charlotteobserver--2019-11-18--Idaho college receives $1.1M to expand teacher training

An Idaho college has received a $1.1 million grant to help reverse a statewide teacher shortage through an alternative certification program.  The Times-News reports the College of Southern Idaho plans to expand its Non-Traditional Educator Preparation Program.  The state Workforce Development Council operating under the office of Republican Gov. Brad Little approved the grant.  Officials say the program is for teachers without a certificate or hoping to change their certificate and career changers or paraprofessionals who want to become fully accredited teachers.  Officials say the accelerated, four-semester program provides classroom mentors for hands-on training as well as monthly course material delivered in person or online.  The program is expected to train 830 teachers over the three-year period of the grant.


dailyheraldchicago--2019-12-02--How District 214's Educator Prep program is training teachers early to address shortage

Editor’s note: Suburban Education Lab is an occasional series focusing on innovative programs at suburban schools, often tackling common, universal problems in education.  Four weeks into a hands-on internship working with students with behavioral issues, Brandon Zuniga knew he wanted to become a teacher.  In the spring, Zuniga helped run activities in a special-needs physical education class at Timber Ridge School in Arlington Heights, ensuring students "stay on task," because they can get hyper.  "I enjoyed it a lot," said the 17-year-old Rolling Meadows High School senior enrolled in Northwest Suburban High School District 214's Educator Prep program, which helps prepare high school students to become licensed teachers.  Zuniga plans to major in early childhood education with a minor in physical education. He is the only male student enrolled in the program.  "My favorite part is after I give a new idea to a student, I just like the smile on their face indicating they enjoy learning," he said. "When they get that 'aha' moment, that's probably the most rewarding thing in this."  Investing in such programs is key to addressing a statewide teacher shortage, state education officials say.  At District 214, participants take a three-year sequence of courses, earn early college credit and get experience co-teaching and supporting teachers in real classrooms. They complete four internship rotations in elementary, middle school, English language learner and special education classrooms at various schools.  This year, the Joyce Foundation and Illinois P-20 Council funded 21 school districts to expand and create similar teaching career paths modeled after District 214's program. Grant recipients include District 214, Plainfield District 202 and Indian Prairie District 204.  "One way to build an educator workforce is to help build the program in high schools," said Stephanie Banchero, education program director for The Joyce Foundation. "District 214 is unique. They do two things that are really smart: help kids get college credit while in high school, (and) they are giving them exposure to the profession. Those are two key components to a very strong pathway."  High school teacher preparation programs also help train people who ultimately might return to work in their communities, Banchero said.  "Research shows that teachers work within 15 miles of where they grew up," Banchero said. "So growing teachers in the community where they are probably going to live is a good idea."  District 214's Educator Prep program, started in 2016, is the most developed education career program at the high school level that other school districts have sought to emulate, officials said.  During the last four years, 350 participants have signed letters of intent to pursue careers in education, and roughly 1,000 students are taking education courses at six district sites.  Last school year, more than 100 students participated in teacher internships in partnership with nine feeder elementary districts: Arlington Heights District 25, Elk Grove Township District 59, Fremont District 79, Palatine District 15, Prospect Heights District 23, River Trails District 26, North Shore District 112, Wheeling-Buffalo Grove District 21 and the Northwest Suburban Special Education Organization.  Students who complete Educator Prep and its capstone course, Education Academy, are guaranteed placement in education degree programs at Northeastern Illinois University and National Louis University. The program's first graduates will matriculate in two years.  District 214 also supports those students in college, offering professional development and guaranteed student-teaching placements in-district and with partner schools within its communities.  "We are holding them close to us, changing our community from within," said Megan Knight, District 214 director of academic pathways and programs. "At the end of the day, our highest priority is we need our classrooms to be staffed by teachers who reflect the changing demographics of our schools. We need our students to see themselves in the people they see standing in front of them every day." • Share ideas of innovative educational programs at suburban schools by email to mkrishnamurthy@dailyherald.com.


chicagosuntimes--2019-02-14--Preckwinkle unveils dual generational job training program

Preckwinkle unveils ‘dual generational’ job training program

Parents would get job training at the schools where their kids are learning under a plan unveiled by Toni Preckwinkle Thursday that also targets 60,000 young people neither in school nor working.  Mayor Rahm Emanuel points with pride to having expanded the “One Summer Chicago” jobs program to 32,223 opportunities at a time when state and federal funding for those programs has dried up.  Emanuel is also using a $10.4 million settlement triggered by inadequate driver background checks by ride-hailing giants Uber, Lyft and Via to bolster mentoring programs for at-risk youth and spending $2.6 million to expand and sustain mentoring programs like Becoming a Man (BAM) with “demonstrable success in violence reduction.”  None of that is enough to satisfy Preckwinkle.  If elected mayor, she plans to use the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership she created as county board president to create new job training programs that better meet the needs of working parents, older employees, at-risk youth and ex-offenders.  One of the new wrinkles is what Preckwinkle’s policy volunteer Jay Lee calls a “dual generational training opportunity” that would allow “under-employed parents to train at the same schools their kids attend.”  The expiring contract with the Chicago Teachers Union earmarked $10 million to create a so-called “sustainable community schools program.”  It brings “community partners” into 20 pilot schools to provide additional services, such as literacy and language training. Every participating school gets a $500,000 grant.  Preckwinkle wants to ramp up that program to include 55 schools and add workforce agencies to the pool of organizations brought in to help provide “job training and soft skills.”  Lee pointed to a recent study by Northwestern University showing that when parents and children get “dual-generation training” at the same location, both generations benefit.  “Sometimes, these job training programs are far from where kids go to school. It becomes difficult for the parents to manage both,” Lee said.  “By creating opportunities for parents to train in the same place where their kids are going to school, you eliminate the child care burden. Kids do better knowing their parents are nearby. And parents do better knowing they don’t have to worry about their kids.”  Chicago has nearly 60,000 young people ages 16 to 24 who are not in school and don’t have jobs. Most live on the South and West Sides. They are in danger of becoming either victims of crime or criminals themselves.  To prevent those young people from succumbing to the lure of street gangs, Preckwinkle wants to modify the city’s summer jobs program to put a laser-like focus on detached youth.  Instead of just giving a kid a summer job and telling them to show up at a desk or a park, Preckwinkle wants to duplicate the “intensive,” $1 million program she used at the county to create a 90 percent job placement rate for 400 young people most at risk.  “Counselors are doing individual development and checking up on the family situation and things outside the program. Almost social work stuff. They’re finding emotional trauma resources and making sure they’re getting to work. They’re being more intentional on the employer side by finding high-growth industries and doing a match,” Lee said.  “There’s a critical need to start using the summer to get some of these kids into permanent careers with … a future. Going back to high school is great. But we know there’s a population that’s not doing that. We need to use the summer to help those kids get sustainable careers.”  Like former Mayor Richard M. Daley, Emanuel has made it a priority to find jobs for roughly 3,000 ex-offenders who return to Chicago each year.  But Preckwinkle argued that the city’s “disorganized cluster” of ex-offender programs “makes it near impossible” for former inmates to get the help they need to ease the transition home.  She’s promising to coordinate all re-entry programs through a task force under the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice.  She also plans to expand the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership’s Back to Work 50+ program with AARP to every one of Chicago’s seven city colleges.


