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Maynooth University Careers and Employability Service
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Career Mentoring
“My experience with my mentor has been incredibly enriching, providing me with invaluable insights and learnings that have profoundly shaped my academic and professional journey.” - 2024 Student Mentee
The MU Career Mentoring Programme pairs current students with alumni mentors who provide valuable career insights and support. This programme aims to empower students with future-focused skills and enhance their career readiness, aligning with Maynooth University’s commitment to producing “creative, inquisitive and critically engaged graduates” prepared for professional success (MU Strategic Plan 2023-2028 – Students and Learning).
Why Should You Apply?
- The Career Mentoring Programme is a great way to gain insights into the graduate labour market and the realities of working in different roles and industries.
- Matching will an Alumni Mentor who has been in your shoes at university is a great way to expand your professional network and build your confidence in new settings.
- This opportunity will help develop new skills needed in the professional world such as communication, time management and emotional intelligence. It will also give you time to reflect on and expand your transferable skills.
- You can use this opportunity towards the MUSE Award application
Timeline and Commitment
How to Apply
To be eligible to apply, applicants must be:
- Registered students at Maynooth University for the entire duration of the programme.
- A penultimate or final year student from any discipline. A small number of places (max 10) are allocated to postgraduate students in the School of Law and Business and School of Law and Criminology.
- Engaged and committed for the entire duration of the programme.
- Please note, 30% of places on the programme are reserved for students who avail of supports from the Access Office.
Applications for the 2024 Programme have now closed. Students will be contacted with an update on their application in due course.
Micro Internships
“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?
- Micro Internships give students the opportunity to contribute to defined student success projects or activities within the University, enabling you to enhance your employability skills whilst collaborating with Professional Services offices and staff.
- Micro Internships are paid, part-time in semester/full-time out of semester roles that see you work closely with a mentor in a professional service within Maynooth University. Over the past number of years we have had a range of exciting micro-internships with Fees and Grants, Green Campus, Clubs and Socs, Careers and Employability Service, just to name a few. Micro Internships are not repeated annually and each year we aim to add new and exciting opportunities for students.
- Maynooth University students of any level (undergraduate or postgraduate), discipline or year group are eligible to apply. Students who have finished their studies are regrettably ineligible to apply. Jobs are posted on our social media and on our online portal MU Careers Connect.
To read more about what previous students said about their Micro Internship, check out their blogs here.
Payment
Successful students will be employed as an occasional hourly-paid member of staff (Occasional Staff Member). Students will be paid the Administration Standard Rate. You can view up to date payment information on the Bursar’s website. (https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/bursar)
This summer’s programme is funded by the THRIVE Initiative’s Student Engagement through Partnership (StEP) Fund.
Key Benefits
- Gain valuable experience in your field of interest
- Expand your professional network
- Develop professional skills and knowledge
- Contribute to beneficial student success projects and activities
- Paid professional work experience
- Bring the Maynooth student voice to enhance projects
When do applications open?
Micro Internships take place three times throughout the year, in semester one, semester two and over the summer months.
Requirements
Each role will have its own requirements. Students will apply using their CV and application on Careers Connect and may be required to interview for the role. For support with your application, you can book an appointment with a Careers Advisor using Careers Connect or access our resources and supports on our website.
Need More Information
For students who have questions about upcoming Micro Internships, please join one of our online information sessions. Book via CareersConnect "Events".
Information for staff
If you are a Maynooth University staff member interested in hosting a Micro Intern, please find the information you need here.
For more information on Micro Internships, please email: [email protected]
Maynooth University Student Experience (MUSE) Awards - Now Open!
What are the MUSE Awards?
As a Maynooth University student, you're constantly developing skills from all aspects of your life. Now, your efforts outside the classroom can be recognized and rewarded through the Maynooth University Student Experience (MUSE) Awards!
The MUSE Award is a great addition to your CV, and it can help you articulate the valuable skills you've gained as you become more self-aware and prepared for your professional journey.
What is required to complete the MUSE Award?
There are four levels of the MUSE Awards; Bronze, Silver, Gold & Platinum. You complete them in that order and the extracurricular activities you put towards each level must be completed while you are a registered MU student (activities you’ve done in the summer period count also!).
What are the benefits to completing a MUSE Award?
