02 August 2011

With so many graduates gaining Firsts and 2:1’s, an MSc is fast becoming the new “minimum requirement” to get that job interview. Rachelle Coyle (from Ardboe, Co. Tyrone) is an excellent example of how an MSc in Communication can make your CV stand out in the crowded job market. Rachelle recently graduated from Queen’s University after completing a full-time MSc in Communication at CAFRE’s Loughry Campus in Cookstown and was awarded the WD Morrow Award for the highest marks in her MSc project. Not surprisingly, all the hard work has paid off, as Rachelle has just secured a post of Trainee Human Resources Officer with Northern Ireland Electricity. In her new post, Rachelle will provide HR support to managers across the business and will be trained in a number of key HR areas to include recruitment and selection, industrial relations andperformance management.

Rachelle stated on achieving the MSc in Communication : “It highlights that I have a little bit extra to give and I am willing to develop myself above and beyond my fellow peers, at a time of increased graduate competition. Personally, I feel the course has really boosted my confidence and allowed me to be more assertive, and this has definitely helped me to access the first step on to the career ladder. The course was ideal for me personally, due to its location in Mid Ulster, competitive fees and the fact that it still allowed me to work part time while I was studying”.

The MSc in Communication is a Queen’s University course, delivered at Loughry Campus Cookstown, with options available in Training & Development for Rural Business and Strategic Management for Rural Business. It is available on both a full and part-time basis and although the course is designed for people working in or seeking a career in the agri-food and rural business sectors, it is open to all students as communication skills are transferable to any job.

Applications are currently being accepted for communication programmes starting in September 2011. For more information, freephone 0800 0284291.

Masters in Communication student Rachelle Coyle (Ardboe, Co. Tyrone) was presented with the WD Morrow Award for achieving the highest marks in the MSc thesis component of the Communication course.