78% of graduates worry about job prospects

New study reveals demand for paid industry placements, practical experience and clearer pathways into long-term careers.

Concern about employability and access to meaningful work experience is shaping the outlook of Ireland’s emerging talent pool, according to new research from Bord Bia’s Talent Academy.

The study found that 78% of recent graduates and students approaching graduation worry about their employability due to a lack of real-world experience, highlighting growing anxiety about making the transition from education into the workforce.

The findings coincide with the opening of applications for the September 2027 intake of Bord Bia’s International Graduate Programme, which combines a fully funded MSc in Global Business Practice with national and international placements across Bord Bia’s global network in the food, drink and horticulture sectors.

Experience Catch-22

The research points to what Bord Bia describes as an “entry-level paradox”. Some 84% of respondents said it feels impossible to gain experience without a job while also finding it difficult to secure a job without prior experience.

Financial concerns are also influencing career decisions. While 37% of respondents said they would like to continue their education through postgraduate study, 59% believe postgraduate qualifications are financially out of reach.

When asked what matters most after college, financial stability ranked highest among respondents. Long-term career opportunities and a guaranteed placement with a real company were also identified as key priorities.

Karen Connaughton, Industry Talent manager at Bord Bia, said graduates are increasingly seeking opportunities that combine education, practical experience and career progression.

“With a 95% employment rate, the Bord Bia Talent Academy has become a proven pathway for graduates who are looking for real career momentum. The new research shows young people want financial stability, practical experience and a clear route into industry and that’s exactly what the International Graduate Programme delivers.

“The programme offers students a fully funded masters while they gain structured, national and international, real-world learning that builds confidence, capability and long-term prospects in one of Ireland’s most important sectors.”

The report also highlights the emotional pressures facing graduates as they prepare to enter the workforce. 78% said they feel overwhelmed by the number of career choices available to them, while seven in 10 respondents said they feel they are “falling behind” when they see peers announcing jobs and career plans on social media.

Female graduates were particularly likely to feel the effects of social comparison. The research found that 88% of female respondents believe gaining experience without a job, and securing a job without experience, is a significant challenge, compared with 78% of male respondents.

Awareness of opportunities

For programme graduate Mallaidh McGoona, the experience helped provide direction at a critical stage of her career.

“Before joining the programme, I felt overwhelmed by choice and unsure where to start or how to get the experience employers were asking for. The programme gave me hands-on industry exposure, a MSc Global Business Practice and a network I never would have accessed on my own. I have now been working at DMC Foods since completing the programme and it genuinely supercharged the trajectory of my career.”

The research also suggests that awareness of opportunities within Ireland’s food, drink and horticulture sectors remains a challenge, with one in five respondents saying they do not know what roles are available across the industry.

Bord Bia said the International Graduate Programme is designed for final-year students due to graduate in 2027, as well as recent graduates with up to two years’ professional experience. Participants receive a full scholarship covering tuition fees and a tax-free bursary worth between €2,078 and €2,300 per month over the programme’s 24.5-month duration.

The programme is delivered in partnership with UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School and includes overseas placements within Bord Bia’s international office network. Graduates develop expertise in areas including export development, market insights, strategic marketing, customer value propositions, digital global business, supply chain management and sustainability.

The research was conducted by Bord Bia in partnership with Bounce Insights. A total of 515 respondents aged between 18 and 29 were surveyed between 27 August and 1 September 2026. Participants included current third-level and postgraduate students, graduates from the past two years and individuals in their first or second job since graduating.

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