Inspire magazine by Athlone Institute of Technology

AIT Inspire

November 2018

In s p i re

Dreaming Big We speak to Frank Ryan about hard work and ambition

Environ 2017 In April AIT hosted largest environmental sciences conference in Ireland

Designs for Life

Connect & Discover

Climbing the Ladder This year AIT was awarded the Irish Times Good University Institue of the year

Inspiring Women Read about a group of graduates making strides in the world of equestrianism

A success story about a local pharmaceutical company making a difference in peoplesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; lives

co n t e n ts

1. Dreaming big

2. A City in waiting

3. Climbing the ladder

4. Graduate survey

5. Environ 2017

6. Polymer engineering - a family affair

7. Bound for glory

8. Regional skills 18

9. Next Steps....Careers 22 10. Inspiring Women 24 11. Graduate snapshot

12. Design for life

A word from our president Our Inspire magazine was created to inspire you with stories of our wonderful graduates located all around the world doing extraordinary things. At AIT, we take great pride in both our students and our graduates who have always distinguished themselves through the quality of their work and their achievements. We have always been as ambitious for our Institution as we have been for each and every one of our students. This year we were awarded with the Sunday Times, Institute of Technology of the Year 2018. This award is an important inflection point in our near 50 year history as we continue to further solidify our status as an academic centre of excellence. AIT is a community of like-minded, driven, thought leaders. It is this sense of community that fuels the dynamism and energy you feel at AIT and what allows us to continuously match industry needs and consistently high student satisfaction so seamlessly. Our award and ranking in 8th position nationally is recognition towards the culture of innovation cultivated at AIT. AIT is a community that you will always remain a part of as a graduate and now a member of our alumni. 2

A word from our editor We’ve had great fun putting together the inspirational graduate stories in this our first edition of INSPIRE. I hope you will be blown away by all that our graduates are achieving and use these stories as inspiration for yourself whether you are supporting a student in their next steps or whether you are that student or graduate who is looking forward to the success and fulfillment that a great education can bring to their lives. I would like to thank our contributors for their generosity and time in sharing their stories and would also would like to recognise the work of AIT staff who have been part of these success stories along the way. In particular it is important to give a shout out to Denise Dolan and Lorraine Sammon in the AIT Careers Office who work tirelessly behind the scenes to support and inspire our students in their next steps. In the words of our Governing Body Chairman, ‘the sky really is the limit for our graduates’!

Bressie spoke at our ‘Mind your Mates’ initiative last year in the Student’s Union 33

AIT Inspire

Dreaming big... An interview with Frank Ryan by Sarah La Cumbre

Frank Ryan is a big believer in dreaming big, hard work and old-fashioned ambition. When I met with AIT Governing Body Chairman, and Chairman of the IDA, Frank Ryan, he had just finished a busy morning of high level meetings which ran on into lunch. It would have been easy for Frank to postpone our interview hot on the heels of a hectic morning, however he very graciously kept our appointment and switched gears to chat with me about what he has learned and observed in his own career and what he feels the future holds for AIT graduates. Frank’s own learning journey started as an Air Traffic Control Assistant in Cork, followed by employment in a computer company in Dundalk and then on to working for Honeywell in Dublin. His experience in Honeywell led to a role in the IDA who were interested in developing alliances with mini computer companies at the time and this work brought Frank to North America for four years. Frank went on to become Executive Director of the IDA in charge of overseas investment followed by two five year terms as CEO of Enterprise Ireland from 2003 to 2013, after which he ultimately became Chairman of the IDA. He feels very fortunate to have joined the IDA which he credits as having very high levels of governance and integrity. He describes the valuable learning he received from dealing with companies all around the world and from the talented colleagues he worked with along the way. He was keen to stress the importance of making the most of life wide learning opportunities not just from the world of work or academia but also the opportunities for learning through our communities, from older people and from giving back along the way. Frank is a great believer in studying and working. He realised early on that he would need ‘the piece of paper’ if he was to go much further in his career and in his words he would “have to get studying”! This realisation was for him, the start to his own life long approach to learning. He completed the IMI Diploma in Business Strategy followed by an IMSC from Trinity College in Strategic Management.

Frank is passionate about learning and returning to learning throughout your working life, citing the importance of “work, study, work, study”. He feels his academic studies have helped him think in new ways and has really stood to him throughout his career. His achievements in both work and study were recognised at a later stage. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Law from UCD in recognition for his contribution to economic development and received the National Award in Innovation and Management from the IMI. When I asked Frank about his experience and what advice he would give to upcoming graduates he talked of having ambition and setting stress targets. According to Frank, “I think it’s important to dream. We dreamt of full employment 30 years ago at a time when there was lots of unemployment. You may as well have been talking about sending people to the moon. We can be hard on ourselves but look how far we have come as a country since joining the EU”. He feels that “students have matured so much in the last number of years. They are not just looking at a job as a means to making money; they are following their dreams. This is hugely empowering and of course, puts them on the road to success”.

“Right now is a wonderful time to be able to think” Ryan is passionate about the potential for AIT students and graduates saying, “it’s not possible to set a limit on the future of our students”. They have been educated to think, solve problems and have the technical and human skills they need. He describes ‘right now’ as being “a wonderful time to be able to think” and that students “have permission to succeed” now more than ever “from peers, parents and society”. Frank Ryan is himself a thinker who admires people who “think more deeply than the next soundbite” – a trait he possesses in spades from this interviewer’s perspective. When asked what does the future hold, Frank is quick to point out that “change is normal, not abnormal“ and that the nature of work has always changed going back to the time of the industrial revolution. In particular, he feels that the way we mine information is changing and that robotics and artificial intelligence will play key roles in our future. According to our Chairman, “you are educated to think” and the skills of analysis, innovation, coming to judgement and finding solutions will be the skills that differentiate people going forward. In his words, a graduate will “only be limited by their own imagination”. 4

AIT Inspire

A City in waiting... Jim Power discusses the need to grant city status to Athlone