theirishtimes--2019-03-12--How to fund your postgraduate education

How to fund your postgraduate education

As attention turns towards final undergraduate projects and exams, you may also start thinking about the next step and how you’re going to fund your postgraduate degree. Whether you intend on undertaking a taught or research postgraduate, how to fund it will be of concern to many students.  Scholarships are available from all universities, as is funding from other bodies and institutes. The following is an outline of some of the scholarships and funding available. A full list of all prizes and bursaries is available from each of the institutes’ websites and from individual departments.  All have various deadlines and application requirements, so it is imperative that you follow up with the relevant department as soon as possible and submit your application on time. For students hoping to begin a postgraduate in the 2020-21 academic year, now is a good time to begin researching as some applications will close later this year.  State funding is available for postgraduate courses through the Susi (Student Universal Support Ireland) system. Many students will be familiar with Susi if they applied to and received funding through it throughout their undergrad. However, even if a student has received Susi funding before, they will need to apply again for their postgraduate course.  Applications for the upcoming academic year open at the beginning of April. It is advised you apply as early as possible and take very careful note of all documentation required by Susi, to avoid any delay to your application and to receive your funding, if you are eligible, as early as possible. The amount awarded will depend on a number of factors, such as your own or family income, whether you are a dependent or independent applicant and your distance from the college.  Your first port of call should be the Susi eligibility reckoner (susi.ie/eligibility-reckoner-app/), which provides an indication of your possible eligibility for funding based on the information you provide to a series of questions. Postgraduate funding for Level 8 to 10 is available from Susi for a maximum of four years.  Tax relief of 20 per cent can be claimed on postgraduate fees by whoever pays the fees, be it the student themselves or another party. However, the relief is subject to a “single disregard” amount. This amount (typically €3,000 for full-time postgraduate courses) is taken away from the total qualifying fees (this is the amount paid for tuition fees, including the student contribution fee) and no relief can be received on that portion of the fees. More information is available from Revenue (revenue.ie).  Sixty taught masters scholarships worth €2,000 each are available to students undertaking full-time programmes at Maynooth University. A minimum final overall undergraduate honours bachelor’s degree of a 2.1 is required to be considered for them. More information on the scholarships is available at maynoothuniversity.ie.  Last year 27 John and Pat Hume Doctoral Award scholarships were granted by the university. Established in honour of John and Pat Hume in recognition of their lifelong support for human rights issues and their work for peace and reconciliation, the top level of funding provides an up to €18,000a year stipend plus fees for four years of PhD research. There are also lower levels of funding available. The scholarship is open across all disciplines and to both professional doctorates and part-time students. For more information visit: maynoothuniversity.ie/jphawards.  NUI Galway’s main taught masters scholarship is its 1:1 scheme, worth €1,500 each. While it is awarded to anyone with a first-class honours degree who has been accepted on to a full-time programme, an application form must still be filled out.  For those undertaking research, the Hardiman PhD Scholarships are fully funded for four years, with a stipend of €16,000 per year plus fees. The scholarships offer opportunities for suitably qualified individuals to pursue a structured PhD focused within five key areas of research: humanities; biomedical science and engineering; informatics, physical and computational; environment, marine and energy, and social science and public policy.  Those undertaking the professional master of education in order to teach through Irish at second level can also apply for a €2,000 bursary.  A number of other postgraduate scholarships varying in value are also available across a number of disciplines, such as business, technology, health sciences, and old and middle Irish. More information is available at nuigalway.ie/postgraduate_scholarships/.  UCC offers a range of scholarships and prizes, with funding ranging from €500 up to €28,000. There are a number of taught masters scholarships, such as the Quercus scholarship, which is a 50 per cent contribution towards postgraduate fees for the duration of a course; the Southern Law Association Prize (worth €1,000), and, for history students, the Michael Joseph McEnery memorial prize, worth about €12,000. For UCC graduates who have a parent with the surname O’Connor, they can apply for the €10,000 O’Connor Scholarship.  There are also large number of research scholarships available, such as the Heinz doctoral research fellowship in international business strategy (€15,000) and the David John Barry Fellowship in Food Technology and Marketing (€7,000), while medical students can apply for the Ainsworth Scholarship, which is dependent on the candidate’s financial need and the costs likely to be incurred. See ucc.ie for more information.  UL offers a number of postgraduate scholarships. Ten taught scholarships are available through UL’s Kemmy Business School and 10 from the faculty of science and engineering, each offering €2,000 towards fees. Students hoping to study any of the taught MA programmes at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance can apply for one of the €1,000 Stepping Stones scholarships available, while the academy also offers a limited number of full and/or partial fee waivers for research students at MA and PhD level. The school of allied health offers two structured PhD scholarships paying fees for four years (€17,284 in total), while the school’s interprofessional education PhD scholarship is worth €92,768 in total over a four-year period.  There are also a number of physical education and sport sciences scholarships on offer, including the Physical Education and Sport Sciences Postgraduate Scholarship and the PJ Smyth scholarship, both for PhD students, covering fees and providing a bursary of €13,000 per annum for four years. See ul.ie for more information.  DCU offers a wide range of scholarships across its schools. The John Thompson scholarship in digital marketing offers full fees and a small contribution towards books and study expenses, while the school of communications has up to five PhD scholarships with a tax-free stipend of not less than €14,000, plus fees.  The 30% Club, which aims to achieve better gender balance at all levels in leading Irish businesses, is offering a fee scholarship to female engineers or computer scientists studying on a full- or part-time basis in DCU’s faculty of engineering and computing.  The Intel scholarship worth €3,000 is available to graduates who plan to enter either the MEng in electronic and computer engineering or the MEng in mechanical and manufacturing engineering, while the UrbanVolt scholarship is available to one DCU masters student who demonstrates an innovative and entrepreneurial mindset.  The San Jose-Dublin Sister City Programme Exchange Scholarship, valued at more than $50,000, awards a taught masters scholarship to an engineering, physics or computer science graduate.  There are also a number of other scholarships available, such as sports, aviation and alumni scholarships. For more details on all scholarships visit the postgraduate section on each of the schools’ websites.  UCD has a diverse range of postgraduate scholarships, bursaries and awards varying in value. Top-performing eligible candidates can apply for scholarships in their chosen fields, such as the Achiever MBA Scholarships (up to €34,500 each); the Réalta Master in Engineering Scholarship (€7,500); the Caroline Walsh Bursary in Creative Writing (€6,300); three MA scholarships in the UCD school of English, drama and film, each to the value of €5,000; the Kevin B Nowlan Scholarship in Irish or Modern European History (€5,500); the Helga and Hugh Staunton Scholarship for postgraduate studies in German (€5,000), and 16 Intel scholarships, each to the value of €3,000.  Business students can apply for a range of full and partial merit- and needs-based scholarships, through the Women on the MBA Scholarship and the Aspire MBA and MSc scholarships for those who demonstrate the ambition to study at the Smurfit School but who need some financial help.  For more information on all scholarships contact the respective schools and colleges within the university.  TCD has a broad range of studentships, scholarships and specific funded projects for research across all disciplines, normally covering tuition fees and providing a stipend. The university also offers a number of named benefactions and awards funded by largely private donations and bequests.  However, scholarships and funding for taught postgraduate courses are more limited and when available are advertised on the individual course web pages and the website of the Office of the Dean of Graduate Studies. The university website provides a full breakdown of opportunities. Details of scholarships available can be found at: tcd.ie.  Universities Ireland, the body which promotes collaboration between universities in the North and the Republic, offers four scholarships (which last year were worth €15,000 each) to students who have been accepted to undertake a recognised masters degree or are entering the first year of a PhD programme at a university on the island of Ireland and meet a number of eligibility requirements as detailed on its website: universitiesireland.ie.  The Irish Research Council manages a range of interlinked programmes funding researchers across all career stages and disciplines. Applications for 2019-20 have already closed but those with an eye on 2020-21 should monitor the council’s website, as funding opportunities typically open at different times during the year and close at various dates from the summer onwards. See research.ie/.  The Fulbright Awards are open to Irish citizens to study or undertake postgraduate research in the US for a period of four months up to a year. Applications for 2019-20 have closed but will reopen in August 2019 for 2020-21 applications. See fulbright.ie for more.  Other sources of funding that prospective 2020-21 students should look out for include funding from the Irish Cancer Society, Teagasc and Science Foundation Ireland.


