Computing in Ireland - It's Happening Here

DkIT_Computing

Job prospects for Computing students here in Ireland have never been brighter, with constant demand in the IT sector for well-educated graduates. DkIT runs a number of different computing degrees, each tailored to different areas of the market, but no matter what area you're heading for, it's good to know that jobs are out there. Take a look at this video for a positive message about computing in the Irish economy, as well as what you could be doing in a few short years!

IT’s happening here
#itshappeninghere

Atomic Pineapple

Having graduated with a 2.1 in 2009 from DKIT I can confirm that this is the reality too. It took me 6 months to find a job and not just any job but one in a specific field of development that I wanted to specialise in.

6 months might seem like a long time but I have friends who have been graduated two years and longer and who still haven't found a job in their chosen field and those that have are now abroad.

In those 6 months I had plenty of interviews and the only thing that stopped them turning into offers was my lack of real world experience, so I decided to do some of my own projects and my own website to show what I have built, eventually I was contacted through my website and after an interview offered the position.

After only 20 months experience now I have offers for interviews almost every second day and thats without me actively seeking new job offers so the industry is still very very healthy in Ireland and one that anyone going to college should really consider.

The course is DKIT is extremely well balanced and I would highly recommend it, its only major flaw being the lack of work experience during the course and I would urge DKIT Computing to raise this as a serious flaw and to work on getting future students some form of work experience during the course.

DkIT_Computing

The problem with integrating work placement into the three year degree is that there simply isn't enough time to fit it in with all of the other study to be done. However, we definitely do see the value of work placement (hence including it in the the four year computing programme) and it's always being talked about as something we'd like to work in if possible.

Atomic Pineapple

DkIT_Computing wrote: »

The problem with integrating work placement into the three year degree is that there simply isn't enough time to fit it in with all of the other study to be done. However, we definitely do see the value of work placement (hence including it in the the four year computing programme) and it's always being talked about as something we'd like to work in if possible.

Is it new for the 4 year program? It wasn't there for me

Sorry I forget to be more clear, I understand that there's not enough time during or between semesters for work experience, I know how heavy the work load is but some sort of a scheme that linked students up with software companies for summer experience would be ideal.

DkIT_Computing

I'm guessing you graduated from BSc (Hons) in Information Technologies? In the replacement degree, BSc (Hons) in Computing, the second semester of third year is given up to work placement, so you work from January onwards.

Summer experience would be the best approach for the 3 year degree alright, and that's something I definitely will bring up with the head of department. I completely agree that work experience is key for this sort of career, I come from Computer Applications in DCU and INTRA was extremely useful!

Atomic Pineapple

Ah I done the level 7 Software Development course and then the level 8 Commercial Computing add on so maybe that's why I missed out on it.