Some in my profession in this country have argued over the years that regional economic development strategies are ultimately a waste of time and that policy and resources should be directed towards allowing Dublin expand in every direction. I fundamentally disagree with this view of the world and always have. The notion that a small island like Ireland should allow the bulk of population and economic activity concentrate in a small geographic area and allow the rest of the country become denuded of young people and economic activity does not make sense to me. It is important from a social and economic perspective that economic development be as regionally balanced as possible. I fully accept that there is a natural tendency for people and economic activity to gravitate towards the capital city. Just look at London as an example, and Dublin is no different. However, just because this is the natural tendency does not mean that policy makers should stand idly by and allow it proceed uninterrupted. Dublin will always be the centre of economic activity and population growth in this country and will continue to act as a magnet for young people who want to taste a bit of urban life. The reality is that Dublin is a great place to live, but with proper planning there could be many other places around the country equally good to live in. Dublin is now facing many challenges from congestion, strong population growth, strong commercial development, pressure on public services and an acute shortage of housing for ownership and

rental purposes. Quite simply, the city is outgrowing its infrastructure and with the investment opportunities likely to be presented by Brexit, many of these pressures have the potential to get even worse. I believe that it will become ever more important to develop counter-balances to the Dublin economy, and in this context, Athlone ticks a lot of boxes. Road access is superb; rail access is good; it is situated in the middle of Ireland, just 120 kilometers from Dublin and 86 kilometers from Galway; it has the beautiful river Shannon flowing through it; it has a strong tourism offering, such as the fantastic Athlone Castle; it has a strong educational offering; and has a good history of industrial development. Athlone is currently a relatively small town with a population of 21,349 according to Census 2016. The proposal to designate it a city, projects that the population could double by 2040. If the proper planning is put in place, the potential could be even greater. Of course there is also a populated hinterland of around 500,000 people. Given its geographic location and its proximity to at least one international airport, the potential for Athlone to become the fulcrum of a dynamic city region is immense. The first thing that has to happen is to grant it city status and the rest would flow.

By granting Athlone city status, it would be possible to develop the town and create a dynamism that is currently lacking in the region and the potential to create a dynamic city region would be very significant. This would give the impetus to create an area where people want to visit, to work in, to live, to socialize and to bring up their families. To do this, there must be an abundance of high quality housing; a high quality IT infrastructure; top quality public services such as health and education; a diverse retail offering; restaurants and coffee shops; hotels; public amenities such as parks and playgrounds; a diverse sporting offering; cultural activities; and an open and diverse society. Of course big employers would also be essential, and the notion of making Athlone a hub for life science and technology firms makes perfect sense. I happen to believe that properly marketed, Athlone could also benefit from some of the UK financial institutions that may wish to locate in Ireland post-Brexit. As Athlone grows and develops as a city region, the attractions for graduates to remain in the region will improve. If a city infrastructure were developed, then the job opportunities and the social opportunities would make it a very compelling place in which to live and work. In this context, having a third level educational institution would be of vital importance. Strong educational institutions are vital for attracting employers and driving the growth of a region. If and when Athlone gets city status, the development of the region will be heavily dependent on the development of AIT. University status should be the ultimate objective.

AIT Inspire

Climbing the ladder

Irish Times Good University Guide Institute of the year 2018 AIT has just been awarded the prestigious “Sunday Times Institute of Technology of the Year” 2018. We moved up the ranking and finished 8th this year, our highest ranking in the league table made up of Universities and Institutes. AIT’s strength in identifying areas of skills shortage and working with businesses to improve links between enterprise and academia, were among the reasons we were awarded the title.

AIT Inspire

Alastair McCall, Editor of The Sunday Times Good University Guide

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

Athlone has risen to its highest ranking in the Sunday Times Good University Guide league table this year, further eroding the traditional divide in league tables between the universities and institutes of technology.

AIT Inspire

Tóg do Seans – Go For It!

My name is Aoife Lane, I am Head of Department of Sport and Health Science here in AIT and I am also Chairperson of the Women’s Gaelic Players Association (WGPA). AIT Inspire is a wonderful initiative, and I am delighted to be able to contribute to it, by telling you a little about what inspires me, and to share some thoughts that may be relevant to you as a student here in AIT. Firstly, I am the most easily inspired person in the world. Almost every day, someone or something will spur me on in some way; to change something at work, in sport or just in my own general day to day life. I’m not the most innovative thinker in the world so I rely heavily on being impressionable and open to other people’s experiences and ideas. Secondly, I have one motto, one belief that dovetails nicely with being inspired by others, and that is to take opportunities, to go for it. When I reflect on where I am now, I can see it all, I can chart how things happened for me, and it was all down to taking opportunities. For example, while at college, studying Sport and Exercise Science in UL, I engaged with my learning, I went to class, I took notes, I completed and submitted assignments on time, I asked questions, and I learned from others who were smarter than me! There were subjects in college I didn’t fully grasp, there are still things on a daily basis that I struggle with but I leaned on people then and now who could and can help me. While in UL I also got involved with 8

running the GAA club and thus pushed myself a little bit to do extra in areas that I was passionate about. When I graduated from UL, I went on to complete a Masters in Health Promotion in NUI Galway and one month after completing the programme received a call to travel to Waterford IT to discuss some teaching hours. Within two days, I was teaching Statistics and Exercise to Music – me, someone who took Ordinary Level Maths and who can’t dance! Three years later, I was sitting across from a leading expert in the area of physical activity (Professor Adrian Bauman) and chatting about the Women’s Mini Marathon and he suggested I do a PhD in this area. I said yes and had a wonderful experience working with Adrian, for a time in Australia, and with Dr Niamh Murphy in Waterford IT. Later, in 2014, I was at an event where the top female athletes in Gaelic Games where urged to consider forming a players association. One year later, with the help of six of Ireland’s top camogie players and ladies footballers, the WGPA was launched to improve the experiences of women in our gaelic sports. It was once said that being a woman in sport in Ireland was like being a member of a secret club. We are working to enhance the status of that club! The WGPA has opened lots of other doors for me; I have enjoyed a year long leadership programme and have met with the great Billie Jean King and chatted about how to move things forward for women in sport, and

