TCD Launches Trinity Alumni Career Network to Help Unemployed Graduates in Challenging Economic Times
Posted on: 09 February 2010
Trinity College Dublin launched the Trinity Alumni Career Network today (February 9th), an initiative aimed to assist its unemployed graduates during the current challenging economic climate. The Trinity Alumni Career Network, a six-week programme of panel discussions, workshops, career advice and networking opportunities for its graduates, was opened by the TCD Provost, Dr John Hegarty with guest speakers, Central Bank Governor, Professor Patrick Honohan, co-founder of Iona Technologies, Dr Chris Horn and Dr Gerard Walker Senior Policy Advisor, Forfás speaking at the inaugural event titled Ireland: Future Opportunities.
Following a survey of 15,000 TCD graduates nationwide, the six-week programme was specially designed to meet their needs as they consider career options in challenging economic circumstances. A total of 66% of respondents prioritised networking opportunities as their greatest need for career support. This was followed by the need for advice on where to look for jobs and support (60%) and specific advice from recruiters and career consultants (42%).
Professor Patrick Honohan speaking at the Trinity Alumni Career Network.
In response to these priorities the programme has been divided into six weeks of panel discussions and networking fora where experts from both Trinity and industry will share their ideas on where the opportunities lie in the current and future markets. The themes of each are Ireland: Future Opportunities’, Information & Communications Technology, Biopharmaceuticals and Medical Devices, Financial and Professional Services, Entrepreneurship and Alternative Options, including education and volunteering. Complimenting these will be practical workshops where career advice experts provide practical steps in seeking new employment, ranging from effective networking to interview success. Due to popular demand, all workshops have been fully booked.
Speaking on the occasion of the inaugural event, Provost, Dr John Hegarty said: “In these very tough times, I have been conscious that recent graduates are finding it difficult to find employment and could be quite demoralised as a result. While we rightly feel a duty of care to our current students, with initiatives such as the Trinity Alumni Career Network we are extending this as a matter of urgency to our graduates to help them deal with the challenges they now face in transitioning to the job market.”
The inaugural event which took place in the Innovation Academy in Foster Place was chaired by the Head of TCD’s School of Business, Dr Gerard McHugh. The Trinity Alumni Career Network has been organised in association with Trinity Alumni Relations, the Career Advisory Service and Trinity Research and Innovation at TCD.
Commenting on the significance of the initiative and its benefits for Trinity’s alumni, the Director of Trinity’s Career Advisory Service, Sean Gannon concluded: “This is a superb opportunity for alumni to gain an insight into potential future growth sectors in the Irish economy while at the same time getting focussed help with career planning and job search.”
For full details visit www.tcd.ie/alumni/careers