theirishtimes--2019-03-12--How to select the right postgraduate course for you

How to differentiate between what’s on offer and, more particularly, how to ensure your course has credibility in the labour market, is a major challenge.  But before you decide what you want to study, you should ask yourself about what type of programme you wish to follow: research or taught.  Taught postgraduate courses can be a continuation of your undergraduate studies or in an entirely new area. The length of a course usually determines its qualification. A higher certificate is generally a 30-credit programme over six modules. A graduate diploma is generally 60 credits and the master’s degree requires 90 credits. Taught masters often include a research component, possibly during the summer and, in some cases, in an industry setting.  Research masters, including MLitt’s, generally take 15 months to four years, depending on whether it’s full-time or part-time. If you choose a research-based course, explore the courses in your research area and the quality of the support and supervision offered. You can contact potential employers in your research area for views on the programme’s strengths.  Finding out the labour market’s opinion of the quality of support and supervision at this stage will pay dividends when engaging with potential employers near completion of your programme.  Some master’s programmes will facilitate an immediate transfer on to a PhD. A doctorate takes a minimum of three years. The topic is determined by your area of interest and those of your supervisor. Some PhDs are designed for the lone scholar under the direction of a single expert supervisor.  There are also structured PhDs where groups of students come together for transferable skills. Talk to the programme director to get help deciding which structure suits you and your work-style best.  Validity and recognition are central to choosing a programme. Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), a Department of Education and Skills agency responsible for the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ), validates all qualifications from literacy programmes at level 1 to doctoral awards at level 10 within the Stare.  The validation of any qualification is central to its value; in Ireland this is usually seen in its relationship to the NFQ. The universities, the Technological University of Dublin and the Institutes of Technology make their own awards under legislation, or under “delegated awarding power” from QQI. These awards are on the NFQ for both undergraduate and postgraduate level and are listed by the higher education institutions on their websites.  QQI also makes awards in higher education mainly for programmes offered by private or independent higher education colleges. The database on www.qqi.ie lists higher education offerings from private institutions leading to awards at level 6 and upwards.  The qualifax.ie website has information on all postgrad opportunities in Ireland, including those not validated by QQI (for example, courses in Northern Ireland that fall outside the remit of QQI).  Qualifax currently lists 2,831 postgraduate programmes up from 2,714 in 2018 in 85 institutions in Ireland, including Northern Ireland institutions which provides 351 programmes.  They range from accounting in UCD to zoology in NUIG. Qualifax also lists some programmes at private colleges, where awards are on or aligned to the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). There are another 100-plus courses offered by private colleges, with degrees awarded by external awarding bodies such as the universities in the UK.  Aside from programmes on Qualifax, highly reputable postgraduate degrees are offered online by top ranking universities worldwide. Unfortunately, there are also many worthless postgrad offerings online from colleges with little or no academic credibility.  So, for those considering programmes not validated by QQI, caveat emptor or buyer beware.  It can be difficult to verify the recognition of a qualification in another country. The European Network of Information Centres and National Academic Recognition Information Services (ENIC NARIC offices) in the relevant country is invaluable if you are considering studying abroad. See http://enic-naric.net  The Qualifax website is the source for all postgraduate courses in Ireland validated by QQI. You can search for programmes under a range of criteria, location, cost and key search words relevant to your area of interest.  For courses in NI and the UK, ucas.com has a comprehensive postgrad section. There’s a growing number of postgrad programmes through English in European universities – see eunicas.ie.  Online, highly reputable postgrads are offered by bodies such as the Open University and prestigious universities internationally.  “We see students selecting one of three types of course – depending on their own goals and motivation,” says Eilis O’Brien, director of communication at UCD.  “They fall into one of the following categories: progression students, who wish to become more expert in their bachelor subject; conversion students, who have a degree in one area but want to add skills and knowledge from another; and professional students, who want the qualification that goes with a particular graduate course.”  This third group generally have a career path mapped out, so the choice may be more about where and when. The first two groups start to think of postgraduate options around now in the final year of studies.  The high-quality Stem graduates emerging from universities and ITs have opportunities, but the competition has also increased, so many go on to graduate level to enhance their skill set.  Edel Carraway, programme internship manager for science at UCD, offers practical advice to final-year students thinking about taking a master’s or PhD: “Many students want their graduate degrees to open career doors and having an internship is very beneficial on your CV and can lead directly to a job offer from the placement company.” Many colleges offer internships as part of taught master’s, particularly in the Stem subjects.  “Seven of our science master’s degrees offer 12 to 15-week internships in semester three,” Carraway says. “Students are matched with suitable organisations and undertake a specific industry research project, which is carefully supervised and assessed.” This type of experience can be invaluable.  Science graduates with a background in life sciences or chemistry, and thinking about setting up on their own, may consider a hybrid conversion degree such as an MSc in biotechnology and business, including completing a business plan with a biotechnology company.  As a hub of biotechnology, Ireland is a good place for science graduates and an increasing number of international students are enrolling here. Biotechnology master’s and doctorate programmes with appropriate internships are also offered by DCU, UCC, NUIG and the TUD.  With 37 per cent of undergrads going on to postgrad, careers offices in colleges are crucial in advising undergraduates of their choices by running events to promote master’s and PhD options to their final-year students and preparing applications for graduate studies.


theirishtimes--2019-03-12--Matching skills with labour market demand

Undertaking a postgraduate programme is one way in which today’s graduates are future-proofing for a constantly evolving jobs market.  Undergraduates expecting to secure employment upon finighing their primary degree might be surprised to discover that they may lack the core skills which employers look for when recruiting.  For many, the option of undertaking a postgraduate programme, which will add to and complement their existing skills, is one they need to consider. Such a programme will add a set of cross-sectoral skills to complement their CV and enhance their employability.  There is increasing confluence between sectors such as information and communications technology (ICT), business and engineering, which were once considered to be unique in their own right.  ICT now permeates almost all sectors of the economy, and similarly, strong business skills are relevant across many sectors. Accounting firms today don’t only hire accountants - they are also on the lookout for marketing, IT and engineering graduates.  Arts and journalism graduates who can bring communications and social media skills are sought after by firms who need to expand their social media and online presence. Data analytics is now the fastest-growing skill in demand and demand is set to continue in the years ahead.  The combination of data and marketing skills is perhaps the most highly sought-after combination.  Evolving IT security threats and the corresponding need for greater data protection is feeding demand for IT security roles with increased demand for dedicated cyber-security functions.  Ever-increasing investment in web-based services has created a major skills shortage for software developers with Java, NET, Python, Ruby on Rails and Scala, in particular.  The intersection between finance and technology has undergone a huge shift which is changing the face of the financial services landscape.  With dozens of Irish start-ups operating in this area, the expectation is for significant growth in this area in the coming years.  The opportunities for hybrid professionals - graduates with skills spanning financial services and technology - will continue to increase as the finance and technology sector sees increasing collaboration between government, education and industry sectors.  There are abundant opportunities for graduates with large financial institutions and smaller global tech companies operating in the financial sphere as traditional companies work towards adapting to the rise of finance and technology.  There are increasing overlaps in the skill sets required across different sectors and job roles. In addition to sector-specific skills, cross-sectoral employability skills are increasingly being sought by employers.  These include people skills, critical/analytical thinking skills, management skills and creativity, design and innovation, entrepreneurialism, team working, communications and business acumen, with ICT skills and foreign languages, and cultural awareness, which is vitally important in developing our markets outside of the British Isles in a post Brexit environment.  Languages in demand include German, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, the Nordic languages and a growing need for Mandarin.  Every year dozens of companies, across a wide range of sectors, recruit graduates and postgraduates. The larger companies typically have graduate training programmes in place. They recruit graduates who can demonstrate strong academic ability, but who may have limited or even no experience of the world of work.  A graduate training programme is a way of bridging this gap by easing new entrants into the world of work and equipping them with the necessary skills required by the organisation.  Graduate training programmes tend to be up to two years long. Some will offer opportunities in different areas of the business before settling on a specific career area within the company.  Such programmes are an excellent opportunity to learn on the job, gain experience and earn some money at the same time. Graduate training programmes are a significant stepping stone to a permanent job.  Some examples of cross-sector graduate recruitment campaigns include CRH, Intel, Analog Devices, Deloitte, Bank of Ireland, ESB and Accenture.  European Movement (EM) Ireland has a long-running internship programme of three to four months, where final-year students or recent graduates undertake a placement for between three and six months in their offices in Dublin city centre. Check out CareersPortal.ie for details of other graduate recruitment programmes.  There may be a gap between the skills employers are looking for and the skills you are leaving college with. It is possible to bridge this gap.  Springboard is an initiative for higher education that offers free, part-time courses at certificate, degree and master’s level, leading to qualifications that are in demand among employers.  Most courses are one-year or less. In a rapidly shifting economic environment, Springboard courses have provided more than 35,000 people with a new skillset, specifically tailored to the needs of today’s market.  All the courses aim to reskill people in areas where job opportunities in skilled employment are growing - ICT; high-level manufacturing; medical devices; biopharma; international financial services; skills to trade internationally; entrepreneurship and business start-up; and niche skills in the construction industry.  The current Springboard+ programme offers a choice of more than 245 free, part-time and intensive conversion courses in higher education from certificate to degree to post-graduate level at certificate, degree and postgraduate level. Most are part-time, but there are also some full-time courses including ICT conversion courses. There are 8,088 free places available throughout the country.  Springboard qualifications are available in cross-enterprise skills such as innovation, enterprise/entrepreneurship, digital marketing and project management. To find out more about Springboard+ or to apply for one of its courses visit springboardcourses.ie.