across society in general. This journey of opportunities culminated most recently in applying for and being offered the position of Head of Department of Sport and Health Science here in AIT. I am thoroughly enjoying my job here and am so enthused by the vision, sense of community and student led environment that exists in the Institute. In all of my experiences, I have learned what can be achieved as a college graduate, what life should be like for anyone who invests themselves in their education and in their own personal development, regardless of gender. I know this now because I have lived it and I see it all around me, here in our own Department, across the Institute, and beyond; women achieving and becoming empowered, and subsequently impacting positively on people around them. Billie Jean King believes that if you can’t see it, you can’t be it. Thankfully, we all work and study in a place where achievement and excellence is visible and facilitated equally among men and women. Finally, the fun, learning and growing happens in a completely different place to where your comfort zone lies. Going for it, as a student or graduate, presents endless opportunities to get to that place. Strive to grab at least one opportunity every year that makes you a better student and graduate of AIT. Go For It! Wishing you all the best in your next opportunities, Aoife.

AIT Inspire

SPARQS National Award 2017 Graduates Priscilla Nevin and Patrick Mcloughlin, parents to Patrick Junior age 6, developed an App to support learning and communication skills for children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder. The couple were successful in winning the SPARQS National Award 2017 for their work on their App ‘Everyday Independence’. The App which is at prototype stage, is under development with its creators who are currently in discussion with Peter Brabazon from Specialisterne Ireland (an organisation who employs autistic adults) with a view to taking the App to the next level. The young couple’s best tester for their new App is their son Patrick Junior who is himself on the autistic spectrum. Priscilla’s interest in social care combined with Patrick’s engineering expertise proved a winning combination in seeing ‘Everyday Independence’ come into being. The couple are looking forward to the next stages for their creation and hope that this App can benefit other children in the future. Priscilla credits her education and training in AIT in addition to her and Patrick’s passion for the subject to make this all possible.

Graduate Profiles Name: Niall Corcoranan Course: Bachelor of Business (Honours) in Management in Tourism and Sport Graduation Year: 2005 Q: Where are you working? A: I work as a Gaelic Games Development Officer with Dublin County Board. I currently work with Kilmacud Crokes GAA Club. Q: Your most memorable experience of AIT? A: I really enjoyed the course and the friends I made along the way. Most memorable experience would be captaining the Hurling team. Q: What did your course teach you? A: As the course included a mixture of both business and sports subjects, I got a chance to develop many skills. Strategic & financial management are just two of the areas that I regularly engage with in work. I organise a number of sporting events such as Coaching Conferences, Schools events, camps and Schools of Excellence so studying Sports Events Management in AIT has been hugely beneficial in this regard. As the course also included a practical element, it allowed me to develop my communication, organisational and planning skills that i need to work effectively within my role. Q: What advice would you give to upcoming and recent graduates? A: Get as much experience in both the sports and business industry during your work experience throughout the summer! Find out what you like and don’t like! Take advantage of some of the add on courses such as life saving courses, various coaching badge courses, first aid etc... Finally get involved in some of the sports and societies clubs in the college.

Keep in touch with lecturers and anyone else you know working in the industry - you never know when you might need their help or advice! Q: What gets you going in the morning? A: Coffee, porridge and eggs!! It also helps that I enjoy working in my job! Q: What do you like about your job? A: I enjoying delivering some of the fundamental movements skills module within the primary schools. I also enjoy delivering the various Coach Education Programmes to new and upcoming coaches within the GAA. Q: Any tips for getting ahead in your industry? A: Attendance at events such as the annual GAA Coaching Conference help to inform people of the latest and most innovative coaching tools being applied globally. Constant up skilling in areas of child and youth coaching, athletic development and mental health are beneficial. Q: What is your industry looking for in a graduate? A: Excellent interpersonal and influencing skills, excellent communication and presentation skills, ability to work within a team and also build and sustain good relationships are really important. Excellent administrative and IT skills are also helpful along with a good knowledge of GAA related initiatives and schemes. Q: What is a typical day for you? I usually start my day off in school coaching in some of the local schools in the area. This would include introducing children to basic GAA skills and working on their fundamental movement skills. Most days include some after school activity where i would assist teachers with implementing GAA after school activities for older classes. My job includes some evening work where I am required to deliver and present on the various GAA Coach Education Progammes, run basic skills workshops for coaches, assess coaches and mentors on their delivery of a typical GAA Coaching session, and meet with the various coaching committees within the club. 9

AIT Inspire

Graduate Survey...

EMPLOYMENT TRENDS: All Awards Levels Internship/voluntary/ 1.6%

0.1% Employed abroad

2016

47.64%

45%

5.2%

Employed

Further study/training

Seeking employment

0.1% Employed abroad

2015

0.8%

50.0%

41.4%

7.2%

Further study/training

Employed

Seeking employment

0.1% Employed abroad

2014

0.5%

Employed

Further study/training

0.1% Employed abroad

2013

19.4% Employed

Seeking employment 1.0%

60.0% Further study/training

0.5%

9.3%

56.0%

34.1%

1.0%

0.3%

17.8% Seeking employment

AIT Inspire

Types of contracts held

100%

80% 80%

60%

40%

20%

2 0% L6

L10

Permanent Contract Fixed contract longer than 12 months Temporary contract

Fixed contract less than 12 months

LOCATION OF GRADUATES: All Awards Levels, all faculties

100% L6 Engineering & Informatics graduates working in Ireland

98.9% L

L8 Health & Science

graduates working in Ireland

98.1% L9 Business and Hospitality graduates working in Ireland

AIT Inspire

Environ 2017 - Day 1 Field Trip Clara Bog

Environ 2017

In April 2017 AIT hosted Environ, the Irish Environmental Researcher’s Colloquium and the largest environmental sciences conference in Ireland. Environ 2017 afforded AIT staff, undergrads, postgrads and graduates a wonderful opportunity to work together to make this the most successful conference ever held in its 27-year history. In conjunction with the Environmental Sciences Association of Ireland (ESAI), the organising committee and subcommittees showcased the tremendous talents of the AIT Community with everyone putting a shoulder to the wheel to make it all happen. AIT graduates and current students from all over Ireland presented their work alongside industry professionals, post-doctoral researchers, professors and international experts. The Environ conference opened with a public debate on flood management problems in the Shannon Basin.

