The Careers Office of the Institute of Technology has developed a unique careers education programme entitled Steps 2 Success in association with IT Tralee Management and the School of Business. This pilot programme will assist sixteen Information System Management final year students in the transition from third level to the work place. The programme will be delivered by external speakers and lecturers.

The Steps to Success programme has two main aims:

1. We want students/graduates to develop job seeking skills
Many graduates are not adequately prepared to sell themselves to potential employers when they leave third level

2.  We want participants to be prepared for the work place
Many employers have also identified weaknesses that graduates possess in the work place. Graduate job seekers need to learn to use initiative, develop networking skills and be innovative in their search for employment.

Steps to success aims to fill these skills gaps

How will the Steps to Success programme be delivered?
We will spend time with students on:

• getting motivated
• identifying skills
• helping them know what they have to sell
• how to market themselves
• the hidden jobs market and how to access it

Students will learn how to:

• network
• work in a team
• pitch themsleves to an employer
• physically present themselves to an employer

Who are the guest speakers?

• Jack O’ Connor  will deliver a session on Motivation
• Paul O’ Leary will give a session on discovering skills/personality
• Breda Heaslip, Anne Looney & Tracy Bolger will work on developing a profile and presentation
• Sinead English (careers consultant) will deliver a talk on networking and finding work in a recession
• We are working on putting a panel of employers together, so students can ‘sell themselves effectively’ to the jobs market

Employers – do you want to participate? 
If any employers are interested in working with the group, please contact Louise Nagle on 066 7191783 or email careers@list.ittralee.ie

The Steps 2 Success careers education programme was designed in conjunction with Breda O’ Dwyer, Mary Lucey and Tim Daly.