Careers for Arts, Humanities and Social Science Graduates

For more information on these careers, see
gradireland Hospitality & Tourism, available to
download from gradireland.com/publications.
Marketing and sales
Marketing is considered by many as key to running
a long-term financially successful business. Each
year sees opportunities expanding.
The Irish Business and Employers’ Confederation
(IBEC) offers an Export Orientation Programme
which provides marketing experience in Ireland and
abroad for suitable graduates of all disciplines
interested in business (www.ibec.cie/eop).
Language ability is advantageous. Invest NI runs
a similar programme in Northern Ireland
(www.e2programme.com). Entry can be enhanced
through undertaking a postgraduate marketing or
business course.
Work in sales is plentiful with a vast range of
products and services on offer. It can entail dealing
with customers direct, through the internet and by
telephone. Many store groups operating in the
customer-led retail trade recruit graduates for
management jobs. Most of these give early
responsibility and, as with sales, the experience
gained can lead to senior posts.
In Ireland, the worlds of marketing, sales,
market research, advertising, public relations and
some brands of journalism are closely interlinked
and practitioners can move between them to
develop their careers.
Personnel
Personnel managers (now often referred to as
Human Resource Managers) advise on and
implement policies related to the effective use of
human resources in organisations. Activities can
include recruitment and selection, training,
industrial relations, salary administration and
employee records.
As well as in large organisations, openings occur
in private consultancy work and in related spheres
such as trade unions or employers’ confederations.
There are good opportunities for recent graduates
in the labour-intensive retail industry. Gaining entry
in other organisations can be enhanced through
undertaking administrative/specialised work with
the organisation, pursuing relevant training, and
seeking a move to personnel as vacancies arise.
Print, broadcasting, film and interactive media
The growth of national, regional and local networks
has led to an increased number of TV and radio
based jobs. The development of the film and video
industries has created additional opportunities,
while the expansion of magazines, publishing
houses, local and national newspapers and
specialist sections within national newspapers has
added to the existing opportunities in print media.
Within these areas, arts and humanities graduates
could be recruited for a variety of posts including
journalists, sub-editors, specialist writers, researchers
and broadcasters, along with producers of radio and
of television programmes, films and videos.
Entry remains, however, highly competitive.
Many entrants have prior work experience –
freelance or temporary – and it is worth targeting
smaller organisations in media and film production
to seek this out. Specialist skills, interests and
talent are essential, and relevant media training at
undergraduate or graduate conversion level is
advantageous. For more information on these careers,
see gradireland Journalism & Media, available to
download from gradireland.com/publications.
Publishing is a business enterprise where
success depends on the ability to find the mix
between the literary content of a publication and
the requirements of the marketplace. Graduate
opportunities occur mainly in editorial and
marketing/promotions departments. An English
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