This event was attended by an audience of over 300 people and was superbly chaired by Journalist Ciaran Mullooly, RTE News. There was lively debate between the major stakeholders including Inland Fisheries, Irish Water, ESB, Minister Sean Canney TD and Eco Eye presenter Anja Murray to name but a few. Over the three days of the conference 315 delegates from all over Ireland, Northern Ireland, UK, Germany and USA presented over 100 oral presentations and 60 posters. As testament to the success of Environ 2017 at AIT, there was huge media interest in the conference. Environ trended on Twitter repeatedly over the course of the three days, which is highly unusual for an academic conference and we also featured on RTE Nine O’ Clock News, Newstalk’s Pat Kenny and several local and regional radio stations.

AIT Inspire

Iain Murray Prof Ted Lock - IST Iona Pratt Who knew that studying science in AIT would lead to valuable experience in event management. From health & safety, to social media campaigns, students were involved in every aspect of the conference organisation. The conference team was expertly lead by Dr. Andy Fogarty, Dr. Sile O Flaherty, Ms. Marese Ward Shine and ESAI’s Sinead Macken; with former BSc (Hons) Toxicology student and now AIT Science Tutor, Iain Murray, playing a pivotal part in the overwhelming success of the conference. Iain’s journey to AIT was long but hugely rewarding.

From Mature Student to Staff member AIT’s new Science Tutor, Iain Murray Iain Murray came to AIT as a mature student with a minimal science background. He was an Architectural Technologist and worked in the construction industry for several years designing everything from slatted sheds to hotels and from houses to industrial units. During the economic turmoil of 2008 / 2009, Iain was made redundant. Iain, a father of three young children, quickly realised that waiting for “the building to pick up again” was not a realistic option and decided to re-skill.

Anja Murray of EcoEye joined the debate panel Professor Neil Rowan, investigating the “Toxicological Effects of Nanoparticle Pollutants on the Freshwater Environment”. He has published his research in peer reviewed international journals, presented at national environmental conferences and in 2016 was awarded the Iona Pratt medal for Excellence in Toxicology by the Irish Society of Toxicology. Iain is now employed as valuable member of AIT’s Learning Support Team, working as the Science Tutor in the Student Resource Centre . Supports are offered to all registered science students year round and are provided is free of charge. Speaking about his own career journey and when asked what advice he would give to people, “Just because you have embarked on one path, doesn’t mean it’s the right path. Don’t get pigeon holed. It’s ok to stop and start again. Sometimes our lives / career paths need a reboot”.

Through the Labour Market Activation Scheme, Iain accessed a FETAC Level 5 course in Laboratory Techniques run by his local ETB (formerly VEC). He completed this year long course and graduated with distinction. Towards the end of the course, Iain realised that this was not going to be sufficient to provide the quality of employment and career prospects he desired so he researched his options and make the decision to apply for the ab intio Honours degree program, BSc (Hons) Toxicology in AIT. Not having much background in science, he didn’t know if he preferred chemistry or biology, so he chose Toxicology as it seemed to be a nice blend of the two. Iain finished top of his class in 2015, graduating from AIT with first class honours. He then undertook a Masters by Research in Ecotoxicology in AIT’s Bioscience Research Institute under the supervision of Dr. Andy Fogarty and

Denis Naughton and Tom Farrell 13

AIT Inspire

06 Why did you choose AIT and the polymer course? Joe: The main reasons I choose AIT, or as it was back then Athlone Regional Technical College, was its ideal location approximately an hour from home (Castlemore, Ballaghaderreen) which meant I could get home every weekend. The plastics course has a reputation for ensuring employment after graduation and is recognised internationally, which gave me flexibility if I wanted to travel and work as a professional engineer. Luke: Joe (the older brother!) had done the Polymer Degree course and was carrying out his PhD in AIT when I was thinking about what course to do in college. He had only good things to say about AIT and the course and lecturers. Tess: I was completing an undergraduate degree in Pharmaceutical Science at Sligo IT and was looking for an area of interest to complete my 4th year thesis on. I approached AIT as I knew about the research being undertaken there (Luke was leading a research group there). This project led to my completing a PhD in AIT; I’m currently at the writing up stage. Tell us a little about your career and what you do now? Joe: After completing my degree in Athlone, I spend a further 4 years in the college initially carrying out a research masters, followed by a research PhD. After finishing my PhD I worked as a Research & Development engineer with a number of start-up companies working in areas such as plastic & rubber recycling and product and process development using supercritical fluids. After this, I spent 2 years as Engineering Manager with Pharmaplaz Ltd in the highly regulated pharmaceutical industry, before moving to Harmac Medical Ltd where I spent 10 years as a Project Manager. Harmac are a global company, and while there I had the opportunity to lead the development of numerous plastic medical products that are being used to save lives all around the world. During my years as a postgraduate, I completed some part time lecturing which I really enjoyed, so when a position arose in AIT for a Polymer Processing lecturer in late 2015, I immediately applied and have subsequently been lecturing in the college since the start of 2016. Luke: After I completed the Polymer Degree course at AIT, I decided to carry out a PhD research study in the area of smart polymers, which I really enjoyed and at this point I made the 14

