2007 Press Releases
Exciting opportunities for UCC's BSc Government Degree Students
The BSc Government is one of an exciting new generation of degrees
emerging in the Irish university system. Based in UCC's
Department of Government, the degree combines political science with
business, law, modern languages, social science and IT. An important
element of the degree is a 14-week work placement in year three.
Six third year BSc Government students are currently on work placement
in the New York State Assembly in Albany, New York. Gráinne
Donovan, Emma Dwyer, Joy Napier, Aoife Ni Dhomhnail, Kate O'Keeffe and
Matthew Ryan are all recipients of the Thomas Whalen Scholarship.
This scholarship was established in honour of the late Thomas Whalen,
former Mayor of Albany and former Visiting Lecturer in the Department
of Government. The scholarship is open to BSc Government students
and provides them with an opportunity to participate in US state
government and the legislative process through a well-structured
practical learning experience.
Work placement abroad provides valuable experience of the real world of
work and allows students to practise the skills they have acquired
during their degree studies. Students are placed in private and public
sector organisations as well as voluntary agencies. Government
departments, local authorities, PR firms, political parties, interest
groups, research bodies, enterprise boards and the broadcasting
industry are just some examples of where people are placed.
Placements are not just confined to Ireland. Some twenty-five
percent of students travel abroad to countries such as the United
States of America, Great Britain, Belgium and Spain to complete their
placements. At present students are working in the New York State
Assembly, Massachusetts State Legislature and the European Parliament.
The Department of Government believes that work placement is an
important element of the four-year degree. "We offer students
many different opportunities to find interesting and rewarding work
placements. Whether students want to work in Ireland or abroad,
the Department of Government has established an array of links that
allow students to pursue their individual interests and goals.
Not only do work placements allow students to put their interest in
politics to work in a practical setting, but they can also learn about
career opportunities and develop contacts with people who can help them
decide how to get the type of employment they seek" said Fiona Buckley,
Work Placement Officer.
For further information on the BSc Government degree and its work
placement programme, please contact the Department of Government, UCC
on 021-4902770. Prospective students may also sit in on
lectures. Please consult with Ann McCann, Senior Executive
Assistant (021-4902770) on times and locations of lectures.
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