theirishtimes--2019-03-12--Postgrad earnings what you can expect

Postgrad earnings: what you can expect

It’s rarely possible to say that a particular postgraduate qualification will lead to a specific job and a clearly defined salary as, outside of a narrow set of jobs in the tech and life science sectors, most courses will open up a variety of career opportunities.  Certain sectors require a postgraduate qualification: most secondary school teacher jobs, certain healthcare roles or becoming a research scientist, for instance. In most roles, however, a postgraduate qualification can give a leg-up but experience is what really counts.  That said, Graduate Outcomes, a recent survey carried out by the Higher Education Authority, did find a clear premium for postgrads, with 43 per cent of taught postgrads earning between €35,000-79,999 compared to just 24 per cent who have an undergraduate degree alone. The HEA data is not broken down by discipline, but the earnings boost of a postgraduate course is clear.  When it comes down to particular roles, we’ve included a selection of average salaries for some of the jobs that these postgraduate courses might lead to. All salaries are from the website Jobs.ie, which provides a useful breakdown of the various salaries in different roles across a range of industry sectors, and some salary comparisons between different companies. Payscale. com can also be a useful guide for budding postgraduates.  For more information, see Jobs.ie/job-talk and follow the links to the salary guides:  Helpdesk support (entry level): €24-29,000, rising to €36-40,000 after five years experience  Business analyst (entry level): €40-50,000, rising to €65-80,000 after five years experience  Data analyst (entry level): €30-50,000, rising to €65-90,000 after five years experience  Regulatory affairs officer: €30-60,000 (Dublin), €30-45,000 (outside Dublin), rising to €80-120,000 (Dublin) and €80-110,000 (outside Dublin) for a director of regulatory affairs  And a selection of average salaries according to Jobs.ie  *Salary estimates are based on salary data collected from Jobs.ie advertisements in Ireland during the last 12 months