decision to continue my career in research. Following this I became a staff member in AIT establishing my own research team, the Smart Polymers Research Group. This team has grown year on year to become one the largest Polymer Materials Processing research groups in Ireland. My work involves working very closely with Irish companies on research projects, and I am a Founding Principal Investigator for Ireland’s National Centre for Polymer Materials and Processing Research, the Applied Polymer Technologies (APT) Gateway, which is supported by Enterprise Ireland and industry. This centre is a one stop shop for companies with polymer research needs. Tess: I already had 12 years industry experience and 3 undergraduate degrees prior to commencing my studies at AIT. 10 of those years were spent in the UK, working firstly within the coatings industry mostly in technical roles (for Metal Treatments Birmingham, Specialty Minerals and Lawrence Industries) and then the food industry for JohnsonDiversey in a project management type position. My work in Ireland was within the medical device industry for Harmac Medical where I worked in QA specialising in CAPAs. For the past year I have been working as a Senior Quality Professional within the design control group at Abbott Diagnostics. What’s the most rewarding part of your job? Joe: The most rewarding part of my current job is being able to impart some of the knowledge that I have gained throughout my adult life both studying and working with polymers, to the next generation of polymer graduates. Luke: As a researcher, I have always been very eager to learn new things. I really enjoy research, coming up with new ideas and then bringing those ideas to life, while helping other researchers and students to fulfil their potential. Many of my past research students now hold really good R&D positions with leading biomedical companies and academic institutions throughout Europe and I have had the opportunity to present my work at international conferences all around the world. Tess: I currently work as a Senior Quality Professional for Abbott Diagnostics. I love working in a fast paced environment where what you’re doing every day is different. Working with colleagues from multiple functional areas to ensure the products we make

AIT Inspire

Polymer Engineering A Family Affair

Graduate Profile Name: Thomas Nally Course: General Nursing Graduation Year: 2017

are to the highest standard so as to enhance our customers experience is very rewarding. I also enjoying mentoring the younger members of the team, especially new graduates who are just starting their careers. What do you think the prospects are like for graduates in the plastics field? Joe: The prospects are excellent as evidenced by the interest of plastic companies in taking on 3rd year placement students, with many of these students being offered full time positions when they graduate. We currently have a 100% employment rate with our graduates. Luke: Excellent – Companies are literally crying out for qualified polymer engineers and scientists, and demand during the recession was still very very high. The polymer courses in AIT equip students with real world skills, and provide fantastic job opportunities. Tess: The prospects for any science/engineering graduate within Ireland at the moment are fantastic. The pharmaceutical and medical device sectors are still growing at a great rate, with Ireland still being seen as a great location for businesses to base themselves within Europe. Did having family members interested in plastics inspire you? Joe: Well I was the first to study plastics in the family, you could say I was the pioneer! While I didn’t have family members in the plastics industry to inspire me, talking to one of my Aunts who had studied here a few years previously and had glowing praise for the AIT experience certainly helped me make my decision to choose AIT and plastics as my next step after the Leaving Certificate. Luke: Yes, absolutely (although I’d never admit it to Joe!). Tess: Yes, for sure. With both my brothers completing their undergraduate degrees in polymer engineering and their PhDs at AIT, I knew from speaking to them that it was a discipline that could help me progress in my career.

Q: Where are you working? A: Leisure Centre Manager, Coral Leisure. Q: Your most memorable experience of AIT? A: To be part of AIT Nursings first overseas trip to Uganda where we worked alongside local professionals providing healthcare, education and HIV testing to the local community. Q: What do you love about your job? A: The results are tangible on a daily basis and you meet so many different people with such a widespread array of life experiences. Nursing also has so many different aspects and avenues for further specialisation. Q: What did your course teach you? A: That Nursing is a privilege and that the hands on skills alongside practical theory can be used on a daily basis to make a difference in peoples lives. Q: What advice would you give to upcoming and recent graduates? A: Gain industry experience and make a good impression on work placements! Q: What gets you going in the morning? A: The chance to make a positive difference to just one person in that day. Q: What do you like about your job? A: The people, no two days are ever the same. Q: Tips for getting ahead in your industry? A: Like any industry there is no substitute for hard work but being a team player is definitely key to success. Q: What is your industry looking for in a graduate? A: Someone who has qualifications and willing to work to improve their clients experience. Q: Any future plans? A: Hopefully to specialise in critical care and to further my academic career. Q: Do you have any hobbies? A: Kayaking, rafting, boxing, reading, roller-coasters!! Q: What is a typical day for you? A: I’m up most days at 6 am, get a good breakfast, on ward for 7.45 am, then juggle the ever changing day in the life of a nurse, usually finished at 8.30-9.00 pm and home by 9.30 pm. Then a quick walk to clear my head and ready for the next day. If I’m off then its gym in the morning and then usually something crops up to keep me busy. 15

AIT Inspire

Bound for glory

The AIT International Arena Grand Prix The International Grand Prix is regarded as a major Irish sporting success and has quickly established itself as one of the pre-eminent events in the Irish sporting calendar. Sell-out crowds have become accustomed to watching world champions and world class athletes like Ashton Eaton, Carmelita Jeter and Pavel Maslak break records on Irish soil. This boutique, invitational event is entering its fourth year and its attractiveness is a combination of its timing within the indoor athletics season, the speed of the track and the unique Irish hospitality and atmosphere experienced by the athletes. Look out for tickets and information on the 2018 Grand Prix at www.aitsport.ie.

