Graduate schemes in Ireland

The many facets of a graduate scheme

Graduate programmes refer to training and development schemes designed by corporations to address graduates that are looking for an opportunity to jump-start their professional career. Hence, similar to an internship, they offer an effective way to experience a variety of aspects concerning specific job posts, while also gaining a more in-depth understanding of an organisation as a whole. Many employers offer graduate programmes, including Analog Devices, Arup, British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Dell EMC & Henkel Norden AB.

Training & work experience - The fast track to responsibility

However, graduate programmes are more than just industry placements. They form an introduction to an organisation’s core business, structure and internal culture while encompassing intense training, continuous mentoring, and a view towards permanent employment upon completion. The training fragment often revolves around general workplace skills, such as communication, management, strategy understanding, decision making etc. which are frequently applied across a wide range of business units. Your assigned mentor will be providing on-going career advice and assistance, while also assessing your progress and individual attributes in order to boost your professional development. Most of these internship programmes are with pay.

Your future placement in the organisation hosting the graduate programme will usually be in the form of a junior managerial role. Depending on your skill sets, assessment, and overall performance, though, getting fast tracked into more responsible positions within the company is a common outcome of the programmes.

Tip: Get started on the application process for your graduate scheme by updating your CV and writing a cover letter that is tailored to the job description.

Working and living in Ireland

The Irish economy has transformed itself heavily over the past decades. Thus, Ireland presents a lot of graduate scheme opportunities for students and graduates within its so-called “knowledge economy”.

The main hub for business and political activity in the Republic is its capital Dublin, where roughly 25% of Ireland’s 4.7 million citizens live. Besides the country’s political institutions, the city is also home to the financial industry and the “Silicon Docks”, where many of the tech companies are located. Another business centre in Ireland is Cork. Besides the information and communication technology industry, other employers offering graduate schemes in Ireland can be found in medical technology and pharmaceuticals as well as in aircraft leasing (over 20% of the worldwide leased aircraft are managed from Ireland).

The universities in Ireland offer their students a range of programmes that can help you start and advance your career in different ways. 

Tip: Be aware that the requirements for job applications in Ireland may be different from what you are used to. So spend some time finding out the peculiarities of searching for a job in Ireland.