theirishtimes--2019-03-12--Spotlight on courses around the country

Spotlight on courses around the country

We take a look at a selection of the many postgraduate courses available in Ireland’s universities, institutes of technology and colleges. Where indicated, we have listed the most popular courses by number of applications in the higher education institutions. We have also included some salary expectations for some of the potential jobs for graduates of these courses.  Prof Diarmuid Ferriter, one Ireland’s best-known and respected historians, is one of the lecturers on this new course from the largest school of history in Ireland. Students will work closely with him and other renowned historians, including Dr Lindsey Earner Byrne.  Students will have an opportunity to focus on their own particular areas of interest, and be guided by historians with a strong track record in the teaching, research and writing of a range of absorbing and provocative themes. Modules include case studies in 20th century Irish history; welfare, health and gender; public history; the legacies of Irish revolution; and European history to place Irish history in a comparative context. Students will also complete a dissertation on a specialist topic of their choice, working with their supervisor to produce a thesis based on original research. And there’s an opportunity to organise a conference, sharing research findings and developing presentation skills.  Applicants are required to have a minimum of a 2.1 or international equivalent in BA history or a related discipline.  History graduates are employed in fields including law, business, journalism, public relations, broadcasting, education and creative writing.  EU fees for the full-time course are €7,055 for the year or €4,235 for a part-time two-year course.  Popular courses on offer, by number of applications, include:  Interested in working in business, but lacking that primary undergraduate degree? The MSc in management – ranked first in western Europe for general management by Eduniversal in 2018 – might just be the course for you.  Over one full-time yea, students on this programme will be equipped with the management skills needed to work in the world of global business, with all the key areas of management covered including people management, finance, operations and strategic planning.  As the course is not designed for business graduates the intake has been consistently diverse and includes students with primary degrees in arts, science and medicine.  Modules on the course include financial management, ethical business, entrepreneurship, the psychology of management and leading change in a complex world. Students will also learn about research methods, and carry out a dissertation project based on primary research; previous projects have covered a diverse range of areas including cinema and marketing management, engineering and strategy and fashion and supply chain.  Expert guest speakers, case studies and interactive discussion will help students to critically analyse business issues and to develop their own style of leadership.  Graduates have gone on to work in areas including consulting, financial services and media/entertainment in companies including Accenture, Deloitte and EY.  Applicants must have a minimum level eight 2.1 degree as well as two academic referees.  Spotlight on: MA in critical and creative media  The MA in critical and creative media offers flexibility to students who are new to media studies and wish to gain a broad understanding of media (these students will generally need a BA undergraduate degree) or those who have studied media or a related discipline and wish to specialise.  The course allows students to choose from a selection of subjects with a wide range of themes relating to production and practice, media history and media theory. Students who are keen to explore the interdisciplinary nature of media can also choose to take courses in related disciplines such as sociology, law, geography, anthropology and Irish. They will develop transferable research, writing and analytical skills.  Depending on the route students take through the degree, the course prepares them for a career in digital media, audiovisual production, marketing and advertising, research, content production, the arts sector or further postgraduate studies. Graduates have gone on to work in content writing, journalism and digital marketing. One graduate, Dafe Pressu, produced a soundtrack and documentary on Irish hip-hop music,and is now working in marketing.  Students must have a 2.1 honours degree in media studies or a related subject in humanities, art, social science, communication or ICT.  Full-time EU fees are €6,200 for the one-year programme or €4,170 for a flexible two-year part-time course  Popular courses on offer, by number of applications, include:  This two-year, full-time course offered by UCC’s college of medicine and health is an accelerated pre-registration programme for students with a primary degree in subjects other than diagnostic radiography. The course – which was the first programme of its kind in Ireland – aims to provide students with knowledge and experience of both academic and clinical environments including clinical and research skills and the abilities necessary for working and developing as clinicians, researchers and agents of change in healthcare.  Modules on the course include professional practice in radiography, biological sciences for health professionals, image interpretation, advanced radiation science and diagnostic pathways and patient needs. Students will also undertake three clinical placement blocks in semesters two and three of first year, four clinical placement blocks for a total of 20 weeks in second year and an elective three-week placement for those who wish to encounter other hospital experiences. There’s also a short research proposal and a research dissertation to complete.  Classes will take place from 9am-5pm every day during term time.  Possible careers, once graduates are registered with CORU, include advanced or consultant practitioner, management or teaching.  Some students may be eligible for a part-scholarship sponsored by the HSE South/South West Hospital Group. Fees are €11,000 for each of the two years (total: €22,000).  Popular courses on offer, by number of applications, include:  New course: MA sports journalism and communication  AI is predicted to make many jobs obsolete with the coming decades, but – according to research carried out last year by audit firm PWC – it will create many more than it displaces. The World Economic Forum estimates that by 2025 machines will perform more current work tasks than humans today, while AI and robotics could contribute over €13.2 trillion to the global economy by 2030.  This new full-time, one-year programme will equip graduates to work in this major growth area, which has the potential to transform every aspect of our lives and worlds.  Foundational modules include machine learning and deep learning, ethics in AI and natural language processing, while advanced modules include data visualisation, web and network science and tools and techniques for large-scale data analytics.  This is a particularly competitive course: applicants should have a first class honours from a level eight computer science programme, or a level eight science programme that provides extensive training in computing (such as object-oriented programming, modern software engineering and database development). However, applicants with a strong 2.1 degree may be admitted on the recommendation of the programme director.  EU fees for this course are €7,215.  New courses at Dublin City University and the University of Limerick  This year DCU has introduced three very timely new courses with a focus on mental health, wellbeing and inclusion.  The new MSc in psychology and wellbeing provides psychology graduates with a strong grounding in theory, policy and practice of wellbeing. The focus of the course is on the psychological, societal, environmental and physical factors on the wellbeing of individuals, families and whole communities. This programme is intended as a springboard for students going on to further clinical, research or professional psychology careers in education, community settings, mental health, family support and clinical psychology. The course is offered on a one-year full-time or two-year part-time basis. Fees are €7,650 (full time) or €15,300 part-time.  The second of DCU’s courses is a Masters of education in autism (MEdA). Last year DCU became the world’s first autism-friendly university. This has involved creating spaces that are more comfortable for students with autism, providing training to help staff understand the challenges that people with autism may face and celebrating students on the autism spectrum. This new course is a part-time blended, two-year programme open to qualified teachers working with pupils on the autism spectrum and is focused on developing teachers with a greater understanding of the educational needs facing learners with autism. There is a significant amount of online learning. Students on this course complete a thesis. Applicants must hold a minimum H2.2 level eight education qualification. EU fees are €4,500 per year.  The MEd in specific learning difficulties (dyslexia) is a two-year part-time course with a mix of online learning and some weekend lectures. The course aims to develop expertise among educators working with learners who have specific learning difficulties, and is based on a professional portfolio rather than a thesis. Participants on this course learn to write diagnostic reports, especially in the context of the teaching environment, and will become specialists in diagnostically assessing for dyslexia, planning the most appropriate interventions and teaching students with dyslexia and literacy difficulties. Applicants working in a range of educational settings, including primary, post-primary and higher education, are welcome. Fees are €3,900 in year one and €4,300 in year two.  The University of Limerick has also introduced a number of new courses.  The MSc in design for health and wellbeing, offered by the faculty of science and engineering, is a one-year, full-time programme bringing together students from across different disciplines to develop and apply people-centred, innovative and interdisciplinary approaches to designing consumer health and wellbeing products, medical devices and product service systems for health. Stakeholders from hospitals, mental health services, public health and health care have been involved in designing the programme. EU fees are €6,225 for the year.  The MSc in applied sports coaching, offered by the faculty of education and health science, is a two-year, part-time programme giving experienced coaches the chance to develop their skills and work with leaders and researchers in sport coaching. The programme is offered by the department of physical education and sports sciences, and the fee is €4,000 per year.  Also at UL, the new MSc in business analytics is a one-year, full-time on offer at the Kemmy Business School which will train graduates to work in the growing area of solving business problems using statistical methods, large data sets, predictive models and optimisation techniques.  The MA in composition and creative music practice, a one-year full-time programme where students will create acoustic and/or electronic music through a range of composition, improvisation and performance practices. The course draws from UL’s expertise in music teaching and research, and students from all music traditions and sound art practices are welcome. For fee information on these two courses contact UL’s postgraduate office.  Popular courses on offer, by number of applications, include:  This is a two-year part-time masters with classes taking place on Mondays and Wednesdays in TU Dublin’s Tallaght campus (formerly IT Tallaght before its merger with the Dublin Institute of Technology and IT Blanchardstown).  The course is for hospitality and culinary management professionals who are interested in innovative food to meet the consumer demands and expectations in the growth area of health and wellness.  Modules on the course include flavour science, human nutrition, culinary nutrition, food regulatory affairs and strategic marketing for the contemporary chef. Students will also complete professional practice and an applied research project.  Graduates can expect to develop the skills needed to work in diverse roles including culinary innovation and food product development, food consultancy, food marketing, food production and service, food science research and nutritional analysis.  Applicants must have a level eight honours degree, although applicants who hold a level-seven (ordinary degree) but have gained sufficient industry experience will also be considered. Students who do not wish to complete the applied research project can exit with a postgraduate diploma in applied culinary nutrition.  The course costs €2,750 per year (€5,500 in total) including a non-refundable €100 application fee.  Popular courses on offer, by number of applications, include:  Cyber security has become increasingly important as more and more life moves online, and the skills gap in this area continues to grow. CIT’s MSc in information security has a strong emphasis on how knowledge can be applied, while being underpinned by in-depth theoretical knowledge.  Modules on the course include web application and network penetration testing, cloud security, incident response and digital forensics, data analytics and malware investigations. Students will also carry out an information security research project.  The course is offered on a full-time on-campus day programme basis as well as part-time online night programme. EU students will pay €6,500 for the full-time course, and €9,000 for the part-time course.  Applicants should have a minimum level eight honours degree in computing or a related discipline, although applicants with significant industrial experience may also be considered.  Popular courses on offer, by number of applications, include:  MSc in quality and safety for health and social care  This one-year, full-time taught MSc degree focuses on how we can apply the insights gained from animal behaviour to wildlife conservation. Conservation behaviour is a relatively new area of study, and will be of interest to people interested in careers in ecological consultancies, research institutes, government agencies, NGOs and charities.  Students will study species in marine, freshwater and terrestrial habitats, acquiring a range of skills including acoustic and visual monitoring of marine mammals, camera trap surveying for terrestrial mammals, geographic information systems and data analysis. Modules include studies in conservation behaviour, animal behaviour, recording and analysis, and acoustic monitoring as a marine conservation tool.  Students will also develop practical field skills during a residential field course in an area that allows them to study a range of animals in a variety of habitats (eg the Aran islands, the Burren, the Dingle peninsula) and to undertake a research thesis.  EU fees for this course are €6,000.  A selection of postgraduate research groups across business, engineering, health sciences, science and computing, humanities, and lifelong learning and education are looking for students to carry out postgraduate research degrees including masters by research and PhD degree programmes. Programmes are designed to allow students network with postgraduates in other disciplines, with optional weekly seminars on a range of topics as well as sessions aimed at developing practical skills organised by the WIT graduate studies office. Students are supervised by at least two academics with experience in the research topic.  In addition, PhD students will be able to develop transferable skills through modules such as academic writing for research postgraduates and research integrity and ethics.  Students can apply for funded or self-funded research programmes. Anyone interested in self-funded programmes should contact WIT academic staff to discuss potential topics, while those applying for funded positions as advertised on the WIT website and elsewhere can apply directly to the research group on Google search “WIT postgraduate prospectus” for more information.  MA and PhD by research in art and design  Youth workers will be interested in this level nine special purpose award which aims to equip them with the skills to engage young people in youth work through games. Students on the course will learn about the role of games in youth culture, and will gain the skills needed to design them.  Students on this part-time course must be actively involved in youth work, either as a paid employee or a volunteer. Teaching will be by online lectures, reading material, weekly seminar at the LIT Thurles campus and a monthly three-hour webinar.  Modules on this course include critical youth work theory, games and youth engagement, digital games in contemporary youth culture and designing games for youth work practice. Assessment will be by a project agreed with the host youth organisation, an essay or project, and online questions.  PG Dip/ Master of engineering in connected and autonmous vehicles  This is a two-year, full-time programme concentrating on advanced interior architectural design. The course combines elements of architecture, art, fashion, furniture and product design, graphics and performing arts. Students will be encouraged to discover their own style and expression by engaging in active research.  There are four elective streams on this programme including interiors without boundaries, innovative building conservation, contemporary furniture design and energy and the built environment.  Applicants should have a minimum 2.2 degree in interior architecture, architecture, interior design or a related subject.  For fee details, contact IT Sligo on 0719155222 or email admissions@itsligo.ie  Popular courses on offer, by number of applications include:  Spotlight on: MA in advanced professional practice (intake every second year)  Using a mix of online and blended learning options, this is a two-year, part-time programme geared towards graduates from a range of backgrounds including health, education, welfare and social care. The course aims to equip graduates with a thorough understanding of how research, policy and practice are important in shaping work activities.  Modules on the course include leadership, social policy, affecting social justice in practice and international comparative social policy. Students will also undertake a research project.  Applicants should have a minimum 2.2 honours level eight degree. Fees are €6,375 in total across the two years.  NCAD is offering four new design MA programmes for 2019, all of which are suitable for applicants from a broad range of disciplines including design, art, humanities, social science, computer science, engineering and business. Scholarships are available across all disciplines.  The MA in service design is a one-year taught masters applying design practice, methods and thinking to the service sector, including retail, tech, banking, transport, health and education, with students examining the issues facing business and governments, and creating new services to transform customer and citizen experiences.  The MA communication design is a 15-month research masters where students will develop the skills needed to succeed within contemporary graphic design, illustration and moving image. Research and critical studies are combined with advanced studio practice.  The MA design for body and environment, also a 15-month research masters, covers a broad range of design disciplines including fashion and textiles, jewellery and accessories. Students will examine the past, challenge the present and develop ideas that address industry, social, cultural and political agendas.  Finally, the MA product design is a 15-month research masters where students will address real world challenges of balancing creativity and technical capability to meet the needs of people in homes, workplaces or the public domain.  A small but well-respected college at the intersection of Dublin’s IFSC and Silicon Docklands, NCI specialises in business, computing and human relations.  This one-year full-time or two-year part-time course is aimed at anyone who wants to advance their career at senior management, particularly in HR. Graduates will be eligible for chartered membership of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).  Modules include employment law, talent development and mediation and conflict management. Students will also learn about research methods and carry out a dissertation.  Applicants should hold a minimum 2.2 level eight degree, although some graduates with extensive professional experience or other relevant qualifications will be considered.  Griffith College offers three separate law masters courses, including LLM in international law, LLM in international commercial law and LLM in international human rights law.  The LLM in international law is offered across one year full-time or two years part-time. Core modules on the course include public international law, international commercial law and international human rights law, while electives include corporate governance, international tax law and international criminal law.  Applicants should have a minimum 2.2 degree in law or a related discipline where law comprises at least 50 per cent of the course. EU fees are €7,200.  This course aims to produce graduates who understand how tech is changing the world of finance, with digitisation, block chain and the cloud among the innovations affecting the industry. The course was developed with industry collaboration to meet specific skills shortages in the finance sector (including banking, insurance, tech and start-ups) and students can expect to learn about financial analytics, advanced databases, disruptive technologies, web tech and security. Students will also learn about research methodologies, and carry out a project.  Applicants should have a minimum 2.2 level eight degree in a related discipline, or at least two years’ industry experience.  The MSc nursing (advanced leadership) aims to develop the student’s ability to reflect on their leadership role and examine theories and policies underpinning health and healthcare at individual and organisational level.  During this two-year part-time programme students will have the opportunity to build their confidence in taking a leading role as an effective member of a healthcare team and enable them to actively participate in the interdisciplinary team approach to care delivery.  The course also provides an opportunity to develop and engage in research projects and activities across disciplinary boundaries in the area of leadership. Students will develop an in-depth knowledge of information retrieval, data management skills, referencing skills, systematic reviewing, research implementation and action research skills.  The early childhood care sector has grown significantly in recent years and is becoming a graduate-led workforce. Graduates with recognised degrees attract higher capitation fees for early-years settings which offer the free childcare scheme, and, as a result, are highly sought by employers.  One of these degrees is the higher diploma in arts in early years Montessori education, delivered by St Nicholas Montessori College in Dublin and Cork. While this is a level-eight qualification it is only open to learners who have previously earned a degree.  The degree provides a foundation in Montessori philosophy and practice while also providing graduates with the core competencies, skills and knowledge needed to work with children in the national Síolta and Aistear frameworks. Students will also complete business and legal modules to enable them establish their own early-years businesses. The course is delivered across 18 months on a full or part-time basis, with tuition in the evenings and weekend. Placement is an essential part of the course.  For more information, see smsi.ie or call 012300080.


