Ireland : Work experience

Work placements and internships

Try an Irish careers service first. Exploit your contacts and network; it is also useful to contact your institution’s alumni. Enterprise Ireland provides two-year overseas internships. Export Orientation Programme (IBEC) allows Irish exporting companies to provide graduates with experience of international business. FÁS Overseas Graduate Programme provides overseas placements.

Exchange programmes

AIESEC (Association Internationale des Etudiants en Sciences Economiques et Commerciales) is a student-run organisation offering placements for business and economics students.

IAESTE (The International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience) organises course-related placements for science, technology and engineering students.

The Leonardo da Vinci Programme promotes and supports work placements within the European Economic Area (EEA). The Leonardo network can assist in both identifying potential placements and in granting financial assistance in the case of less well-paid placements. More information is available from the Leargas - The Exchange Bureau .

Macra na Feirme (Sons of the Land) arranges exchange programmes with similar organisations throughout Europe for young people already in farming. Exchanges are for a minimum of three months and you receive pocket money, board and lodging. To join a programme, contact Macra na Feirme to register with the relevant organisation in your home country.

Teaching schemes

Training and Work Experience Scheme (TWES) placements are available through National Training and Employment Authority (FAS).

Volunteering

Vinspired.com offers voluntary work for 16-25 year olds and Volunteer Abroad has a comprehensive directory of volunteering and work experience opportunities in Ireland.

Casual work

Casual work is often seasonal and related to the tourist industry. You can approach employers direct or employment agencies such as Trovit, Farm Relief Service and Manpower Ireland . 

Short-term opportunities

For a range of short-term work opportunities including outdoor activity assistant and fruit picking jobs look at Transitions Abroad. Try this also for short-term nursing work since there is a shortage of nurses in Ireland. Work and Travel in Ireland has lots of links for jobs.

Gap year opportunities

Adventure Ireland offers sports programmes, cultural trips, study exchanges and customer designed courses. gradireland has an area dedicated to work experience and advice on gap years. iGapyear lists gap year projects around the world. Have a look at Gap Year for more general gap year advice.