MTU Careers Day helps ag science students get foot on job ladder
Fourth year agricultural science students at Munster Technological University (MTU) Kerry recently showcased their talents to prospective employers
25 students took part in mock interviews with a range of industry representatives during the annual MTU careers day.
The event was held in the university's new science, technology, engineering and maths building, An Cuan.
The state-of-the-art building can accommodate around 1,000 students and includes lecture theatres, classrooms, machinery workshops, halls and laboratories.
This year, the careers day was expanded to include students in the MTU pharmaceutical science and veterinary bioscience degree courses.
MTU
Dr. Brendan O'Connell, dean of the new faculty of Science and Informatics at MTU, said the opening of the new building in September, has "energised" the campus.
"It has really been transformational in terms of the knowledge and the additional skillsets which the students can work with," he said.
O'Connell said engagement with industry is "hugely important" for the technological university sector.
"Industry opens their doors to us in terms of site visits, placement opportunities, research opportunities and scholarship programmes," he said.
"I think the interactions between the students and the industry leaders really equips our students for future recruitment processes and builds their confidence," O'Connell added.
Interviews
Dr. Bridget Breen, lecturer in biosciences at MTU, said the agricultural science students gain a lot of exposure to the industry during the four year honours degree programme.
"They are ready for work when they go out on placement even, they have the hands-on experience.
"They will have great experience from today, some of them are doing two interviews.
"It's a great opportunity for them, they will get feedback as well today on how they performed in those interviews. They are mock interviews, but some of them lead onto real interviews and actual jobs.
"We've got employers here today looking to hire. They are looking for our graduates, they're constantly reaching out and they continue to reach out even over the summer and we put them in touch with all of our graduates," she said.
Around 80% of the industry representatives on the mock interview panels were MTU graduates.
Among those was Lenora Kelly who joined the rural development company IRD Duhallow as a development officer after completing her agricultural science degree.
"I found the course great. Probably my favourite time was when we were below in [Teagasc] Clonakilty. It was more hands-on experience," she said.
As part of her current role, Lenora is focused on working groups covering farming and the environment and agricultural women.
She is also undertaking a postgraduate in sustainable and innovative agriculture at MTU.
"I could never not see myself living in rural Ireland or doing something with farming, even at home we're all very involved in the farm," she said.
Students
Among the fourth year agricultural science students at the MTU Careers Day was Elizabeth O'Connor who hails from a beef and sheep farm close to Tralee, Co. Kerry.
Elizabeth has had a love of farming since she was young.
"I'm an only child on my family farm at home, I get great encouragement from my father. It's great to see the industry changing and developing," she said.
O'Connor, who is also the class representative, said the students were looking forward to getting an insight into what the industry needs through the mock interviews.
"I'm hoping to work in the agricultural industry, but I do think future studies would be a great benefit. Something in animal science, I like livestock production. I will definitely farm a small bit too," she added.
Another student, Micheál Cronin grew up on a suckler farm in Kiskeam, Co. Cork.
"I've a big interest in farming. I wanted to get the degree, as well as get my Green Cert out of it while I'm here," he said.
During his work placement, Cronin travelled to New Zealand where he worked on a 800-cow dairy farm.
The student said the MTU course will provide a strong foundation for his future plans to pursue a qualification in agricultural science and biology teaching.
Feedback
Eoin McCarthy, lecturer in agricultural science at MTU Kerry, said there was "very positive feedback" from both industry and students following the mock interviews.
He said the annual event helps the industry to identify potential employees.
"Last year, there were five people who got jobs directly from the mock interviews, so it really stands to them," he said.
During the event, industry representatives were also asked to complete a survey. The feedback will help to inform a future review of the agricultural science degree programme.
"It's a very broad industry so we're trying to give a very rounded student that can fit into the advisory section, into sales jobs, into research.
"That's what we're trying to target to meet all the requirements of these industries," McCarthy said.
Based on CAO figures, MTU Kerry is planning to take in around 32 new agricultural science students in September.
