Hundreds of graduates and student attend conference marking GMIT's 40th

Hundreds of GMIT students, second level pupils, careers teachers and GMIT graduates are to take part in a special GMIT Graduate Conference on Thursday next, 18 April (9am to 5pm), in Theatre 1000 in the Galway campus, as part of GMIT’s 40th anniversary celebrations.

Organised jointly by the GMIT Careers Office and the GMIT Schools Liaison Office, a panel of graduates and special industry guests will share their career and life experiences, with the focus on leadership, innovation and entrepreneurship. The aim is to inspire students to do well when they graduate from third-level education, and also help assist secondary school leavers make the right CAO choices.

The day-long conference will be streamed online to all GMIT campuses in Galway and Mayo as well as secondary schools in GMIT’s catchment area. The talks will be available for future viewing on the GMIT Channel on YouTube www.youtube.com/gmitchannel

An interesting line up of speakers includes graduates working in companies and organisations such as SAP, HP, Cisco, the Marine Institute, HSE, Open Jaw, PEL, Cameron, Google, Four Seasons Hotel, Gifted Live and others. One graduate will outline his experience in setting up his own business while another recent graduate will share his experience of working in Britain’s Buckingham Palace.

Two keynote guest speakers are Galway man Jim Breen, Irish Entrepreneur and star of the RTE Secret Millionaire programme and founder of Cycle Against Suicide charity, and Nicola Byrne, founder and CEO of 11890.

“This event is about celebrating leadership, innovation and entrepreneurship in the current economic climate,” says Dr Carina Ginty, GMIT Schools Liaison Officer and one of the organisers of the event. “Graduates and special industry guests from a range of disciplines will talk about learning and career experiences to date and top tips for getting on in industry.”

“The exciting line up of presenters includes entrepreneurs, engineers, scientists, business and accountancy professionals, software developers, a leading artist, a 5-star hotel manager, a filmmaker and a furniture specialist working in Britain’s Buckingham Palace.” adds Dr Ginty.

Bridie Killoran, GMIT Careers Officer and co-organiser of the event, says: “The career paths taken by the speakers at the conference show the huge range and diversity of career opportunities available for GMIT current and prospective students. They will show how there is no longer a job for life and that adaptability in pursuing opportunities will be the key to their career success into the future.”

A range of companies will have stands in the GMIT foyer on the day, including SAP, Lotus Technical Services, Sourcedogg, Aspect Technologies, GMIT (re postgraduate opportunities), Openjawtech, Pel Engineering, Western Management Centre, Enterprise - Rent A Car, and others

The full programme of conference speakers is available on http://www.gmit.ie/slo/