The Careers and Employability Service run a number of programmes designed to equip students with the necessary professional skills for success. A large number of these involve engagement and partnership with University staff.
Maynooth University Careers and Employability Service
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The Summer Programme for Undergraduate Research
The call for Project Proposals for the 2025 Summer Programme for Undergraduate Research will re-open in December 2024. Student applications will open on Careers Connect in February 2025.
Are you interested in nurturing Undergraduate Research Talent?
The Summer Programme for Undergraduate Research is an experiential learning programme that provides full-time non-final year undergraduate MU students with the opportunity to pursue a six-week (full time) or twelve-week (part time) funded research placement at MU.
Successful students work closely with faculty mentors on active research projects, thereby providing an opportunity for academic staff to progress elements of their research, whilst giving undergraduate students exposure to postgraduate studies and a future career in research.
Benefits
Being a SPUR Academic mentor provides you with the opportunity to mentor the next generation of researchers and support your own research teams/projects while the Careers and Employability Service provides the following to students selected to work on a mentor's project:
- Manage the recruitment and onboarding of student candidates
- Cover the students stipend (€1500 for 6 weeks work)
- Connect students to their peers and PhD Supporters
- Support students via Orientation event and Developmental Day, where they articulate the skills gained
- Facilitate student reflection and skills gained
- Coordinate the Undergraduate Research Symposium, an opportunity for SPUR students to present their research
This allows your student to have a program and activities wrapped around them to foster their success, create an intellectual community, and strengthen their network.
Timeline
The below image is a sample timeline based on SPUR 2024. (Image coming soon.) This will be updated once dates are finalized for SPUR 2025.
To Apply
The window to submit Project Proposals for the SPUR 2025 will re-open in December 2024.
Projects are selected for funding based on the following criteria. The SPUR project proposal:
(1) Presents a quality student role and experience that;
- Offers an academically enriching and challenging environment to the SPUR student and exposure to a myriad of learning and research opportunities.
- Is experiential in nature and facilitates the application and integration of knowledge gained in the classroom in research practice and inquiry, thereby enhancing the SPUR students’ confidence and knowledge in the discipline.
- Enables the SPUR student to work collaboratively in the department, developing networks with student peers and faculty.
- Empowers the student to articulate their research effectively to others in the field and their peers.
- Grants opportunities to the SPUR student to reflect on their research experience, enhance their skill set and develop their discipline knowledge.
(2) There is a widespread distribution across Departments.
It is possible for a Department to submit more than one proposal. Please note, each proposal will automatically be forwarded to the Head of Department upon submission. If more than one submission has been received from a department, the Head of Department will be requested to indicate one as the preferred project and the other(s) as reserve project(s) (for consideration in the case of reallocation).
To note:
- Projects can be six weeks (full time) or twelve weeks (part time) in duration during the summer months, depending on the preferences of the mentor. The introduction of a part time option is because of feedback from students who, due to the rising cost of living, expressed an interest in continuing to work part-time during the experience.
- The nominated academic mentor(s) will be expected to be present for the duration of this six/twelve-week period.
- Multi-disciplinary projects are welcomed.
- SPUR academic mentors must be able to provide their SPUR student with the necessary space and resources to conduct the work for the research project. This may include but is not limited to providing the student with a suitable space/desk, access to a desktop computer or laptop if required, access to meeting room to conduct group work, interviews, focus groups etc.
Staff Information Sessions
Information sessions for staff will be held during the academic year. Keep an eye out for an email to advise when these will be taking place during the year.
Micro Internships
“The internship and its effects have vastly exceeded my expectations and I encourage any student who resonates with me to apply for similar opportunities.”
“I’ve gained a lot throughout my internship. Communication skills, report writing, project management, independent thinking, analysis and presentation skills…. But most striking to me is my newfound confidence and belief in my own resilience and capabilities.”
What is a Micro-Internship?
A Micro-internship is a paid, short-term (100 hours maximum) internship delivered in partnership between MU professional service units and students.
