Work While You Study

Many students work part-time to support themselves through university, often viewing it as a financial necessity rather than a learning opportunity. However, recognizing the value of the skills you're developing can turn casual work into a career advantage.

All work provides experience, whether bar work, volunteering, or Saturday jobs. These roles offer ‘business awareness’ and insight into how organizations function. Being able to articulate this understanding will benefit your future career. Remember, you'll need referees when job hunting, and employers value evidence of good workplace integration.

Work shadowing

Work shadowing is an informal, short-term (usually a few days), unpaid opportunity where you observe someone in their role to gain insight into their job. It is beneficial in careers with few formal internships, like solicitors or ophthalmologists, and is typically arranged through speculative applications. Start with a small request (e.g., one day) and potentially extend it.

Suggestions for ways to find opportunities

Use your networks: friends, family and social networks.
Talk to employers at campur fairs and events.
Network on social media, especially LinkedIn.

Vacation Work

Use summer holidays to gain paid work experience. Major seasonal employers like department stores, supermarkets, and hotels are also big graduate recruiters. Any vacation work can provide valuable employability skills.

UCC Career Services Seirbhísí Gairme COC

Work While You Study