Home Page

Work Experience Programme

An integral part of each course offered in Monaghan Institute is the work experience programme. This mandatory programme provides students with practical experience in their industry field along with CV preparation. A key element involves students partaking in a work placement in an area relevant to their course. This can be a one-day per week placement over the academic year, or a three-week block placement.

Monaghan Institute has developed invaluable links with local businesses. Year on year employers will contact the college seeking students for work placement, which they view as an excellent way of sourcing future employees.

'The value of our work placement programme cannot be under-estimated. Employers see this opportunity as a three-week interview. Many of our students will secure a permanent job directly as a result of their work placement. In the current economic climate this opportunity is invaluable'
Melanie Keith, Tourism Course Co-ordinator

Monaghan Institute is aware of how crucial a successful interview is in securing a job. To ensure that students get the best training and preparation possible Monaghan Institute invites local business people into the college to advise students on interview techniques and to also hold mock interviews.

'Our students are fully prepared for working life and many graduate having already secured a permanent job. A fact that we are very proud of.'
Shelagh Niland, Office Administration Course Co-ordinator

MIFET staff are highly-qualified, enthusiastic and dedicated to high academic achievement in the context of a warm tutor-student relationship. Work experience keeps both students and staff attuned to the realities of modern business/ industry/commerce. Our computer centres and multi-media laboratory are of the most advanced design and equipment. The Student Union’s social programme ensures balanced student development.

Ann Fitzpatrick- Beauty Therapy
I was delighted to be accepted into the Beauty Therapy Course in Monaghan Institute last August. It wasn't until I started that I realised how much work, effort and commitment would be needed to see this course through. As a mature student my school days were long gone so I knew I had to kick start my brain again if I was to succeed. As part of our course we had to complete a three-week work placement in a salon. I was lucky enough to get into Additions Beauty Salon in Castleblaney. I got to experience what it is like in a busy salon and which treatments were most popular. I learned a lot from Celina while I was there.

Resulting from my work placement I have secured a job in Additions Salon starting in June and I look forward to working there now that my course has finished. Now at the end of the college year with so much dedication and help from the tutors I would like to thank each and every one of them for giving me an opportunity to pursue a career in Beauty Therapy.

Sheena McCormill - Travel & Tourism
I have just completed a Travel and Tourism Course in Monaghan Institute. I thoroughly enjoyed the course and all of the modules. I found the course really interesting and I loved attending class each day as you always learned something new and fascinating. I really enjoyed my work placement and found that it is a practical way of gaining an insight into the tourism industry. As a result of completing this course, I was offered a full time position as a hotel receptionist in Errigal Country House Hotel in Cootehill.

I have just completed my final exams and have started my new job. I am now happily settled and enjoy every aspect of it, especially dealing with the guests. The modules which I completed during my course have been extremely helpful to me. I can now apply all that I have learned into my daily tasks.

Donna Mulligan - Office Administration
After going from one temporary job to another I decided I needed something a little more ermanent. It was hard to find work especially with no qualifications. I decided to apply to Monaghan Institute and choose the Office Administration Course with Medical Studies as an optional module as I hoped to find employment in this line of work. I have really enjoyed my time at Monaghan Institute. I made many new friends and found the tutors extremely helpful and supportive. This course helped boost my confidence and improve the skills I already held. In January I completed my work placement in the laboratory in Monaghan General Hospital.

I really enjoyed my work placement and gained an insight into this area. A number of weeks ago, before my final exams, I was called for an interview and was offered a full time job in the laboratory. I recommend anyone thinking of starting a course in Monaghan Institute this September to keep in mind how important it is to complete your work placement to the best of your ability because you never know it may result in a full time job.

Donna Treanor & Sinead McVicar - CACHE Diploma in Childcare & Education
We have both studied the CACHE Diploma in Childcare & Education and the FETAC Level 5 in Childcare in Monaghan Institute. We found this course very interesting and worthwhile. Our tutors are all very helpful and we found that the course work benefited our learning.

As a result of our work placement we have both successfully gained a full time job in Clevercloggs Private Day Care setting in Annyalla and Drumbear Wood, Monaghan, where we can put all of our learning into practice.