AIT Inspire

TV Viewers

50,000

FOX Sports Europe & Africa

91,000 TG4 & Eir Sports

9,000 Online streams

AIT Inspire

Regional Skills

Robotic and Drives Services Gets AIT Robotics Ready It’s the next evolution in the world of work, and a topic everybody is talking about. Robotics and automation will change our work lives in the not-so-distant future and AIT knew it would be important to develop its existing offering in industrial automation and PLC programming. AIT Director, Materials Research Institute, Declan Devine maintains; “It is so important to involve industry in the development of modules, courses and degrees at AIT. This means that our graduates have the latest skills and can hit the ground running as they are industry-ready upon graduation”. This is where Robotic and Drives Services (RDS), a national leader in robotics and automation innovation, and proudly based in Mullingar came in. RDS provides automation solutions to many of the global blue-chip companies operating across Ireland and has recently developed innovative solutions which will be rolled out in America, Japan and beyond! RDS and AIT have now formed closer ties and will help each other benefit through blending approaches from industry and academia to foster innovation. “With the development of deeper ties with AIT, the midlands region can benefit by up-skilling with the latest in new technological skills, specifically aligned to the new automation revolution which will change the way we work” said RDS Innovation Manager, Maébh Coleman. Both RDS and AIT are formal partners and founder members of the Irish Centre of Excellence in Robotics Technology which aims to help Irish companies take up automation technologies faster and to prepare for the future of work through skills development. Midlands Regional Skills Manager, Lorraine Danaher has stated; “the formal collaboration of the midlands only HEI and one of its most prominent home-grown firms is a huge development for the region and will create much needed focus on the area of robotics over the longer term”. For further information on what is going on in the midlands email icertcontact@ gmail.com. 18

AIT Inspire

National Life Science Career Opportunities Biopharma, Medtech Engineering Fair.

Sustained growth in Life Sciences jobs requires strategic skills-pool collaboration. For the past two years, Biopharma and Medtech companies displayed a variety of exciting career and placement opportunities in the sectors at the National Life Science Careers Opportunities Fair held in AIT in September. The careers event runs in conjunction with the Midlands Regional Skills Manager Lorraine Danaher and Department of Social Protection as part of National Jobs Week, an annual initiative hosted by the Department of Social Protection to showcase the range of employment supports and services available to employers and jobseekers. Biopharma Sector The Biopharma sector has been a major driver of export growth, with the latest figures at €55 billion accounting for 58% of Irish goods. Over €4 billion worth of capital investment been invested in the sector, resulting in the employment growth of at least 20% which will add more than 8,400 new jobs to the 26,000 people already directly employed by the BioPharmaChem industry and will generate a similar number of additional jobs across a wide range of support functions. People working in the BioPharmaChem sector are employed in a range of activities covering a variety of skills from research and development to high end manufacturing and come from diverse backgrounds such as engineering, chemistry, physics, biotechnology and pharmacy. As well as the growing career opportunities, the BioPharmaChem industry offers a great opportunity to participate in bringing life changing medicines to market. Medtech Sector Graduates who want to drive innovation and improve lives should pick Medtech careers. Ireland is already the second largest employer of Medtech professionals in Europe, per capita, and saw 6,000 jobs added since last year. With 9 of the top 10 Medtech companies having a base here and dynamic indigenous companies investment across the country is driving even more job creation with 4,000 jobs to be added by 2020, with opportunities in areas such as connected health, R&D, quality and regulatory affairs, engineering, polymer technology, marketing and sales. With Medtech businesses right across Ireland, Medtech is a gateway to international careers in one of the world’s leading Medtech hubs. 19

AIT Inspire

Accounting – solid career with great opportunities By Trevor Prendergast, Head of Department of Accounting and Business Computing.

Athlone Institute of Technology has been long renowned for its accounting graduates. A combination of industryexperienced lecturers, robust teaching methods with a focus on exemptions and strong industry links have ensured that graduates have excelled locally, nationally and internationally. As the Head of Department, I regularly receive calls from companies, ranging from small local practices to the Big 4, looking for graduates. I recently took the opportunity to speak with Oisín Molloy, Student Recruitment & Marketing with EY and Karen Buckley Head of HR in RBK to talk about graduate recruitment. From what programmes at AIT would you hire graduates? In EY, we would hire for the five key areas of Assurance, Tax, Transactions, Advisory and Data Analytics. While the majority of applicants are from a business and accounting background, Advisory are particularly interested in graduates from a broad range of areas, from science and engineering students to psychology and law. For Data Analytics, we would typically hire science, engineering and mathematics graduates. What does EY look for in a graduate? The company is looking particularly for graduates who will stay longer than the three years and are interested in progression. Graduates with a knowledge of and intentions to do the professional qualifications are of particular interest, as these would be required for a number of roles. In terms of soft skills, given the range of projects a graduate could be working on, time management is very important. EY would always encourage initiative taking, so graduates who are proactive in putting themselves out there would tend to progress well. The company also values leadership, and a graduate would need to be able to demonstrate where he or 20

she has worked in teams, either from an academic or personal perspective. What advice would you give to upcoming and recent graduates? Managers and Directors in EY regularly publish and promote articles of relevance on LinkedIn, which is a great way to get a feel for what is happening in the market and what EY is doing in these markets. When applying, graduates should be very aware of the two divisions within the company and contents of the website, in particular how EY is different from the other Big 4 companies. Hiring managers love to hear applicants say “I would like to join one of the FS Assurance or UKI Assurance” which demonstrates both an interest in, and knowledge of, the company. EY is a very technology-focussed company, so ensure skills in this area are developed. Can you summarise the recruitment process? The first step is to apply online. Following that, if an applicant is deemed suitable, there is only one interview, lasting between 45 and 60 minutes. If the applicant is applying to Advisory, there would be a case-study to pre-read. EY is particularly keen to revert back to applicants with the outcome of the interview very shortly after the interview.

What advice would you give to upcoming and recent graduates? Work hard while you have the chance, and take any opportunity that comes your way. What gets you going in the morning? Definitely a good strong coffee. What do you like about your job? The thing I like most about my job is that you get the opportunity to work with many different companies, so you’re constantly learning about different industries and how they’re run. Basically it’s never boring. Suiting up every day is also a bonus. Any tips for getting ahead in your industry? Apply yourself. Gain the knowledge and information that AIT offers and you will be well ahead starting in this industry. What is your industry looking for in a graduate? The industry looks for confident people, with a willing to learn every day. It also looks for people with the ability to work in teams while showing professional behaviour and attitude at all times. Any exciting future plans? Hopefully within the next 3 years become a qualified Chartered accountant and use this to travel.

Ryan O’Meara graduated from AIT in 2017 from the BA in Accounting and is now working in EY. I asked him a couple of questions about his journey so far.

