Commerce International
What Next?
Commerce International
at UCC
The Bachelor of Commerce
International is a four year business
degree with one of the following
languages: French, German, Irish,
Italian, Hispanic Studies or Chinese
Studies. It presents opportunities
to combine a broadly based
business education with the study
of a language and culture. It is
designed to equip graduates with
the skills and knowledge to work
in a fast-changing global business
environment. The course offers the
opportunity of studying abroad in
third year, in a university partnered
with UCC, in order to experience the
language and culture of your chosen
subject.
You will also engage with core
subject areas which allow you to
understand how business works.
Areas of study include international
finance, marketing, management,
accounting, statistics and economics.
With these skills, you can follow a
number of career paths, whether in
Ireland or internationally.
What can Commerce International Graduates
offer employers?
A graduate of Commerce International will have developed the ability to:
• Read, write and speak in a foreign language.
• Effectively reference language-learning materials such as grammatical tables
and dictionaries in order to learn other languages with relative ease.
• Show an appreciation and interest in other cultures, and openness towards
integrating and working with different nationalities.
• Demonstrate an understanding of organisations and the external
environment in which they operate, how they are managed and the future
needs of organisations.
• Solve problems and make decisions using quantitative and qualitative
methods.
• Exercise numeracy skills with the competence to analyse financial and
numerical data
• Use IT skills in spreadsheets, word processing, on-line databases and
statistical packages.
• Display an insight into business procedures, the nature and functioning of
organisations, and the commercial world in general.
• Research business and management issues and address issues at European
and international levels.
• Work well autonomously as well as working in teams.
• Demonstrate leadership skills with the ability to negotiate and influence, with
an understanding of people, cultures and management issues.
• Use communication skills, both written and oral, with effective presentation
skills.
• Remain motivated, highly focused and goal driven with excellent
organisational skills.
 First destinations of Commerce International Graduates
Commerce International What Next?

Each year, UCC Career Service produces a First Destinations Report (FDR) based on an annual survey of graduates six months
after graduation. The following table represents the five year trend with regard to Commerce International graduates. From
the 2012 figures, 52% of those surveyed were in employment within six months of graduation.

5 Year Trend 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

In Employment 47% 34% 55% 57% 52%

In Further Study 36% 60% 42% 31% 43%
Seeking Employment 15% 4% 0% 6% 3.5%
Not Available for Employment or Study 2% 2% 3% 6% 1.5%

*The original title of the course was Commerce (European with Languages) but it changed name in the academic year 2007-2008 with the addition of
Chinese Studies.

Who employs Commerce International Graduates?

Graduates who progress directly to employment have taken up a variety of roles. The following table provides a sample of
jobs and employers listed in FDR surveys returned to UCC Career Services over the the past five years:

Employer Role
EMC Maintenance Operations Analyst
Fintrax Group Holding Finance Group Marketing Assistant
Glanbia Ingredients, Virginia IBEC Graduate Programme
OMF Publicity, Cork Public Relations Intern
KPMG Trainee Accountant
Deloitte & Touche Trainee Accountant
Voxpro Communication, Cork Customer Service Representative
Hauste Group, Cork Marketing Manager
DB Schenker, Cork Graduate Role
Telephonica Ireland, Dublin Graduate Role
Dell, Limerick Project & Program Analyst
Enterprise Ireland, Italy Trade Development Executive
Fota Island, Cork Marketing Assistant
Big Fish Games Inc., Cork Team Leader
Marriott Hotel Group Sales Administrator
IES Nestor Almendras Iomares, Seville, Spain Associate English Teacher

What Postgraduate Courses do Commerce International Graduates

choose?
Of those students who progress directly to postgraduate study, some choose courses related directly to the study of
Commerce and some choose to move to an alternative field that builds on their existing qualification. The following list
provides a sample of the postgraduate courses closely related to Commerce, taken from the FDR surveys returned to the
UCC Career Services.
Graduates wishing to pursue a professional qualification in accountancy are advised to contact the relevant professional
body for a list of accredited postgraduate courses and exemptions.

Course Title Institution

MSc (Corporate Finance) UCC
MSc (International Management) UCD
MSc (Marketing) UCD
MBS (Financial Marketing) UCC
MA (International Business) UCD
MA (Globalisation) NUIG
Masters International Management UL
MA (Translation Studies, French) UCC
MBS (Human Resource Management) UL
MSc Food Business UCC
MA (Purchasing & Supply Chain) University Abroad
MSc (International Management & Global Business) UL
Others choose a postgraduate ‘conversion’ qualification that provides them with skills and knowledge required to

Commerce International What Next?

access a new field of work. The next list provides a sample of the postgraduate “conversion” courses that were listed by
Commerce International graduates on FDR surveys returned to the Career Services:

Course Title Institution

Prof. Dip. in Education UCC

FE1 Preparation Other Irish Institution
PGDE Primary Teaching Mary Immaculate College, Limerick
MBS Government UCC
PGDE, Teaching through Irish NUIG

