Students urged to build an 'exciting' career in property
Wednesday January 28 2009
WE all love an optimist, especially in times of recession.
Step forward the president of the Society of Chartered Surveyors who yesterday urged Leaving Cert students to seriously consider a career in property and construction.
The housing and property market may be facing its worst ever crisis and shedding thousands of jobs, but Sean McCormack promises an exciting career "with lots of variety and interesting challenges".
CAO applications close at 5.15pm next Sunday and he told students that property may well be the profession to choose "despite the current downturn".
Mr McCormack, who is also director of professional services at DTZ Sherry Fitzgerald, says that students who enrol on property and construction courses this year will graduate in 2013 and will be "well placed for the upturn".
He says that the level of income for chartered surveyors is quite high and compares favourably with other professions.
"Surveying is a global profession and Irish surveyors have long been sought after to work abroad. Many graduates who want to combine a career with travel are now working in the Middle East (Dubai, Abu Dhabi), Asia (China), Africa, Australia and the USA."
"It has to be remembered that the fortunes of the construction industry are cyclical in nature and while it may be going through a downturn at the moment, it will recover.
"Forward-thinking students know that in four years' time they will be well placed to take advantage of the improved economic climate."
- John Walshe Education Editor
