AHEAD: Association for Higher Education Access & Disability
Creating inclusive environments in education & employment for people with disabilities.

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I’ve Graduated: What Next?

Graduating from college or university is a big achievement so well done! The next chapter in your life is now about using your knowledge and skills from your degree and being able to utilise them in the workplace, but to do that, you must start the job hunt!

If you have not done so already, your college’s (and other colleges!) Careers Service website or office is a great place to start the job hunt. Companies who target the careers services in colleges are more likely to have a graduate-entry level job on offer and therefore may not be looking for a huge amount of experience. GradIreland is another great website which has a facility to upload your CV online and be kept up to date with all the latest news, services and jobs on offer.

Click the dropdowns below to find out more avenues worth exploring such as the AHEAD’s Graduate Database where you can be kept informed about jobs from the WAM Programme and workshops on getting you ready for work by GetAHEAD!

Graduate Database

AHEAD have our own graduate database where you can register your details with us. You will receive updates from both the WAM Programme in relation to WAM placements that are currently being advertised and from GetAHEAD in relation to events that are aimed at getting you ready for work e.g. interview preparation workshops, CV skills etc … To find out more about registering on the database, click here.

Career Fairs

Take advantage of the career fairs which happen throughout the year where you can find out what companies are offering jobs and to get further career advice. The biggest careers fair in Ireland which GetAHEAD participate in, is the GradIreland Fair which takes place twice a year, usually in October and June. GetAHEAD also host our own dedicated careers event for students and graduates with disabilities which takes place at the start of the summer called Building the Future.

Building the Future

Building The Future is a unique careers event aimed at students and graduates with disabilities. At this event, you will have the opportunity to polish your job seeking skills, get important tips and advice on successfully adjusting to the world of work and building a fulfilling career. The event features high profile companies who host stands and you will have the opportunity to ask questions and to speak with the employer one on one about their expectations.

In addition to that there are workshops, CV clinics where you can bring along your CV for review and the opportunity to undertake a mock interview by an employer. Details of the next Building the Future will be posted on this website and via our social media sites and if you have registered with us, you will also receive email updates.

Visit Building The Future page now. 

WAM Programme

Another project of AHEAD is the WAM Programme which offers a minimum 6 month, paid and mentored work placement in a company only for graduates with disabilities. Placements are typically mainstream graduate entry level positions with high profile companies. It is a competitive process however, WAM gives additional levels of support for graduates by offering a needs assessment and delivering training. To find out more about the WAM Programme visit the section on this website by clicking here.

Graduate Programmes

Some large companies offer their own graduate training programme which can last for a period of between 1-4 years. The purpose of these programmes is to give graduates an opportunity to gain work experience and some companies give graduates a chance to work in various areas of the company before they choose a career path. Graduate recruitment deadlines are usually from September - January for the following year. So if you are thinking about applying to a graduate programme, get researching and working on your application as soon as possible as the competition for these graduate programmes is extremely high.

© AHEAD
Creating Inclusive Environments in Education and Employment for People with Disabilities

East Hall, UCD, Carysfort Avenue, Blackrock, Co Dublin.
T +353 1 592 1467 E ahead@ahead.ie W www.ahead.ie RCN 20025182