theirishtimes--2019-05-20--Why Science Employers across all sectors value science graduates

Why Science? Employers across all sectors value science graduates

For secondary school students, science generally means physics, chemistry and biology. At third-level, however, science is a very broad term, and refers as much to a way of thinking - the scientific method of testing and proving ideas about the universe and everything in it - as to any particular subjects.  Zoology, geology, pharmacology, genetics, nanotechnology and astronomy are among the other science subjects available in college. Meanwhile, maths, psychology and even philosophy are among the disciplines that use a scientific method.  Some colleges and universities offer broad, general entry science courses, with students taking a wide range of subjects in first year before going on to specialise down the line; these include DIT, UCD, WIT, NUI Galway and Maynooth University.  Others, including UCC and UL, have opted to retain more specialised entry routes while, last year, Trinity College moved to introduce four distinct entry routes: biological and biomedical sciences, chemical sciences, geography and geoscience and physical sciences.  CIT has a mix of science entry, while DCU students undertake a common-entry science route before choosing from one of eight degree courses, including biotechnology, physics & astronomy, applied physics, and genetics & cell biology.  Employers across all sectors value science graduates because they are highly-trained critical thinkers and creative problem-solvers. They’re needed to work on clinical trials, research and development, regulation, particularly in biopharmaceuticals, microbiology, product development, food policy, business and the civil service.  Of course, some will go straight into research, whether in academia or the private sector, but most science graduates don’t work in labs and wear white coats, and they’re particularly sought after by finance and tech firms.  The last recession saw received tradition turn on its head, as students abandoned once-popular arts courses and chose science, technology, engineering and maths courses instead.  This has led to points rising over the past decade, although they have stayed relatively steady or even declined slightly over the past two years.  Trinity’s biomedical science and physical sciences courses both required 509 points, UCD’s general entry science courses stood at 505, NUI Galway required 401 points and Maynooth University applicants needed 350.  A recent Higher Education Authority survey found that 64 per cent of science graduates were in employment or about to start a job within nine months of graduation, with a further 28 per cent in postgraduate education or further training, while graduates could expect to be on €32,070 within nine months of getting their degree.


theirishtimes--2019-09-26--Learn or earn Is a postgraduate course the right choice for you

Learn or earn: Is a postgraduate course the right choice for you?

Gone are the days when education was capped with a third-level or postgraduate qualification. Today, in most professions, some level of lifelong learning is unavoidable. But for many people who have recently finished their undergraduate degree, deciding whether or not to take on a postgraduate course or go straight into the workplace can be a tough call. And, unfortunately, there really is no one-size-fits-all answer.  Dr Fergal O’Brien is the assistant dean of postgraduate studies at the University of Limerick. “Demand for postgraduate courses is cyclical and driven by the economy,” he says. “In a recession, people may want to stay in education but there are issues around financing. During a boom, there is the attraction of the labour market, whereas a [full-time]postgraduate course may delay it.”  Right now, we are in the teeth of a boom, but Brexit, Donald Trump’s trade war and our relentless capacity to trash the environment could herald a recession. One seemingly obvious decision is to work for a few years and consider a postgraduate course down the line, but the risk is that it can be very hard once you’re earning money to go back to education.  “Many are still choosing to do a postgraduate course fresh out of college,” says Dr O’Brien. “There is a trade-off. You can go into the workforce now and, if there’s a recession in two years’ time, you have to consider whether the employer will value that experience more than a postgraduate.”  “It really depends on the employer,” Dr O’Brien says. “When a slowdown comes, new entry positions will have higher entry requirements than before. A masters qualification is really helpful in getting a promotion or when moving jobs, but it’s perhaps less important in the first job. When you’re up against colleagues with the same level of experience, the postgraduate qualification [can help].”  At Trinity College, Shaz Oye, the new president of the Graduate Students’ Union, took 52 per cent of the vote in a three-horse race by promising to fight for the rights of postgraduates and ensuring they are not taken for granted. She says Irish society needs postgraduates, and a qualification is a prerequisite for some for many jobs – but many are saying that courses are hard to fund and that their contribution isn’t adequately valued.  After leaving school, Oye went straight to work. She is one of those relatively rare postgraduate students who was accepted onto a course based entirely on her prior work experience.  “I have never been impressed, if on an interview panel, if someone sitting in front of me has never worked. If they have gone straight from school to undergraduate and then immediately onto a postgraduate, without any work experience, I’m hesitant. Ultimately, there is no shortcut to experience, and you can’t learn everything in the classroom. I have worked in companies where they need people who can hit the ground running – you need to have some sort of experience.”  Postgraduate courses can cost between €7,000-€15,000 depending on what you study and where, but the big question is whether it’s worth the investment. “Research shows it does pay off over a person’s career, but it can be hard right now when the cost is exacerbated by higher rental and living costs,” says Dr O’Brien.  Either way, there are options. Part-time courses, often delivered fully or partially online, are in demand, because it means people can work and study at the same time.  “Universities are becoming more flexible and adaptable to accommodate the different needs of different learners, including those who are some distance from the college as well as student professionals who may wish to do just one module in an area that will enhance and improve their work,” says Oye.  The downside, of course, is that working and studying at the same time can be exhausting. And, as Oye points out, postgraduate programmes mean that you are, at least, “studying to become a master of knowledge in that specialist field, so you have to be very clear about why you are doing it, and be aware it requires a high level of academic rigour”.  Of course, in some instances, a postgraduate is particularly useful, or even essential.  “There are two types of postgraduate students: one group have been studying for three or four years and want to learn more, while another group may wish to change course or reposition themselves,” says Dr O’Brien. “So we see a lot of finance graduates who might, for instance, wish to move into analytics, and a postgraduate course is the route.”  Postgraduate students at DCU Business School also tend to fall into two categories, says Prof Anne Sinnott, executive dean at the DCU Business School: those students opting to convert to business after completing an undergraduate degree in science or the arts, or business students who want to specialise further in a business discipline or in an industry that is of particular interest to them.  Either way, the benefits are clear: “Postgraduate programmes offer a very different learning experience, such as smaller class sizes, tailored course content, opportunities to engage with companies and personal development opportunities,” she says.  “These add value to students’ employment prospects and form a much stronger base for career development than just having an undergraduate degree.”  Some graduates can have the best of both worlds: with a shortage of staff in many areas, many big firms recruit straight out of college in areas as diverse as finance, accounting, pharmaceutical, technology, retail, fast moving consumer goods and elsewhere. This means graduates can go straight into a paid role where they also receive on-the-job training and opportunities for further learning and career progression too.  Free, massive open online courses (MOOCs) may also be a way for graduates to learn new skills: although they don’t lead to a qualification, they can help people to figure out whether a course is a good fit.  Value postgrads – or take them for granted?  At Trinity, Oye’s platform includes entering into a conversation with the college authorities on accepting and recognising that postgraduate and masters students are doing extensive work for the college without adequate payment. “PhD candidates teach, design new modules, assist tutors in labs and classrooms, have their own projects and put in a lot of hours. They may receive a stipend of €16,000 a year in the best-case scenario, but others are on less. This is not enough to cover the cost of rent and living in Dublin. There has been a culture in academia that treats students as lucky to be here, and there has been a lack of recognition that they are service users of the organisation and paying a lot of money. We need innovative thinking to get postgraduate work and study appropriately valued, and this is a hot issue in college life.”  Oye says a rise in research grants for the work doctoral candidates carry out, even by about €4,000, would make a real difference to people’s lives but barely make a dent in the education budget.  Is it worth it?  Oye is careful, however, not to paint postgraduate courses as all doom and gloom. “I loved it the day I came here. I am doing something I adore and would not be anywhere else for any money. I would recommend to younger students who are considering a postgraduate course to think carefully about the type of career they want and the experience and knowledge they will need. Find out what employers are looking for in the areas that interest you. There may be opportunities in some areas, such as drama, to do a continuous professional development course that is much shorter, cheaper and more suitable than a postgrad.”  Prof Sinnott says there are plenty of options available for further study but stresses the importance of preparation.  “Employers value lifelong learning and many students will opt to complete a part-time programme or executive education programme as their career progresses and the skills needed in a particular field evolve,” she says.  “It’s never too late. I’d advise anyone thinking of doing a masters to understand their motivation, look closely at course content and be sure to get answers to any questions you may have about particular course. Come to an open evening if you can.”  If postgrads were free and people were paid to do them, the choice would be a lot easier. But just how can a student finance their course?  Springboard is a Government-run initiative that offers free courses in areas of the economy that are experiencing key skills shortages. At the moment, there’s strong demand for ICT skills conversion courses, with one-year full-time and two-year part-time courses open to graduates a year after completing their undergrad. For full details and eligibility criteria, see Springboard.ie.  Postgraduate students can apply for a limited amount of financial assistance: this can vary between €2,000 and €6,270, depending on your personal circumstances. You’ll find more details on Susi.ie.  Various third-levels and their individual faculties or departments also offer scholarships. At UCD, for instance, these include the Réalta Master in Engineering Scholarship and the Caroline Walsh Bursary in Creative Writing. It’s definitely worth contacting the department you’re interested in and seeing what’s on offer.  The Irish Research Council also offers potentially lucrative awards to research students, but the process is highly competitive. See Research.ie.  Tax relief of 20 per cent is available on postgraduate fees. And don’t forget: students can claim postgraduate grants and multiple scholarships at the same time.


