WIT Careers Newsletter April

Contents - Page

2 Professions - Entertainment and Performing Arts 3 Volunteering 4 Dates for your April 2012 Diary

Newsletter - Issue No 7 as at 23 April 2012 Dear Students, Thinking of working abroad?

If you are thinking of looking for work abroad, your first port of call is www.goinglobal.com.

As well as searching for vacancies, you can find out about the jobs culture in the country, the latest industry trends and information on visas etc. Often different countries have their own preferences in terms of CV formats and recruitment practices so you may need to adjust your job preparation accordingly; you can find country-specific guides at www.Goinglobal.com. Other useful information and job links can be found at: www.gradireland.com/careers-advice/international-opportunities; www.workingabroad.net and www.eurograduate.com.

Working abroad is a good option if you wish to develop your fluency in another language. Consider temping initially to provide you with an income and access to the right networks. Familiarise yourself with the national education system so you can accurately align your qualifications with local equivalents.

Lastly, remember that all the usual tips apply when looking for work abroad.

Spend time identifying what types of roles you'd like; tailor your CV and cover letter for each role you apply for; work on your interview skills. There are guides and videos on the WIT Careers Website and Careers Information Library. Good luck!

Best Wishes, Angela and the Careers Centre Team

Postgraduate funding - is there any still out there?

These are uncertain financial times for postgraduate students in Ireland. Postgraduate education is slipping out of reach for many, thanks to slashing of fourth-level state support. But don’t you give up on the idea. Higher education institutions themselves, industry sponsors, charitable organisations and private donors are just some of the options still available.

Help us to name our new Careers Mascot.

Here is a snapshot of what's out there Entry forms available at Trinity College Dublin postgraduate awards and the Careers Centre and Prizes the Careers Stand in College Street.

NUI Galway postgraduate scholarships The Telecommunications Graduate Initiative (TGI) University of Ulster scholarships and awards UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School scholarships

For more news about our mascot see www.facebook.com/ pages/WIT-Careers-Centre/164371466911273?ref=ts

Queen's University Belfast studentships

Don’t forget the Careers Centre is now on MOODLE - https://vle.wit.ie/ - check us out!

Professions - Entertainment and Performing Arts This sector comprises of all aspects of live entertainment and performance - including Dancers, Actors, Comedians, Composers, Writers, Musicians, Singers, Directors and so on.

Dedication, discipline, creativity, self-confidence and a real belief in your talent are attributes necessary for performance based careers. The allure and dazzling attraction that a successful career as a performing artist presents is a dream career for many young people. It is only fair that we issue this health warning at the outset. For every famous and successful singer, dancer actor or musician we see there are many more singers, dancers, actors and musicians behind the scenes struggling to find work and make a decent living; waiting for that 'big break' that may never come.

If you have a talent that you want to pursue, the satisfaction of displaying it may far outweigh the security of a 'regular job.' Ireland has an excellent success rate in producing world-class performers. This success encourages and promotes high expectations for many in the profession.

The sector can be divided into onstage and offstage careers.

Onstage careers Onstage careers are the one’s that grab the media attention - the international rock stars, the Hollywood actors and the American or Australian sitcom successes. Becoming one of these singers, actors or musicians takes a lot of hard graft along with outstanding talent and a certain amount of luck. For every successful band such as ‘Snowpatrol’ there are a hundred other bands that may look and sound as good as them but never make the big-time.

Offstage careers Behind every film, song or theatre production is a multitude of support personnel and services. This team of professionals is driven by the same love of the industry. Offstage careers are far more numerous; directors, producers, sound technicians, lighting technicians, video technicians, set designers, builders and agents are all critical to this sector. These personnel mirror the fortunes of the singers, actors and musicians they support - with a frenzy of work prior to and during a show or production, followed by periods of inactivity and possibly no work and no pay.

Getting into the sector The entertainment sector is a growth industry in Ireland and the number of courses supporting and training those committed to this work is expanding. Artists require a lot more than talent to 'make it'. Taking part-time work to make ends meet is commonplace but even the most modestly successful performer will say that the sheer thrill and adrenalin rush from performing beats any nine to five job.

Music Those who choose to study Music find employment in the following professionally related areas: teaching (at all levels), orchestral musician, music journalism, choral director, church organist/director of music, radio production and presentation, music industry, multimedia, music publicity and recording, arts administration, music librarian and information services.

Drama In the last fifteen years or so Ireland has achieved major honours in the field of drama. There are more professional theatre companies and dramatists in this country than ever before. Drama and theatre are becoming important elements in our educational system while broadcasting, film and television are offering new opportunities to Irish graduates.

Performing Arts Perhaps because of the instant and easy availability of video and audio files from the internet the performing arts in Ireland and around the world have once again been revitalized. The demand for live performance as opposed to recorded material is offering opportunities for talented performers in the art of dance, music and theatre.

The international success of River Dance is a good example of the massive opportunities on a world stage for Irish performers. As well as singers, dancers and musicians this area of employment growth has created a diverse range of specialist and managerial roles such as theatre manager, assistant stage manager, casting, production, box office, PR and marketing.

Typically people in this sector would have a degree in the humanities, such as English, Music and or training in drama, dance, theatre studies or arts management. Entry into the performing arts is highly competitive. Work, although extremely rewarding, is often sporadic and part-time.

For more information check out http://www.careersportal.ie/sectors/sectors.php?s_keyword=12&job_id=588&sector_id=12

Volunteering

The full ppt is available on the Careers Centre Moodle site, under the Careers Centre Presentations/ Workshops Handouts Section.

Events / Dates for Your Diary / Career Centre Locations DATES FOR YOUR DIARY—April 2012 Quick Query

23 April between 2 and 4 p.m.

Careers Centre Cork Rd.

All Students

Vodafone

23 April between 12 and 2

Auditorium Cork Rd.

All Students

Schivo Group Presentation

24 April at 2:15p.m.

Auditorium Cork Rd.

Engineering

Closing date - 31 May 2012, www.marketingnetwork.ie

Full details at guardian.co.uk/journalismcompetition CAREERS CENTRE LOCATIONS

WHERE TO FIND US Careers Office

Careers Information Library to the TOP FLOOR Luke Wadding Library Cork Road Campus

Now even better resources Extensive “reference section” Free Sector Booklets, Monthly publications, Careers Handouts, Computers with careers search programmes installed for your use.

Where we are - Front Entrance, Immediate left, Main Building, Cork Road Campus How to contact us Telephone Fax Email Website

051 302038 051 306279 careers@wit.ie www.wit.ie/careerscentre

http://www.facebook.com/pages/WIT-CareersCentre/164371466911273?ref=ts REMEMBER to register with the Careers Centre to receive quick, up to date information.

http://www.wit.ie/CareersCentre/ RegisterwiththeCareersOffice/