NCI Blog

It is almost impossible to find an industry or business in our world today that has not been changed by technological advancement in recent times. Whether you are a farmer using agricultural technology to improve crop productivity, or an accountant using automation software to reduce paper usage, technology has streamlined important processes in businesses, allowing them to be more efficient, safer and profitable.

An article from the Harvard Business Review deemed Data Scientists to have the “sexiest job of the 21st century” due to the high demand from companies for individuals who could combine programming and analytics and make sense of the ever-increasing data that businesses were handling.

It's the age old question: how do you know you want to work in a new or emerging field if you don't know what to expect? Technology subjects such as cybersecurity, data analytics, blockchain and artificial intelligence are not taught at second-level so anyone choosing to dive right into a third-level course in these specialist areas, whether it's a level 8 degree or a conversion course, likely won't have existing experience in these areas.

With so many changes in the workforce in recent years, including the shift to remote and hybrid working models, many professionals are seeking more flexible working arrangements. According to the CSO, 88% of those in employment who worked remotely during the pandemic would like to continue to do so, with 6 in 10 preferring a mix of remote and office work.

An MBA or Master of Business Administration is synonymous with senior management leadership positions. At NCI, we think of an MBA as a ‘passport’ that can open up new career opportunities both in Ireland and internationally.

NCI Careers Advisor, Jennifer Kwan, shares her tips for researching career options and how these skills can boost your employability as part of our Career Tips Blog Series. One of the primary reasons that many of us attend third-level education is to equip ourselves with the knowledge and skills to acquire a better job than we would have gotten straight from school. If you’re anything like me, you listened to a select group of adults on what they thought would fit you best and you went with it. How many of you dived into researching career options before you started your degree? I certainly did not, mostly because I didn’t know how to, nor did I understand why it would be helpful.

NCI Careers Advisor, Jennifer Kwan, spoke to marketing student Gladys and Psychology graduate Leanne about their entrepreneurial experiences as part of our Career Tips Blog Series.

NCI Careers Advisor, Jennifer Kwan, spoke to recent graduate Caroline Reynolds about her experience changing careers as part of our Career Tips Blog Series. The pandemic has changed the way we work and the way we think about our jobs and our careers, but are we adapting our attitudes in the long run in the right way? Career changers have been leaders in anchoring their career decisions on learning and are finding more opportunities open to them because of it. They have recognised that their values and motivations have changed over the years and that becoming more flexible, self-reliant, and above all, better at learning, will prepare them for success.

Jennifer Kwan, Careers Advisor at NCI, shares practical tips and advice for every step of the job interview process that can be applied to both in-person and virtual interviews.

Believe it or not, many successful businesses began during economic crises by recognising a new demand and establishing a product or service which meets that need. While there isn’t a perfect time to start a new business, persevering and pivoting into in-demand industries can be the difference between the success or failure of a new business venture.