Technical qualifications can open the door to a career, but strong communication and relationship-building skills may determine how far a graduate progresses. That is the central message from Nisha Devanathan, an accounting professional who moved from Chennai to Dublin and built her career through EY’s graduate programme.
Her experience offers a useful insight into Ireland’s changing employment landscape, where employers increasingly look for people who can combine professional expertise with collaboration, confidence and the ability to engage with colleagues and clients.
Breaking News: Graduate careers require more than exam results
Devanathan moved to Dublin five years ago to study for a master’s degree in accounting and financial management at University College Dublin. She later joined EY, where she has now reached four years with the firm.
During her training, she completed all of her ACA examinations on the first attempt. While those qualifications were an important part of her development, her account of the graduate programme highlights a broader point: professional success depends on more than technical knowledge alone.
Graduate roles in accounting, finance and other professional services often involve teamwork, client contact and problem-solving. Employees must be able to explain complex issues clearly, listen carefully and build trust with people from different backgrounds.
What employers look for in graduate applicants
Academic performance remains important, particularly in regulated professions where formal examinations and qualifications are required. However, employers also assess how candidates operate in real-world situations.
- Clear written and verbal communication
- Confidence when working with colleagues and clients
- Adaptability in unfamiliar situations
- Teamwork and active listening
- Professional judgement and reliability
- A willingness to keep learning
These qualities are often described as transferable or interpersonal skills. They can be developed through presentations, societies, volunteering, part-time work, internships and group assignments.
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How UCD helped connect students with employers
Devanathan said she first heard about EY’s graduate programme through the UCD Careers Network. University careers services can play an important role in helping students understand the range of opportunities available after graduation.
Career fairs, employer presentations and conversations with other students can give applicants a clearer view of recruitment processes and workplace expectations. They also allow students to ask questions before submitting an application.
For international students, these networks may be especially valuable. Moving to a new country can involve learning a different professional culture, building contacts from scratch and understanding how qualifications are recognised. Direct engagement with employers and university advisers can make that transition easier.
Why communication is particularly important in professional services
Accounting and financial management involve detailed technical work, but the results must often be understood by people who are not specialists. A financial report, audit finding or business recommendation only has value if it is communicated accurately and in a way the audience can use.
Professionals may communicate through meetings, presentations, emails and reports. Each format requires a slightly different approach. A successful employee needs to know when to provide detail, when to summarise and when to ask questions before reaching a conclusion.
Engagement also matters inside a firm. Graduate employees learn from managers, supervisors and colleagues. Those who seek feedback, contribute to discussions and respond constructively to advice are more likely to build productive working relationships.
Qualifications and workplace development go together
Devanathan’s completion of her ACA examinations demonstrates the importance of discipline and sustained study. Professional qualifications can provide a strong foundation, but graduate programmes are designed to combine formal learning with practical experience.
That combination allows new employees to apply classroom knowledge to real projects. It also exposes them to deadlines, teamwork, client expectations and the ethical responsibilities associated with professional work.
A graduate programme is therefore not simply a route to a certificate. It can be a structured introduction to workplace culture, leadership and long-term career planning.
Practical advice for students and graduates
Students preparing for Ireland’s graduate recruitment market can strengthen their applications by taking a balanced approach:
- Build technical foundations: Choose relevant modules, pursue required qualifications and understand the core knowledge expected in your target profession.
- Practise explaining ideas: Work on presentations, interview answers and concise written summaries.
- Use careers services: Attend employer events and seek feedback on applications and CVs.
- Show evidence of teamwork: Describe projects, societies, employment or volunteering where you contributed to a shared result.
- Ask thoughtful questions: Demonstrate curiosity about the organisation, its people and the role.
- Stay open to feedback: Treat early workplace experiences as opportunities to improve.
Applicants do not need to present themselves as perfect communicators. Employers are often looking for evidence that candidates can learn, listen and improve.
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What this means for Ireland’s jobs market
As workplaces become more collaborative and internationally connected, communication skills are becoming central to many career paths. Digital tools may support analysis and administration, but people still need to interpret information, make decisions and work effectively with others.
The message is relevant beyond accounting. Graduates entering technology, law, healthcare, engineering, business or public services also need to combine specialist knowledge with interpersonal awareness.
For employers, that means recruitment cannot focus exclusively on grades or technical credentials. For students, it means career preparation should include both professional study and deliberate practice in communication, teamwork and relationship-building.
Frequently asked questions
Why are communication skills important for graduates?
They help graduates explain ideas, collaborate with colleagues, understand client needs and respond effectively to feedback.
Are technical qualifications still important?
Yes. In professions such as accounting, formal qualifications and technical competence remain essential. The strongest candidates combine that expertise with communication and teamwork.
How can students improve their communication skills?
Students can practise presentations, join societies, take part in group projects, attend careers events and seek constructive feedback from lecturers or employers.
What is the value of a graduate programme?
A graduate programme can combine professional examinations with practical workplace training, mentoring and experience in team and client environments.
The key takeaway
Devanathan’s career journey shows why qualifications and communication should not be treated as competing priorities. Technical skills provide the expertise, while the ability to communicate and engage with others helps professionals apply that expertise effectively. For graduates seeking long-term success in Ireland, developing both sides of that equation is one of the most valuable investments they can make.