What hobbies do you have? I play a lot of sports, hurling, tennis but mainly rugby with Athlone side, Buccaneers. I also have a huge interest in the gym.

What’s Your most memorable experience of AIT? Winning the 2015 Senior All Ireland rugby final.

What is a typical day for you? Every day is different, one day you could be at the desk researching a company and another you could go to the company and perform multiple audit tests.

What did your course teach you? The course gave me both the knowledge and confidence to prepare me for the working world.

AIT Inspire

Karen Buckley, Director of Human Resources at RBK, talks about her companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s links to AIT

For almost 60 years, Russell Brennan Keane (RBK) has provided accounting, audit and taxation services to domestic and overseas businesses in Ireland. Established in 1958, RBK has grown from a relatively small, regional practice to a nationwide, indigenous firm with a sophisticated skills and services profile. The company is Irelandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest independently branded accountancy firm and are proud of their family business roots. Karen Buckley, Director of Human Resources at RBK shares some of her thoughts on the relationship the company has with AIT. From what programme(s) would RBK typically hire Graduates? We welcome applicants from all disciplines. The majority of our AIT graduates have completed the Masters in Accounting, BA in Accounting and Bachelor of Business which are all excellent programs. We also have graduates with engineering and science backgrounds for example and they too bring a diverse range of skills to the work environment, having a positive impact overall. What does RBK look for in a graduate? Graduates with energy, ambition and a drive to succeed who are hardworking, self-motivated with a clear entrepreneurial spirit for business and a solid interest in accounting. In our experience from our strong association with AIT through the years, the Business, Accounting faculties are excellent at linking up with Firms like ourselves to gain an understanding of our requirements so as they ensure graduates are prepared technically and a practical level for the work environment. The lecturers take a particular interest to ensure their graduates are given every opportunity, which is great to see and a credit to the AIT.

What advice would you give to upcoming and recent graduates? Our aim is to nurture our graduates to bring out their best talent and help them become highly successful accountants and business professionals. A standard training contract is three and a half years and throughout that period, graduates are provided with an opportunity to develop their skills in an open friendly and supportive environment. During that journey, in our experience, graduates who are most successful display key competencies and abilities such as their openness to learn, their appetite to work hard and interest in the work itself, their ability to work with people, their receptiveness and openness to feedback in order to continue to develop. These are all key to graduates achieving success in their training. Can you summarise the RBK recruitment process? Graduates apply online via our website and successful applicants are called for an interview where they will meet a Partner and other members of our teams. We are interested in the graduates academic background and experience, but recognise the value of meeting face to face, interacting with our graduates and getting to know their personality and interests at interview and for the graduate to also get to know us too! Would preference be given to students with an MA as opposed to a BA? The AITâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Business and Accounting Degree and Masters programs are exceptional and we find students from all of these programs join us with a high level of technical skill and ability. We also recruit from the Masters of Accounting program which is an exceptional and a highly sought after program. Students choosing the Masters program would have fewer professional exams to complete during their training contracts allowing them more time to focus on their training which is of course an attractive option for Firms but a distinct advantage to the student overall.

AIT offers an optional placement year (making a 3 year programme a 4 year programme). What are your thoughts on this option? I think the internship year is hugely beneficial. It gives students a great advantage and head start on their journey to becoming professionally qualified. Before internships are complete, we meet our interns and provide the option for them to take up their training contracts with us once they are have completed their degree program. This has been very successful for us as a Firm and for the student. Have you any tips for getting ahead in your industry? Having a good aptitude for business and the ability to work and relate well with people is key. Being ambitious and having the confidence, capability and drive to go that extra mile to succeed. A career in accounting is a pathway to an exciting and fulfilling career, with very strong job prospects. At the Department of Accounting and Business Computing at AIT, we have a range of options to suit your career goals, from our 3-year Level 8 BA in Accounting, to the optional fourth year with work placement, to our 1-year, Level 8, Masters in Accounting, all of which have the important professional body exemptions.

AIT Inspire

Next steps

Annual Careers and Further Study Fair, 11th October 2017 Over 50 exhibitors took part in the AIT Careers & Further Studies Fair which took place in the International Arena and was hosted by the AIT Careers Service. In addition to Careers Bootcamps, employer presentations and one to one careers and further study coaching for undergraduates and graduate alumni, our Careers Service enjoys a significant national profile in the sector. Careers Officer Denise Dolan, herself an AIT graduate, is frequently asked to showcase new initiatives and present to colleagues at national conferences. We were delighted to welcome back a significant number of AIT graduates who attended the AIT Careers Fair this year; the shoe was firmly on the other foot as they are now representing their employers who were actively recruiting the next crop of graduates on the day!

AIT Inspire

We caught up with a few AIT graduatese on the day who shared their experiences since graduating.

“

A word from our graduates

David completed a part time business degree through the AIT Dept. Of Life Long Learning while in the Defence Forces. His degree was instrumental in helping him secure a place on the Lidl area manager training programme, after which he went on to work in a local hotel before taking up his recent role in recruitment for Collins McNicholas. David intends to return to AIT in the near future to top up his qualifications with a part-time course in HR. When asked what lessons he has learned along the way and what advice he would give to graduates, he said; “No matter where you go you will learn something new, you can still work and get a great education at the same time.” Adding that, “I have the height of praise for AIT and would recommend coming here to any prospective student”.

David Lennon, Collins McNicholas

Cathal completed a degree in software engineering at AIT in 2001 and went on to complete a Masters by research in 2003. When asked what he remembered of his time in AIT he commented; “I remember how open and friendly it was. I made some great friends and really enjoyed my time here”. In particular he praised his lecturers saying how he got his start with a lecturer who employed him in a start up company immediately after graduating. Cathal feels there are great opportunities for software engineering graduates in Ireland citing an international colleague who claimed that Ireland is a ‘paradise for software engineering!’.