theirishtimes--2019-09-26--Programmes that offer graduates a route into industry

For graduates seeking an insight into how some of the most successful corporations, businesses and firms in Ireland are run, then a place on The Chartered Governance Institute graduate scheme, to become a company secretary or chartered governance professional, could be just the ticket. Ensuring organisations operate sustainably, ethically and responsibly, this is a position where graduates can have influence, working with company boards and senior decision-makers from the get-go.  Those with a business, finance or law degree can launch their career immediately with their qualifying programme. Those with no legal or business background can enter the scheme through its foundation programme, where graduates will earn a level 4 foundation certificate before progressing to the next stage of the programme.  Qualifying as a chartered governance professional or chartered secretary is achieved by completing the Chartered Governance Qualifying Programme or an ICSA-validated postgraduate programme at its partner university, Ulster University, which can be taken in Dublin. Students taking either option will take exams and study for about two to three years before qualifying. Study can be undertaken while working, blending the practical with the theoretical, so students can gain invaluable practical experience alongside an internationally recognised qualification.  The Lidl Graduate Development Programme is an 18-month programme with the German supermarket giant, directed at graduates seeking to enter one of the programme’s nine streams: ecommerce; IT; sales; management; accounting; marketing; environment, health and safety; audit; purchasing; and central services.  All graduates hit the ground running, beginning with a four-month operational training programme before being placed in their chosen area for the remaining 14 months of the programme. Graduates then get to experience all aspects of how the business works, spending time in stores, warehouses and head office. One-to-one coaching, as well as a structured mentorship programme, and competency assessment days are also part of the programme.  “We’re looking for potential to develop and progress, so soft skills are key, such as effective communication, entrepreneurial actions, organisational and problem-solving skills,” says Aoibheann Maddy, recruitment and retention at Lidl Ireland, explaining what kind of applicants they seek. “For us, it’s important to recruit graduates with a growth mindset, who are looking for opportunities to develop and learn and who are adaptable and open to change.”  The programme runs annually, with applications closing on October 31st, 2019, for those applying for positions on the 2020 programme.  The Aldi Graduate Area Management Programme offers recent graduates an opportunity to pursue a career in management over the 12-month scheme. Each year, Aldi recruits about 100 area managers across the UK and Ireland through the scheme, although this figure is ever-increasing as the business expands.  Successful applicants begin the programme in store for six months, before transitioning to shadow many different, experienced area managers, in anticipation of eventually taking charge of their own stores. In the final six months, in addition to shadowing, graduates train with regional teams, such as store operations, logistics, and buying.  Graduates will have a dedicated mentor, as well as regular one-to-one sessions with colleagues.  “Training at Aldi puts graduates right into the heart of the action, where they work their way through every role in store to gain a real understanding of how the business works,” explains Hannah Condron, personnel development manager at Aldi Ireland. “Every day is different at Aldi, and it’s important that our graduates are exposed to this reality during their training.”  Applications for the Aldi Graduate Area Management Programme for 2020 are open until November 30th, 2019.  The Jameson International Graduate Programme employs 80 graduates on its programme across 50 international markets, recruiting 20 to 30 new graduates each year.  Successful applicants are offered an initial 13-month contract, which includes four weeks’ training followed by 12 months on placement in their assigned market. Following this 13-month period, graduates can then apply to rotate markets and extend for a further 12 or 24 months. Upon completion of the programme, 70 per cent of graduates move into permanent positions within either Irish Distillers or Pernod Ricard globally.  “No two days are the same on the Jameson International Graduate Programme,” says Sinéad D’Arcy, head of the programme. “One day, a brand ambassador could be educating bartenders on Jameson Irish Whiskey, the next you could be hosting an event, the next you could be interviewed on a local radio show.” The variety, she says, means graduates must have strong time and project-management skills, as well as a passion for the work they are doing.  Those seeking to apply do so through an online application, which includes a brief written application as well as a two-minute video submission, allowing applicants to tell their own story. The online application for the 2020 intake of the programme closes on January 15th, 2020.  Public Jobs runs its graduate programme for those wishing to enter the Civil Service. The programme is about nine months in duration, and graduates undertake eight modules over the course of the programme – in administrative office competencies: leadership potential; interpersonal and communication; analysis and decision-making; and delivering for results; and Civil Service modules: communication in the Civil Service; Government accounting; evidence-based policy making; and introduction to the legislative process.  Applicants must have a first or second class honours degree, while applicants to specialist streams such as business, finance and human resources must have a relevant level 8 qualification. Graduates will receive guidance and input from subject matter experts adapted to their level in order to allow them to flourish, both personally and in the workplace. The graduate programme “encourages participants to begin to develop their professional network of Civil Service colleagues and to learn to collaborate with those of different departments with competing priorities and perspectives, in preparation for their future careers as leaders of the Civil Service,” says Fiona Farrell, marketing and communications officer at the Public Appointments Service. Applications will open online from Tuesday, October 1st, until 3pm on Monday, October 7th.  The Fulbright Commission in Ireland awards grants to Irish citizens to study, research or lecture in the US, and for Americans to do the same in Ireland. Grants are available across all disciplines, and offer additional opportunities in areas such as health, new technologies, climate change, sustainability, marine science, forestry, and many others.  The Fulbright Program was established in 1946 by Senator J William Fulbright, seeking to foster mutual cultural understanding between countries through educational exchange. Since its foundation, 2,000 individuals have participated in the programme between Ireland and the US. Fulbright Irish Awards are open to Irish citizens, or EU citizens who have been living in the Republic of Ireland for at least the last three years. The awards are open to current or prospective postgraduate students, scholars, and professionals with at least five years’ relevant professional experience.  Emma Loughney, communications manager at the Fulbright Commission of Ireland, advises: “Applicants must demonstrate a strong rationale for going to the US, strong leadership skills or potential, and an understanding and commitment to the ethos of being a Fulbrighter.”  The application deadline for the 2020-2021 Fulbright Irish Awards is October 31st, 2019.  The Aer Lingus Graduate Recruitment Programme offers graduates the opportunity to learn about the aviation industry, while working across both corporate office and operational areas. Aer Lingus currently employs 16 graduate employees, and will take on four more to start the two-year programme in September 2019.  Graduates on the scheme specialise in the specific department of most interest to them, with current graduates working across finance, revenue management, operations, marketing, HR and engineering. Those working in the finance department will stay with the company for the duration of their professional exams, that is, about 3½ years.  Because of the vast size of the company and the range of departments, interpersonal and teamwork skills are of extreme importance for incoming graduates. Graduates are assigned experienced mentors to offer them guidance and advice outside of their day-to-day tasks.  “Aer Lingus is focused on nurturing talent, sharing our knowledge of the airline business, and constant learning and feedback in an ever-evolving industry, creating a great work experience for graduates,” says Tess Brady of Aer Lingus. “Ongoing training is central to the programme, with a strong investment in professional development along with on-the-job learning.”  Applications for the next programme intake open in early 2020, with assessment taking place in spring, and induction taking place in September 2020.  Each year, KPMG takes on 350 graduates to its programme across its four offices in Dublin, Cork, Galway and Belfast.  The programme employs graduates from all degree disciplines, including accounting and business, but also technology, science, maths and engineering. The scheme consists of a mix of client work and team projects, while working towards the professional chartered accounting qualifications, preparing graduates for long-term careers.  The graduate programmes typically last between three and 3½ years, and for those pursuing them, continue for the duration of graduates’ professional exams. “We believe that training is about more than preparing you for your professional exams; it is about preparing you for a career as a professional business adviser, through on-the-job development and relevant formal training programmes,” explains Kelli O’Malley, communications manager at KPMG.  Applications for the 2020 programme close on October 13th for non-chartered accountant roles, and October 16th for chartered accountant roles.  Deloitte runs nine graduate programmes every year, with each focused on a different kind of role: audit and assurance; actuarial, reward and analytics; consulting; restructuring services; risk advisory; tax; technology programmes; apprentice solicitor programmes; and Deloitte (Northern Ireland).  Each of the pathways varies in length, depending on the professional qualifications undertaken by the individual graduate.  Deloitte employs more than 3,000 people in Ireland, with graduate opportunities available in Dublin, Cork, Galway and Belfast.  Deloitte is seeking graduates from a wide range of backgrounds. “Throughout your graduate training and entire career, you’ll connect and collaborate with colleagues across different teams, to tackle challenges for our clients,” explains Finola Gallagher-Taaffe, manager of talent and learning at Deloitte. “From the moment you join, you’ll be treated the same as your more experienced colleagues, valued for the unique contribution you make and the fresh ideas you bring.”  The PwC graduate programme can last between 3½ and five years, depending on what exam route the graduate takes for its professional exams. PwC also offers graduate contracts to students in its consulting practice who opt to take a non-exam route.  PwC takes on 350 graduates each year across its various programmes. It seeks ambitious students who wish to progress and develop personally and within the firm, and those with a strong academic record, great technical skills and excellent relationship-building skills. While on the programme, graduates receive in-class training and support as well as career progression assistance as they near the end of the programme.  “The culture at PwC offers more than just a place to work,” says people partner Emma Scott. “Graduates will be joining a value-driven, innovative, collaborative, tech-enabled workplace. From day one, graduates can expect to work on interesting and important projects, supported by their teams and coaches.”  Applications for the 2020 programme are open until October 14th for the consulting stream and October 16th for the assurance, tax and risk assurance streams.  EY employs graduates to any one of its five departments – assurance; tax; transactions; advisory; and IT, data analytics and cyber. The advisory or IT, data analytics and cyber programmes last two years, while the others are three to 3½ years in duration.  EY takes on about 270 graduates each September, across its five offices in Dublin, Limerick, Cork, Waterford and Galway.  Graduates at EY get to work in a hands-on environment in their chosen field, while also receiving coaching and career development support as they pursue their professional qualifications.  Describing the programme as a “career incubator”, Jennifer Whitehead, senior recruitment marketing associate at EY, says its graduate programme “offers graduates the opportunity to take their natural talent and develop it naturally through real-world experiences”.  Applications for the EY Graduate Programme close in mid-October.  The Central Bank of Ireland Graduate Programme offers graduates a number of rotations across several business areas, affording them the opportunity to develop professionally and broaden their skill-sets across many disciplines over the course of the three-year programme.  Graduates train on the job, and undertake training in central banking and financial regulation. Following a probationary period, graduates are given the opportunity to apply for external learning opportunities that suit their individual development needs and their role within the organisation.  “Our work is challenging, engaging and diverse. Given our wide-ranging mandate, the day-to-day work of the graduates can vary across business areas,” says David Walley, media relations at The Central Bank. “At the Central Bank, we don’t just accept difference – we seek it and we embrace it because we know that it benefits our people, our organisation and our work.”  Applications open each year in mid-September for a three-week period, with successful applicants being called for interview in November and made an offer in December.


