- How do I find a job?
- The program will help point you in the right direction in terms
of jobs when you arrive but you should do some advance research to
ensure success. Preplanning is vital if you are planning on finding
a career related job.
- Do I need to get a job before I go?
- No. The work permit is not tied to a specific job but gives you
a terrific opportunity to work where and when you like.
- How much will I earn?
- This will depend on the type of job, the length of time you
spend in Ireland and your lifestyle! You will be paid the same as
an Irish or other legal worker and will be able to live on your
earnings. The current minimum wage is EUR8.65 but previous
participants have gotten jobs paying between 10-16€ per hour for
office jobs and even as high as 25€ per hour!
- What kind of jobs can I expect to get?
- Most students work in the hospitality industry, in restaurants,
cafes, bars, hotels or in other seasonal, vacation-type work. Those
with office experience find secretarial or administrative work in
offices. It depends not only on your experience but your attitude,
how you search for a job will depend on the type of job you find!
Think about what you do in your summers at home.and remember it's
not about the job itself. it's about the experience.
- Can I get a career related job?
- Yes. the work authorization entitles you to take any type of
work but you will need to put in the same kind of research and
planning as if you were relocating to a different US city for your
summer. And a resume can be enhanced by all kinds of international
experiences.
- Do I have to work the full four months/ 12 months?
- No...that's the maximum! Students who come during the summer
stay, on average, 6-8 weeks. Anything less isn't really realistic
as an employer is looking for some commitment! If you come outside
of the busy summer season, think about staying at minimum 3 months
as you it make take a few more days to find a job.
- Can I change my job during the four months/ 12 months?
- Yes. you may change jobs or even locations in Ireland during
the program. You can spend your summers in the countries and your
winters in the cities if you wish! Or even the reverse!
- Where can I go in Ireland?
- You can work in any one of the 26 counties of the Republic of
Ireland. However you need to think about areas that will have
temporary work especially seasonal jobs during the summer. Dublin,
Galway and Cork are the most popular destinations for students. If
you want a job in one of these places you need to get there before
the Irish students do! Galway particularly is VERY popular through
out the year, but keep in account that its economy is very much
based around the busy tourist season of April to October and jobs
can be hard to find outside of that time. Similar to smaller
country towns. In big tourist destinations, when the tourists are
sparse, so is work!
- How much is accommodation?
- Again that will depend hugely on where you live, in a city or
village, in shared housing or on your own. See the housing section
for more information.
- Do I have to stay in Dublin?
- No...After your arrival, orientation session and info from
USIT, you are free to head for any part of the country but in the
winter months you will be more restricted to the busier centres. It
may be easier for you if you arrive in Dublin as you are still
required to complete your work authorization process in Dublin with
the Work In Ireland team.
- Can I apply for the program if I am planning to study abroad in
Ireland?
- Yes, you can combine Work in Ireland with a study program and
work part time. Before you start your study program, or stay on
after for the summer. If you would like to work part time while
studying, check with your study abroad advisor as for many Student
study visas, you are allowed to work maximum 20-25 hours per week
while studying.
- Can I take up the program after graduation?
- Yes the program is open to graduating seniors and for the 4
month program you have six months grace after graduation before you
need to start the program. This is 6 months from the date you
graduated. For the 12 month program, you are allowed to enter
Ireland up to 12 months from when you graduated.
- I am graduating in December. When can I go?
- As long as you enter Ireland before the end of the 6 months/12
months, you can participate in the program. Therefore, if you
gradated on December 20th 2009, you will need to enter Ireland
before June 20th 2010/ December 20th 2010. Please note that you
must ENTER Ireland before that date, not just apply before that
date. Remember that you will need minimum 6 weeks for the 4 month
program and 8 weeks to apply for your visa.
- How much should I bring?
- We recommend that you bring a minimum of $1500 to cover your
arrival costs, deposit on housing and living until your first pay
check. It is always recommend to bring more! The bigger the
financial cushion you have, the better! For the 12 month program,
you are required to provide proof of funds for 1500 with return
ticket or 3000 without.
- When is the best time to go there?
- The most popular times for arrivals are late May to mid/late
June and end of August to October. The black out periods are mid
December to early February when there is little new recruiting and
July to mid august when you are in mid season for summer jobs.
Please see our jobs section for more information.
- Can I travel to other parts of Europe if I am on the
program?
- Yes. In fact we actively encourage people to use the travel
part of the Work and Travel Ireland program! Not just to explore
Ireland but also to realise how close you are to the rest of
Europe.. and, USIT, can help you plan your travels. Also if you are
thinking of extensive travelling, look into the Eurarail pass,
which must be purchased in the US and is not available in Ireland
or the Interrail pass that can be purchased in Ireland when you
have been in Ireland for 6 months.
- Can I leave and re-enter Ireland while I am on the
program?
- Yes, there are no programme restrictions but remember that your
four months/ 12 months will be clocking away as you go in and
out.
- What do I need for immigration?
- Your valid passport, your Letter of Eligibility and proof of
funds. Proof of funds can be a recent bank statement or credit card
statement. As well, it is advisable to have an address where you
will be staying for your first few days, for example, your hostel
address.
- What is a Letter of Eligibility?
- A letter of Eligibility will be sent to you as part of your
acceptance package from USIT Ireland for the 4 month program. For
the 12 month, your letter will be given to you by the Irish
embassy/consulate you applied through. This is an official document
signed by the Irish Embassy. You will need this to enter Ireland
through Immigration. The letter alone will not allow you to start
working when you arrive. Once you have attended orientation in
Dublin, those on the 4 month program will be issued with a card
that will allow you to register with the local authorities, the
GNIB (Garda National Immigration Bureau), thus providing you with
work authorization. Both the 12 month and 4 months programs must
register with the GNIB as part of the terms and conditions of the
work visa.
- Do I need to attend orientation if I already know someone who
can help me get set-up in Ireland?
- YES!!! In order to be authorized to work anywhere in Ireland
you must attend orientation in Dublin before moving on to any other
Irish destination so that you can be issued with a Work In Ireland
identification card.
- I am a permanent resident of the US but not a citizen -Can I
still apply?
- The program is only currently open to US citizens. Please
contact the Irish embassy in the country where your passport was
issued for further options.
- Could I go on my own?
- Certainly! In fact, most participants travel by themselves so
don't worry! You will meet many other people in the same situation.
Your USIT Work in Ireland team arrange monthly social activities so
that you can meet others!
