Steps-2-Success Networking Event

 Industry professional mentors and students were formally introduced in the HCT restaurant of the Institute of Technology Tralee last Wednesday evening the 23^rd of November. The networking event was organised as part of the “Steps-2-Success” programme which aims to assist final year students in the transition from third level education to the work place. As part of the initiative students are given industry professional mentors to access their CVs and give them guidance in sourcing work in their chosen professions.

Participant Linda Lawlor explained that the programme ‘has given me access to potential employers and advice from people working in the digital marketing area'. Students were introduced to their mentors on Wednesday and will work together in preparation for job seeking over the next few months. As well as working with a mentor and developing an on-line profile, students will also be pitching themselves to a panel of potential employers in mid-February 2012.  

Lecturer Martha Farrell organised the event and explained how ‘this award winning initiative is not only a career education programme but also develops individuals’ interpersonal skills and confidence. Professionals from the multi-media, TV production, web-development and design fields were predominantly invited to the networking event as the participating students identified these as the areas they hope to work in’

Careers Officer and programme co-ordinator Louise Nagle identified that ‘Up to 80% of job vacancies are not advertised and realistically it is through networking with potential employers that the majority of job seekers will secure work. This networking event gives students the opportunity to make contact with and an impression on potential employers’.  

The “Steps-2-Success” programme identifies ten steps participants should follow in their search for employment which included:

Step 1: Get motivated!

Step 2:   Identify your skills and what you have to offer

Step 3: Develop your profile and learn how to market it

Step 4: Identify the hidden jobs market

Step 5: Become familiar with technologies in the workplace

 Step 6: Develop teambuilding skills

Step 7: Actively network with employers

Step 8: Physically prepare yourself for the work place

Step 9:   Group interviews

Step 10: Pitch to employers.

The principles identified in the ten “Steps-2-Success’ programme will be delivered via seminars by motivational external speakers such as Sinead English, Careers Consultant; Paul O’ Leary, Entrepreneur and Irish Associate PI Europe and local company ‘Perform’ as well as input from a team of experts at the Institute. The programme also introduces participants to mentors from industry, providing guidance on job seeking skills.

BACK ROW L-R: Jason O'Mahony (Cork Screen Commission), Stephanie Lynch, Lorna Dollery, Edel Walsh, Donna Watters, Oskars Krastins, David Corkey, Aidan Carroll, Niamh O'Mahony, Bridgetta O'Brien, Jim Quinn, Aidan Murray (360 Solutions), Ron Vandernol (FAS).

MIDDLE ROW L-R: Mary Lucey (Head of Creative Media and Information Technology Department, I T Tralee), Martha Farrell (Steps to Success Coordinator, I T Tralee), Elaine O'Connell, Deborah Hare, Oluwakemi Falade, Linda Lawlor, Stephen Molloy, Angela Stack, Phill Thomas, Emma Higginson (Soma Multimedia Production), Lozanne McCarthy (Listowel Community College), Kay Fitzgerald (Head of School of Business and Humanities, I T Tralee), Jim Twomey (FAS).

FRONT ROW L-R: Louise Nagle (Careers Officer and Steps to Success Coordinator, I T Tralee), Mairead O'Mahony, John Buggy (Musician), Seamus O'Donovan (Fluirse Education Solutions), Clive Roylance (Radio Broadcaster), Rebekah Wall (Art Teacher), Evan Mangan (The Marketing Crowd), John Ogie Sheehy (YouComply), Tom Johnson (Stop Watch), Dr Michael Hall (Registrar, I T Tralee).