Graduates have a myriad of choices and options when they finish their course of study – from pursuing a PhD to a master’s programme, to travel or entering the workforce.
This is according to the results of the latest ‘Graduate Outcomes Survey’ released by the Higher Education Authority in November last year. Over 71,000 graduates from the class of 2024 were surveyed.
Interestingly, just over 80% of the respondents were in employment nine months after graduation, while 10% engaged in further study.
The survey results demonstrate how strong the jobs market is for graduates today, with many not having to look too far to find a full-time role.
Looking towards agricultural courses, careers days are kicking off in ag colleges around the country. It is a good chance for students to meet industry professionals in person to discuss the various roles currently available.
Mark Cumiskey, careers and skills consultant at University College Dublin (UCD), underlines the “sheer diversity of the organisations” who attend their career fair.
“You have everything from multinational, global organisations through to small local companies. Everything from dairy, meat, to environmental, technology and technical systems.
“One of the things that has been a feature of agricultural science graduates is that they go everywhere. Yes, obviously, they go into the agri food sector, which is one of Ireland’s primary drivers in terms of the opportunities for people. But they go everywhere else as well,” he explains.
While it is hard to predict if the employment sector for ag graduates is going to stay this strong over the next six years, Mark believes it is still “a solid bet” for students.
“The agri food sector in Ireland is very strong. We have a very international outlook. When you think about it, the agri food sector in Ireland is an export-driven market, and what that means is you need to connect with people outside Ireland. Having that ability to go and spend some time overseas gives you a better understanding of what the markets are like for the future,” he explains.
When it comes to getting ready to enter the workforce, Mark advises students to always seize opportunities that come their way. This is particularly important when you’re starting your career.
“You’re at a point in your life where you can take risks. You don’t have massive obligations, and I would always give something a shot. Even if it doesn’t work out, what you’re going to learn from the process is going to be invaluable,” he advises.
“The second thing I would say to people is, do what you want to do. Yes, look at what’s out there, but also sit back and talk to people. If you’re a student and interested in a sector, go find someone who is working in that area, and reach out and buy them a coffee.”
The first careers fair this year kicked off in UCD on 11 February, where final year students met hiring managers from over 30 companies. Three employers spoke to Irish Country Living about the prospects for ag science graduates and the importance of attracting young talent into their businesses.
Nicole Groyer
equine nutritionist,
Connolly’s RED MILLS
“Within Connolly’s RED MILLS, we have a lot of different areas. We have the equine side, which would be Foran Equine, which is our supplement company and Carr & Day & Martin, our horse care products. Then there’s the agri sector, which covers sheep, cattle, poultry, goats and pigs. Within those areas, we would have roles that look at quality, technical, nutrition, support, sales, marketing, and even the manufacturing side is huge.
“The Connollys are really innovative, so we’re always coming up with new products, new ideas, trying to move with the times. When you have young people in, they have lots of ideas, and I think that’s really important. We are always looking for graduates, and we like to hold on to those people. Ideally, when they do come in on the graduate programme, we provide them with the training across different areas. It’s definitely a challenging market at the moment, but it’s a really resilient industry. There’s a lot of work going into keeping everything right, sustaining it, and promoting the whole agricultural industry and the equine industry. But I think it’s an exciting time.”
Nicole Groyer, equine nutritionist, Connolly's RED MILLS.
Lorraine Rossiter:
group HR manager, Grassland Agro
“We have opportunities for technical sales advisors; the roles would be out with farmers. You’re selling our range of products, but not just selling, you’re advising and consulting with the farmer as well. We go out to the farm, and it’s very much a journey that we go on with the farmer.
“When we take people in, we’re
looking for graduates who are really
good at building relationships, building connections with farmers and knowledge.
“But we have a full training programme that we put people through. Having a farming background and an ag degree is a huge asset.
“We’ve doubled our sales force in the last few years. The competition is out there, and it’s trying to show these graduates how we can develop them further, and how joining a company like ours can give them the skills and knowledge to be able to develop their careers further and offer them opportunities in the future.
“I would say the best thing to do is do your research and understand the role that you’re going for. The big thing when we’re interviewing people is whether they understand what the role is about. Understand the job, particularly for us with a technical sales advisor role.
“There’s a job for everybody, and we don’t all have the skills and personality to do every job. We have to know that we’re putting people into the right position for their career, so that we can make sure that they’re in the right place to develop them further.”
Lorraine Rossiter, group HR manager, Grassland Agro.
Rachel White:
marketing manager, Alltech Ireland
“I’m marketing manager for Alltech Ireland, and that covers the nutrition side of things, and also the KEENAN Diet Feeder business as well. I think the opportunities for anyone studying agriculture are massive.
“We take on graduates every year, and we have had people who went into the nutrition side of business, marketing and sales with KEENAN. New people always bring new energy and a bit more to the business. Any of our graduates who have come in over the last couple of years have been great.
“Be open to all opportunities. My ag degree from UCD has taken me to Dubai, America and different places.
“Jump in with both feet and get involved. Find good companies that have good prospects and are aligned with the things that you want to work in, ensuring the company values align with your own.”
Rachel White, marketing manager, Altech Ireland.
