ideas for what questions you could ask at interview.
Need more help when preparing for interview questions along with the different types of questions to expect? Our video on ‘How to answer interview questions’ has lots of tips on this.
Phone and Online Interviews are becoming all the more common now. Have a look at our
- ‘Phone and Online Interviews’ tips sheet to help you prepare for these types of interviews.
- Also our video on ‘Making online interviews work for you’ may be useful.
Are you studying a technical related degree? If so, you may be asked to complete a whiteboard interview. This AHECS (Association of Higher Education Careers Services) video on ‘Succeeding at Whiteboard interviews’ takes you through what to expect.
GradIreland website
Gain tips and insight on Interviews and assessment centres from a range of resources on the GradIreland website.
Prospects website
The Prospects website includes a range of articles on the area of interviews with lots of tips and hints to help you prepare.
Networking, Professional Brand and LinkedIn
DCU Careers Service
Check out our Networking, Professional Brand and LinkedIn video to help you understand what networking is, identify how to develop your professional brand and acquire tips for creating your LinkedIn profile.
GradIreland website
Not sure how to network? This article on 'How to network and plan for the future' may help!
Find out more about how you can make the most of LinkedIn here.
Social Media can be a great resource when you are job searching. This article on 'Three ways to use social media when looking for a job' provides hints and tips on how to use social media to your advantage.
Your personal brand can be impactful when you are searching and applying for jobs. Hear more about the importance of your professional brand here.
Prospects website
Further tips on how social media could help with your job hunting is available here.
As a team of Careers Consultants we have compiled a list of some of our go-to podcasts, books and favourite resources to help you get inspired to take action, identify and achieve your career goals as part of the class of 2022! We hope you find them as useful and insightful as we do.
Books
Designing your Life by Bill Burnett & Dave Evans
Designing your Work Life Workbook by Bill Burnett & Dave Evans
Feel the fear and do it anyway, Susan Jeffers
Manifest, Roxie Nafousi
Atomic Habits, James Clear
Podcasts - You can listen to these wherever you usually get your podcasts
Diary of a CEO, Steven Bartlett
The High Performance Podcast, Jake Humphrey & Prof. Damian Huges
The Self-esteem and Confidence Mindset Podcast, Jonny Pardoe
Websites
Hear the success stories of career changers and get inspired on the Career Shifters website. Click here.