Graduate career paths 3-5 years after graduation

Commerce MBS
(International with Accenture
(Human Resource Management)
Languages)

Commerce
CELTA (Teaching English Teacher in Language
(International with
in a Foreign Language) School in Italy
Languages)

Long term prospects for Commerce International

Graduates
A Commerce International degree prepares graduates for a career in global business, which may stretch across any
sector or industry. Employers often view knowledge of foreign languages as evidence of a wider willingness to learn
and adapt. This is often as valuable to employers as fluency in a specific language. While not always requested in
the position specification or candidate profile, senior hiring executives often look favourably upon foreign language
skills. Graduate career options are therefore varied and enhanced by linguistic skills. Industries as diverse as chemicals,
utilities, fashion, health, grocery and construction all require functional managers with a clear understanding of
systems, efficiency and operational issues. Opportunities also exist in management and analysis roles with employers in
the private, public and voluntary sectors.

Graduate training schemes offered by large employers frequently focus on ‘commercial’ roles and may be of interest
to Commerce graduates. Many give experience in several departments but others encourage specialisation from the
outset. These recruitment schemes are advertised on www.gradireland.ie and company websites.

Opportunities are also available in the following sectors:

Marketing Banking Accountancy

Management Purchasing Retail Management
Logistics Advertising International Business
Translating Personnel Insurance
Interpreting Teaching Tourism
Tax Advisory Linguistics
Consultancy
For more information on these and all graduate roles, including entry routes, typical employers and vacancy sources,
consult the following recommended directories:
www.prospects.ac.uk/types_of_jobs_browse_all.htm
www.gradireland.com/career-sectors
 Where can I find out more?
Association Website

Marketing Institute, Ireland www.mii.ie

Chartered Accountants Ireland www.charteredaccountants.ie
The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) http://ireland.accaglobal.com
The CFA Institute www.cfainstitute.org
The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) www.cimaglobal.com
Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) www.cipfa.org.uk
The CPA Institute www.cpaireland.ie
Insurance Institute of Ireland (III) www.iii.ie
The Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) www.cii.co.uk
The Institute of Bankers in Ireland www.bankers.ie
Irish Tax Institute www.taxireland.ie
Irish Institute of Pensions Management www.iipm.ie
Irish Insurance Federation www.iif.ie
Irish Funds Industry Association www.irishfunds.ie
International Financial Services Centre www.ifsc.ie
Financial Regulator www.ifsra.ie
Financial Services Authority www.fsa.gov.uk
IFS School of Finance www.ifslearning.ac.uk
The Chartered Institute of Taxation www.tax.org.uk
The British Insurance Brokers Association www.biba.org.uk
The Management Consultancies Association www.mca.org.uk
The Securities and Investments Institute www.sii.org.uk
The Pensions Management Institute www.pensions-pmi.org.uk
The Teaching Council www.teachingcouncil.ie
Finance Jobs, Ireland www.financejobs.ie
Institute of Personnel Development www.cipd.ie
Language Jobs www.toplanguagejobs.ie
Languages and Culture www.gradireland.com
Multi Lingual Vacancies.com www.multilingualvacancies.com
Careers with the European Union www.europa.eu/epso/index_en.htm

8 ways to put your degree to work Did you know?

Employers want graduates with a three-dimensional CV, who are able to demonstrate a healthy balance The Royal Irish
during their college years between study, work and extra-curricular interests. CVs should provide evidence Academy says that Ireland
of maturity, life skills and active citizenship to inform a future employer that they will be taking on a is falling far behind its
sociable, committed and reliable colleague. neighbours, with 66% of
• Get involved in running the Students’ Union or a club/society that interests you. Irish people not knowing
any other language than
• Gain relevant paid/voluntary work experience during holidays or free days.
their native tongue, the
• Sign up for training courses that will strengthen your skill set, e.g. languages, ECDL.
highest percentage in
• Set up a LinkedIn profile and start building your network. Europe. In comparison,
• Go to the UCC Career Services for careers advice and assistance with regard to CV and interview 56% of people in
preparation, job search strategies, and postgraduate options. Europe are able to hold
• Attend careers events organised on campus and advertised on www.ucc.ie/careers a conversation in one
• Use careers events to initiate relationships with potential employers. language other than their
• Check job vacancies regularly on www.ucc.ie/careers and www.gradireland.com mother tongue.

While this resource provides you with an overview of the career options available with your degree, each person carves
their own career path based on their personal values and interests. Your college years are an ideal time to explore career
options while gaining new experience and learning new skills. Why not speak to a careers adviser to help you get
started?

As a student of UCC, you are entitled to book a free personal consultation with a careers adviser at UCC Career
Services. You can return as many times as needed because we understand that it makes sense to begin planning your
career from first year onwards – don’t wait until final year! We look forward to meeting you, no matter what your
year of study. For your convenience, we now have a web-based booking system. Book your appointment online via
our website – www.ucc.ie/careers - in the Meet an Advisor section.