- Helps you to stand out from your peers
- Gain recognition on your transcript (Gold and Platinum levels only)
- Gives you the confidence to articulate the skills you gained from your experiences
- Greater career readiness as you prepare for your future
- Better self-awareness as you reflect on your achievements
When do applications open?
MUSE applications are now open for 2024/2025.
How do I get started?
4 easy steps to get started and get the recognition you deserve:
- Log in to Careers Connect (Sign in using your MU student number and password.)
- Navigate to Pathways. Start the Award and undertake the relevant activities associated with each level.
- Record and reflect on your experiences, and the skills gained
- Submit for assessment before the deadline
Already completed a level of the MUSE Award last year? Jump straight to the next level of the award!
Requirements
Students from any level (undergraduate or postgraduate) and any year group are eligible for the MUSE Award. The only requirement is the activities that you are attributing towards the MUSE Awards are activities which you undertook during your time registered as a MU student.
Information Sessions
Keep an eye on CareersConnect "Events" section and come along to the next MUSE information session.
On-Campus Activities Eligible for the MUSE Award
Find out more about all these activities HERE
| Activity Title | Brief Activity Descriptor |
|---|---|
| MU Student Ambassador Programme |
The Student Ambassador Programme provides current students with the opportunity to represent Maynooth University to prospective students at a variety of events and via promotional activity organised by The Admissions Office. Student Ambassadors positively promote Maynooth University and provide information about their course, subjects, campus facilities and life at Maynooth University to prospective applicants, parents and guardians. The type of work done by Student Ambassadors can include the following: Represent the University at events such as Open Days, Higher Options, exhibitions and providing support to Admissions Office staff in the run up to such events. /Guiding campus tours/Online Q&A sessions/Working on social media projects & promotion/Blog posts/Working on the MU Ask a Student platform. |
| Clubs and Societies Committees |
Clubs and Societies are communities of interest and activities who aim to create, encourage and promote a sense of belonging among our students. Our C & S Committees manage all aspects of running a club/soc. – Funding, Event Management, Communication, Competitions, Trips, Health & Safety. |
| Development and Alumni Relations Office Event Support |
There are two main areas that students can work with the Development and Alumni Office on; 1: On-the-day event support: Student work as part of a support team assisting with preparing an event space, helping at check in desk, post-event activity etc. 2. Several on campus alumni events that student can partake in throughout the academic year (e.g. Science Week alumni event (Nov), Carol Service (Dec), Alumni Reunion (May), conferrings and other ad hoc events. |
| School of Law and Criminology Open Days | Students answer questions about Law and Criminology programmes at the Open Days in November, April and June. |
| School of Law and Criminology - Mooting and negotiation competitions | Many of our students organise high profile moots and negotiation competitions. These are organised under the auspices of the student societies (Law Soc, ELSA, FLAC). These are not official School of Law and Crim activities but the School supports and often sponsors these events. |
| Student Skills and Success |
Students work in partnership with staff on guiding the work of the THRIVE Student Success Initiative |
| School of Modern Languages Student Ambassador | Students have spoken to TY students who spend half a day on campus, have spoken to first year students about how the programme progresses and the year abroad and have organised activities such as coffee mornings. |
| School of Law and Criminology Lyon Induction | 4th year LLB (Etudes Juridiques) students design and deliver a talk for new 3rd year BCL (Etudes Juridiques) students from Lyon arriving in Maynooth. Also provide a campus tour to the students and engage more generally with them. |
| CoderDojo Maynooth |
Help young kids learning programming. |
| Computer Science Summer Camp |
Deliver a session they develop as well as support students (13-17) the rest of the week. |
| Computer Science Centre Volunteer Tutor | The centre is aimed at all students regardless of their ability and will help students understand aspects of the modules that they are having difficulty with. |
| CT Ambassador | The PACT team at Maynooth University Department of Computer Science develops resources and supports to allow teachers to teach topics in computer science at both primary and secondary school. We specialise in computational thinking resources and supports. Our CT Ambassadors are Froebel, education, and computer science students who have attended our CT training workshops, co-created CT activities for primary and secondary schools, run CT school visits and other CT activities with our PACT team. |
| Story Exchange Mountjoy at Wheatfield | Students commit to three training sessions and 6 afternoons over 6 consecutive weeks in either Wheatfield or Mountjoy prisons participating in the Story Exchange Programme developing empathy through storytelling with prison participants. |
| Part Time Officer on the MSU Executive | The Part-Time Officers of the Union, work on a voluntary basis with the Full-Time officers of the Union. They support and aid the Full-Time Officers in executing various campaigns and initiatives alongside their studies. They sit on a variety of University Committees ensuring the student voice is heard. |
| MSU Operations Team | MSU have multiple opportunities for students to earn as they learn. These include the following; Creative Operations: Producing video content, digital designs & posters for the Unions campaigns and events. Events and Facilities: Work with sound and lighting, event preparations and planning, and facility management. Info Centre: Front facing role, aiding students with any queries, printing, binding, and leap card services. MSU Londis: Deliver exceptional customer service, stocking, till experience. |
| Student Senator | The MSU Student Senate is the Governing Body of the Union. Students who sit on the Senate represent a variation of interest groups. They have reserved competence in areas which include; Amending the Constitution, advise on the Strategic Plan, issue Union Policy and hold the Executive accountable. |
| Academic and Department Reps | Academic Reps: Gather feedback from classmates. Liaise with teaching staff on behalf of classmates. Represent the best interests of their classmates in MSU. Keep classmates informed about ongoing deliberations in their departments. Attend committees and assemblies of which they are a member of.