theirishtimes--2019-12-16--Career opportunities: Highest-paying college degrees revealed

Substantial salary gaps open up between college graduates within years of leaving higher education, according to a Higher Education Authority (HEA) study.  The research, which tracked the earnings of tens of thousands of graduates who left third level between 2010 and 2017, shows medicine graduates are by far the best paid within four years of leaving college (€1,085 per week), followed by graduates of statistics (€925), chemical engineering (€853), medical diagnostic technology (€830) and ICT (€802).  By contrast, pre-school education and arts graduates are the lowest earners and take home about half these amounts.  The lowest-paid graduates are in creating arts such as fine arts & handicrafts (€425 per week), music and performing arts (€439), as well as pre-school teacher training (€469), religion, philosophy and history studies (€514), languages (€525) and psychology (€525).  Other relatively low-earning subjects include political sciences/civics and childcare/youth services.  The research breaks down earnings after completing degrees in more detail than ever before by analysing pay linked to about 70 different areas of study. The average weekly earnings for graduates across all subjects after four years is €658 per week.  It also indicates that the trajectory of a graduate’s earnings are heavily influenced by combination of factors such as Leaving Cert points, type of school attended and gender.  For example, college graduates who went to fee-paying schools earn more than graduates who attended disadvantaged schools – even where they ended up studying same third-level course.  The figures show that, overall, graduates who attended private schools earned 22 per cent more than those who attended disadvantaged or Deis schools eight years after college.  However, when these figures are adjusted to compare students on a like-for-like basis – such as studying the same type of course – the difference in earnings falls to just under 3 per cent.  The study also shows how a gender gap in earnings is opening up between men and women within a year of leaving college.  While women outperform men in the Leaving Cert and third level, they earn €14 less each week a year after leaving college, rising to €130 after eight years.  The HEA study says much of the gap is likely to be the result of higher proportions of men opting for higher-earning courses such as ICT and engineering. In addition, higher proportions of women opt for lower-earning areas such as preschool teaching.  However, even after adjusting for this and comparing men and women completing the same courses, there is still an earnings gap of about 3 per cent.  The type of higher education institution a student attended also influences graduate earnings.  For example, graduates from institutes of technology earn 14 per cent less than university graduates four years after graduation. But when comparing like-for-like individuals, this difference falls to 4 per cent.  The study also examines these trends for postgraduate students over the same time period.  It shows postgraduates with qualifications in physics have the highest average earnings four years after graduation.  Other high earning subjects for postgraduates include accounting and taxation, electronics and automation, and software/applications development.  As was the case with undergraduates, postgraduates from arts & humanities fields of study comprised the five lowest earning subjects  The research is based on matching Revenue data on earnings with individual students and graduates on an anonymised basis.  The study’s authors have cautioned that the income data covers PAYE income for employees only; self-employment income is excluded.  Earnings are defined in the report as an individual’s weekly gross earning, less tax reliefs such as pension contributions.


therussophileorg--2019-01-15--Tour of ASI projects exhibition

Tour of ASI projects exhibition

This  [post](http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/59678)  was originally published on  [this site](http://en.kremlin.ru/)  Before the meeting of the Supervisory Board of the autonomous non-profit organisation _Agency for Strategic Initiatives to Promote New Projects_ (ASI), Vladimir Putin learned about ASI “boiling points”– special places set up in 19 cities of the country to host project sessions, lectures, workshops, business games and other events related to the agency’s activities.  ASI coworking centres are designed for experience sharing and project cooperation by entrepreneurs, engineers, scientists, teachers, under- and postgraduate students, as well as representatives of the authorities, professional communities and public organisations.  The head of state was told about the selection of “boiling points” and initiatives carried out in Moscow, Vladivostok, Irkutsk and Ivanovo. The President also learned about the programmes _University-2035_ , _Databased Management_ , and  _100 City Leaders_ as well as social and volunteer projects, including those related to ecotourism.  The President also examined the stand of the ASI Leaders Club and samples of high-tech products of Russian companies included in the ASI New Business programme.  from http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/59678

Presidential Press and Information Office


therussophileorg--2019-07-05--Greetings on opening of 8th International Youth Industrial Forum Engineers of the Future 2019

This  [post](http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/60931)  was originally published on  [this site](http://en.kremlin.ru/)  The message reads, in part:  “Over the past years this project, impressive in its scope, has strengthened its authority and received vigorous support from major Russian corporations, leading technical universities and non-governmental organisations. It has helped many specialists beginning their careers to put their plans into practice.  Today the forum brought together young scientists, employees of industrial enterprises and design centres, undergraduate and postgraduate students, those who do not want to follow the beaten track and are looking for unexpected and promising scientific and engineering solutions, those who have bold ideas and ambitious goals, and who are united by a sincere wish to work for the benefit of Russia. And, of course, such consolidating efforts offer a good opportunity to launch new initiatives and endeavours.  It is important that more and more young people are choosing engineering professions and high technology. I am sure that your intellectual and creative potential, your initiative and innovative attitude will certainly be in demand for the benefit of Russia’s breakthrough development.”  from http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/60931


thedailycaller--2019-05-27--Harness Your Creative Spirit And Start A Career In Graphic Design With 60 Off This Training

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thedailycaller--2019-03-31--Land A Lucrative Job In Data Analysis With 31 Hours Of Microsoft Excel Training

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thedailycaller--2019-05-15--Learn To Code At The Price You Want In This Online Training

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