Graduates have a myriad of choices and options when they finish their course of study – from pursuing a PhD to a master’s programme, to travel or entering the workforce.
This is according to the results of the latest ‘Graduate Outcomes Survey’ released by the Higher Education Authority in November last year. Over 71,000 graduates from the class of 2024 were surveyed.
Interestingly, just over 80% of the respondents were in employment nine months after graduation, while 10% engaged in further study.
The survey results demonstrate how strong the jobs market is for graduates today, with many not having to look too far to find a full-time role.
Looking towards agricultural courses, careers days are kicking off in ag colleges around the country. It is a good chance for students to meet industry professionals in person to discuss the various roles currently available.
Mark Cumiskey, careers and skills consultant at University College Dublin (UCD), underlines the “sheer diversity of the organisations” who attend their career fair.
“You have everything from multinational, global organisations through to small local companies. Everything from dairy, meat, to environmental, technology and technical systems.
“One of the things that has been a feature of agricultural science graduates is that they go everywhere. Yes, obviously, they go into the agri food sector, which is one of Ireland’s primary drivers in terms of the opportunities for people. But they go everywhere else as well,” he explains.
While it is hard to predict if the employment sector for ag graduates is going to stay this strong over the next six years, Mark believes it is still “a solid bet” for students.
“The agri food sector in Ireland is very strong. We have a very international outlook. When you think about it, the agri food sector in Ireland is an export-driven market, and what that means is you need to connect with people outside Ireland. Having that ability to go and spend some time overseas gives you a better understanding of what the markets are like for the future,” he explains.
When it comes to getting ready to enter the workforce, Mark advises students to always seize opportunities that come their way. This is particularly important when you’re starting your career.
“You’re at a point in your life where you can take risks. You don’t have massive obligations, and I would always give something a shot. Even if it doesn’t work out, what you’re going to learn from the process is going to be invaluable,” he advises.
“The second thing I would say to people is, do what you want to do. Yes, look at what’s out there, but also sit back and talk to people. If you’re a student and interested in a sector, go find someone who is working in that area, and reach out and buy them a coffee.”
The first careers fair this year kicked off in UCD on 11 February, where final year students met hiring managers from over 30 companies. Three employers spoke to Irish Country Living about the prospects for ag science graduates and the importance of attracting young talent into their businesses.
Nicole Groyer
equine nutritionist,
Connolly’s RED MILLS
“Within Connolly’s RED MILLS, we have a lot of different areas. We have the equine side, which would be Foran Equine, which is our supplement company and Carr & Day & Martin, our horse care products. Then there’s the agri sector, which covers sheep, cattle, poultry, goats and pigs. Within those areas, we would have roles that look at quality, technical, nutrition, support, sales, marketing, and even the manufacturing side is huge.
“The Connollys are really innovative, so we’re always coming up with new products, new ideas, trying to move with the times. When you have young people in, they have lots of ideas, and I think that’s really important. We are always looking for graduates, and we like to hold on to those people. Ideally, when they do come in on the graduate programme, we provide them with the training across different areas. It’s definitely a challenging market at the moment, but it’s a really resilient industry. There’s a lot of work going into keeping everything right, sustaining it, and promoting the whole agricultural industry and the equine industry. But I think it’s an exciting time.”
Nicole Groyer, equine nutritionist, Connolly's RED MILLS.
Lorraine Rossiter:
group HR manager, Grassland Agro
“We have opportunities for technical sales advisors; the roles would be out with farmers. You’re selling our range of products, but not just selling, you’re advising and consulting with the farmer as well. We go out to the farm, and it’s very much a journey that we go on with the farmer.
“When we take people in, we’re
looking for graduates who are really
good at building relationships, building connections with farmers and knowledge.
“But we have a full training programme that we put people through. Having a farming background and an ag degree is a huge asset.
“We’ve doubled our sales force in the last few years. The competition is out there, and it’s trying to show these graduates how we can develop them further, and how joining a company like ours can give them the skills and knowledge to be able to develop their careers further and offer them opportunities in the future.
“I would say the best thing to do is do your research and understand the role that you’re going for. The big thing when we’re interviewing people is whether they understand what the role is about. Understand the job, particularly for us with a technical sales advisor role.
“There’s a job for everybody, and we don’t all have the skills and personality to do every job. We have to know that we’re putting people into the right position for their career, so that we can make sure that they’re in the right place to develop them further.”
Lorraine Rossiter, group HR manager, Grassland Agro.
Rachel White:
marketing manager, Alltech Ireland
“I’m marketing manager for Alltech Ireland, and that covers the nutrition side of things, and also the KEENAN Diet Feeder business as well. I think the opportunities for anyone studying agriculture are massive.
“We take on graduates every year, and we have had people who went into the nutrition side of business, marketing and sales with KEENAN. New people always bring new energy and a bit more to the business. Any of our graduates who have come in over the last couple of years have been great.
“Be open to all opportunities. My ag degree from UCD has taken me to Dubai, America and different places.
“Jump in with both feet and get involved. Find good companies that have good prospects and are aligned with the things that you want to work in, ensuring the company values align with your own.”
Rachel White, marketing manager, Altech Ireland.
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