It offers undergraduate and postgraduate students the opportunity to contribute to defined student success projects or activities within the university, thereby enhancing their employability skills whilst collaborating with Professional Service offices and staff. The scheme gives professional staff an opportunity to increase their own professional development while mentoring that student and projects benefit from the insight gained by a current MU student.
The programme is managed and supported by the MU Careers and Employability Service and funded by the THRIVE Initiative’s Student Engagement through Partnership (StEP) Fund.
What are the benefits?
Each role is 50% funded by the THRIVE Initiative’s StEP Fund and 50% by the host office. Payments are also administered by the Careers and Employability Service, reducing the burden on your team.
Roles are advertised using the Careers and Employability Service Careers Connect portal and marketed via our social media and Student Success Ambassadors. Furthermore, all applications will be shared with each unit for their candidate selection and ranking. Advice will be provided to each unit on shortlisting and interviewing.
Units will have the support of a current MU student on a project where students can provide insight from their lived student experience. You will also be offering students an opportunity to develop their professional skills.
Why Partnership?
Students and staff working in partnership has been demonstrated to impact the university experience through:
- Fostering in students a sense of belonging while building confidence and capacity to articulate their perspectives
- Supporting staff in their professional development
- Developing creative and innovative ways to enhance the impact of the university’s supports and services
- Contributing to the evolution of an institution into a place where members of the community feel a meaningful connection
While your partner will not have your service expertise, they will be an expert in being a Maynooth student. Working with a student in partnership offers you a new lens through which to view your service, understand student dynamics, and be affirmed in your work. The student partner gains a level of empathy and understanding for university services and develops transversal skills and professional experience in the process.
Timeline
Who does it involve?
We invite Maynooth University staff from any professional service unit in the university to apply.
How do I get involved?
- Read the Scheme Guidelines Document HERE
- Applications for Micro Internships are now CLOSED.
- Applications will be reviewed by a panel and applicants will be notified week of 19th February 2024.
We will also hold two online drop-in sessions for any staff who have questions about the initiative, process, or project proposal. The links to join are below:
Learn more about the projects that have taken place by reading the student blogs here:
Maynooth University Student Experience (MUSE) Award
The Careers and Employability Service coordinates the Maynooth University Student Experience (MUSE) Award which aims to recognise and reward students' contribution to non-credit bearing opportunities.
If your Department/Office hires students, has student volunteers/workers or offers extracurricular opportunities, please submit a description of the activity here to have it added to the campus activity list. Adding your activity to this list is a fantastic way of ensuring students get the recognition they deserve and is a wonderful opportunity to promote the variety of ways students can get engaged on campus.
For your reference, below are some key facts about the award. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to reach out. Email: [email protected]
Key Facts
- Students can start the award at any stage of their MU journey - 1st Year, 2nd Year, Final Year or Postgraduate. The only stipulation is that the activities they are evidencing for the award are those which they undertook while a registered student at the University and are activities they are not already receiving credit for.
- Activities undertaken during summer periods between years (e.g., 1st Year into 2nd Year) can be counted on for the award.
- There are four levels, each with slightly different requirements.
- In May students receive an award for where they have stopped in the process.
- Students can get started on Careers Connect.
Enhance Student Employability Skills
Every student at Maynooth University has access to mySkills on Careers Connect where they can start to build their own unique portfolio of development experiences and reflections.
We can support you in embedding mySkills Development courses into your modules. Liaise with your assigned faculty Employability and Skills Coordinator to discuss embedding these digital resources into your module.
Topics include:
- Digital Proficiency
- Enterprise and Entrepreneurship
- Ethics, Diversity and Sustainability
- Adaptability/Flexibility
- Resilience
- Teamwork
- Interpersonal Skills
- Career Development
- Personal Skills
- Critical Thinking
Two 5-credit Skills for Success Electives are available to all 2nd year undergraduate students from any discipline which cover a range of careers and employability related topics.