The Irish Universities Association has launched a toolkit to support international students to manage their future careers successfully.
The Employable You graduate toolkit is designed to supplement the one-on-one support international students have access to at University Careers Offices.
At the same time, it attempts to identify issues international students or graduates face when looking for work opportunities, detail the ‘hidden’ job market and provide advice to leverage work-integrated learning, internships, overseas experience, casual work and volunteering.
“The pandemic has altered student routines including job fairs and networking”
“Employability has been a key priority for our International Education Strategy and enhancing career opportunities for international students,” said Anna Cunningham, director of International at NUI Galway and chair of the IUA International Directors Group.
“The pandemic has altered student routines including job fairs and networking so it’s more crucial than ever that we support our international students to be as work-ready as possible upon graduation.”
The guide covers key competencies employers demand such as discipline specific skills, transferable skills, and proof of being able to communicate effectively and think creatively. It also details how international graduates have specific high demand capabilities and how they can fill many of the country’s existing skills gaps.
“Universities and the IUA will continue to work in partnership with government agencies to ensure that employers understand both the value of and the process for employing Irish-based international students,” Jennifer Cleary, head of International at IUA continued.
Earlier in 2021, the government announced that international students who have studied remotely outside of the country as a result of the global health pandemic would be able to access graduate work opportunities in Ireland.
The Stamp 1G path allows non-EU undergraduate students to work in Ireland for 12 months from the date of issue of final results, as part of the Third Level Graduate Scheme. Masters or PHD students from beyond Europe also have the option to renew their Stamp 1G for a further 12 months.
“We are also delighted at the recent decision of the Department of Justice to allow international students who have been unable to travel to Ireland due to the pandemic and who are studying remotely to avail of the Stamp 1G post graduation,” Cleary added.
“This guide focuses on employment in Ireland,” the document reads. “While recruitment and employment processes differ considerably between countries, much of the advice presented here will be similarly useful for future work outside Ireland.”