Department Reps: Gather feedback from all reps in their department. Liaise with department head on behalf of academic reps. Support academic reps with solving issues. Identify common issues arising across the department and work towards resolutions. Keep academic reps informed about ongoing deliberations in the department. Attend committees and assemblies of which they are a member of. |
| Student Reviewers | Student Reviewers play a crucial role in ensuring that the student voice is captured within the internal quality review process at Maynooth University. Student Reviewers form part of a group of experts (Peer Review Groups) who visit & review each academic department and administrative unit of the university. All of the activities and procedures of the department or unit are evaluated during the review. Student Reviewers provide a particular focus on the impact that these activities and procedures have on students and identify ways to improve them. |
| Academic Excellence Sessions | The Academic Excellence Sessions are group writing support sessions, each focusing on a particular topic, such as 'approaching your first essay', 'writing a literature review', 'working with feedback', 'reflective writing', 'preparing for exams', and 'planning your thesis/dissertation'. They run twice a week for the duration of the semester. |
The Summer Programme for Undergraduate Research (SPUR)
What is the Summer Programme for Undergraduate Research?
The Summer Programme for Undergraduate Research (SPUR) is an active research-based and paid experiential learning programme for undergraduate students who wish to learn more about the postgraduate experience and possibly pursue a career in research.
It gives students the opportunity to work closely with faculty mentors on research projects across a range of disciplines, offering an academically enriching environment and exposure to a myriad of learning and research opportunities, thereby enhancing students’ confidence and discipline knowledge.
Payment
Students are paid a tax-free stipend of €1500
Key Benefits
- Helps you to stand out from your peers
- Gain experience and recognition on your results transcript
- Develop a new network and insight into Postgraduate study
- Enhance your personal and professional development
When do applications open?
Applications open early February each year, and close mid-March. Full-time Maynooth University non-final year undergraduate students are welcome to apply.
Eligibility/Terms and Conditions
- An applicant must be a full time undergraduate Maynooth University student.
- A student completing their final year of study in 2024/2025 is not eligible to apply.
- Past SPUR participants are ineligible to apply.
- The scheme does not provide funding for students to work on their existing projects.
- The scheme does not provide funding for administrative help to a department.
- A student cannot be in receipt of any other funding during the period of the SPUR.
- The applicant may apply to more than one department, and a department other than where they are studying at undergraduate level. 7. A student may only receive one SPUR Scholarship per summer.
- A student is expected to work full time throughout the duration of their project, unless the project states otherwise and is a dedicated part-time project.
- A student is expected to engage in all elements of the programme and produce the associated outputs required including the project/research work, a completed online workbook and research symposium deliverables.
- A student is expected to participate in all events associated with the programme and outlined in the SPUR timeline located on the Careers and Employability Service website.
- Applicants require a PPS number to secure funding.
SPUR timeline image. The below image is a sample timeline based on SPUR 2024. This will be updated once dates are finalized for SPUR 2025.
What to find out more?
There are a number of online and in-person information sessions for students interested in applying to the Summer Programme for Undergraduate Research (SPUR). Keep an eye on CareersConnect "Events" section for updates on when these will be on.
Find out more information here.
Applications for SPUR 2024 are now closed, but will re-open in early 2025. View the 2024 SPUR Student Cohort here!