I FINISHED my exams on a Friday and started work on a Monday. I got the job through the college. The very first day I started I went to the trade board to make a presentation with the export manager.

Kern Kinnear's career has prospered in the intervening three years and he is now a brand manager with the same company, Tipperary Spring Water.

He says that the computer knowledge he gained on the diploma in international trade and marketing in Dun Laoghaire Community College was very helpful, as was studying foreign trade. "Coming in with no knowledge of that (foreign trade) would have been suicide," he adds. While Kinnear's experience may be exceptional, Michael Condren, course co-ordinator, says that the job prospects for graduates of the course are extremely good. Graduates have gone into a wide range of companies, including Irish Life, Intel, Ericsson and Bank of Ireland Finance. "Taking this route ensures speedy entry to those departments of companies which have import and export concerns. Specialists are needed to administrate the intricacies of law and economics which govern the movement of goods around the world and Ireland depends very heavily on exporting as well as importing materials for further processing," Condren says.

The course run in Dun Laoghaire lasts two years, full-time, and includes work experience in both years. Core subjects include law, economics, the law of foreign trade and marketing as well, as information technology and languages for business.

Dawn Mulholland, computer lecturer, says that in first year, students do a basic course in word-processing, spreadsheets and databases.

This is examined by the Irish Exporters' Association and students must pass the exam.

"Doing the basics in first year means that when students go out on work experience they are useful. They have some core computer skills to bring with them," says Mulholland, who was involved in putting together the course curriculum.

IN SECOND YEAR, students look at how computers affect business generally and the export and import business particularly. "Although they will need some initiation when they start work, they should feel comfortable with computers," she says. If people want to branch out into the management area, computer literacy is a very useful platform to start from, Mulholland adds.

Derek Gilroy, lecturer in international trade, explains that the work-experience element is a huge part of the course and has an important bearing on job prospects. "The type of person generally suited to the course is someone who is business oriented, perhaps someone who ultimately wants to be a self-starter," Gilroy says.

The course, he explains, is pitched somewhere between second and third level and is well recognised within the industry. There are degree courses in Britain if students wish to continue their education, but most go directly into employment.

The minimum requirements for the course are five passes in the Leaving Cert. All candidates are interviewed. "At interview, we are looking for interest in business, initiative and somebody with a sense of direction, perhaps somebody who has done a little research on the course," Gilroy explains.

Each year, the college takes on between 20 and 25 students. Not all students come directly from Leaving Cert - there are usually some mature candidates.

First-year student Gavin Kearns says he opted for the course because he had an interest in international banking. "I'm enjoying it very much. I did two weeks work experience with Tipperary Spring Water" - where he worked with past pupil Kinnear. Kearns would like to go into marketing or banking and hopes to stay in Ireland.

His fellow first-year, Anita Kearns, says the course is challenging. "Some of the subjects are new to most people. There is a lot of work but it is very practical," she says.

Jamie Dowling, a 23-year-old second-year student, says the export industry is always growing and there are good employment prospects. He did his work experience in first year with a shipping agent, and last month he and five other students participated in an exchange trip to a college in Italy. Although the work load has increased in second year, Dowling says that he would highly recommend the course.