Cathal Mc Guinness, Met Life Debra completed an honours degree in Business Studies at AIT in 2012 after moving from engineering, which wasn’t a good fit for her. She wasn’t quite sure if business was for her at first, however she quickly discovered a passion for accounting. She had some great advice for students at the beginning of their courses who may be unsettled; “Take it step by step and don’t get bogged down if there are one or two aspects of your course that you don’t like. Focus on the areas which interest you most and you can always branch out and concentrate on these areas in your future career.”

Debra Bracken, Grant Thornton

AIT Inspire

Students Eimear Boyle, Ciara Ryan, Leah Curran Brown, Laura Devaney, and Bryanna Thornton pictured here thoroughly enjoyed their conversations with our graduates Caitlin Fitzgerald and Gillian Murray who both graduated in 2016. Our students also spoke with Catherine Joyce who was in one of the first groups to do the Higher Certificate in Business in Equine at a time when there was no Level 7 course. Catherine later came back having worked in America in the interim and completed a third year 2009 - 2010.

Inspiring women

By Aisling Deverell, Eimear Boyle, Ciara Ryan, Leah Curran Brown, Laura Devaney and Bryanna Thornton

As part of our Inspiring Women series, Equine lecturer Aisling Deverell asked a group of female undergraduates to seek out and speak with former female graduates of their course. The progression of female athletes in the prestigious sport of equestrianism has proven to be pivotal in the success of other women in both equestrianism and the over all equine industry. For example Charlotte Dujardin has become one of the most well known female dressage riders in the world. As a part of our course, Bachelor of Business in Equine, we decided to interview past students who have since graduated from our course to develop an insight into how females in the equine industry from our course can make it in the equine world. 24

A well known past student who we interviewed as part of this assignment was Catherine Joyce. Catherine has played an active role in Gurteen College for years since her graduation from Athlone Institute of Technology in Bachelor of Business in Equine. To pay homage to her success in the equine industry and acknowledge her success we asked her a number of questions about her life since graduation in the search of advice and wisdom for young women like ourselves prepping for the road ahead.

AIT Inspire

Graduate profilesMaking strides in Equine Caitlin Fitzgerald (graduate of Bachelor of Business in Equine 2016) winning a ‘Grooms Class’ in Wellington, Florida, USA.

Catherine Joyce, Class of 2010

Caitlin Fitzgerald, Class of 2016

Gillian Murray, Class of 2016

Q: What is your main role in your career? A: Yard Manager. Q: What made you choose a career working with horses? A: It was more self discovery, we got given a 13.2 pony and it started there. Q: What do you love about your job? A: Educate people on theoretical and physical aspects of horses. Q: On a day to day basis what would you look forward to the most? A: I enjoy exercising my horses the most but again educating. I tutor/lecture equine modules so its great to facilitate the education of students so yeah, education is a close second. Q: What advice would you have for new graduates embarking on a career in horse sport Ireland? A: Firstly, would be to educate yourself as far as you can possibly go and to explore all possibilities given. Q: What parts of your education in AIT help in your career? A: It was to experience all practical elements as well as learn all about the business side, it was really purposeful. Q: As a woman working in this industry, do you have any advice or words of encouragement for other young women considering a career in equine? A: Work as hard and as professionally as you can and if you want it go get it.

Q: What is your main role in your career? A: Show groom. Q: How has the course helped you get to your career stage? A: Massively. I could not get where I got today without all the help from the lecturers here. I developed a lot of contacts here; I wasn’t from a horsey background before I came here. Everything I did here really structured me. I got managing and veterinary experience. I wouldn’t be here today without AIT. Q: On a day to day basis what would you look forward to the most? A: Educating people on theoretical and physical aspects of horses. Q: Would you find that where you were working was mostly male dominated or was it a mix? A: Difficult one. America is dominated by males but they do not speak English, they’re all Latin Americans. A lot of the grooms are girls. Surprisingly there’s a good mix. Q: What advice would you give someone freshly graduated from doing this course? A: It would depend what they would want to do. If they want to be a rider they would have to be a groom. You need to start from the bottom before getting to the top. Q: What is your plan for the future? A: I am going to look more into the business side of this course. I’m going to work for CWD which is a saddle company based in France and start working with them as a saddle fitting expert.

Q: What is your job title? A: I work in Horse Sport Ireland. Q: What do you love about your job? A: I like that I’m not working inside and that I have the opportunity to work outside and not just in the office. Q: Why did you choose to have a career with horses? A: I was working with horses all my life and I love horses. Q: What way did the course help your career path? A: The reproduction aspect as I was working in Kildangan Stud previously and with sale consigners before I came to the office. Q: As a woman working in the equine industry do you feel it is male dominated? A: Absolutely yes! Q: What are your plans for the future? A: I plan to go to America to Lanes End Farm.

AIT Inspire

Name: Rebecca Mc Grath Course: Health Science with Nutrition Graduated: 2017

Q: Where are you working? A: Medical Research Council Elsie Widdowson Laboratory, Cambridge. Q: Your most memorable experience of AIT? A: It would definitely have to be my graduation day which I got to share with my friends who I had spent the past four years with. It was a special moment knowing that I had achieved my childhood dream of studying nutrition. Q: What did your course teach you? A: “Don’t believe everything you read in the headlines.” Nutrition is a field that is constantly changing and ever-expanding. New findings are published daily and current health trends change quicker than Kim Kardashian’s hair! Q: What advice would you give to upcoming and recent graduates? A: Put in the work from the start and try your best. I definitely think a good balance of studying and socialising is key. Q: What gets you going in the morning? A: Listening to a good playlist on Spotify while getting ready definitely sets me up for the day and puts me in a good mood. A nice cup of coffee is also essential! I also love the fact that the research I am contributing towards is helping to improve the life of others and those of the future. That is definitely a big drive for me. Q: What do you like about your job? A: I love how no two days are the same and there is always a mixture of work to be done. The fact that I get to interact with participants is really enjoyable as I would definitely consider myself a people’s person and a chatterbox!! 26

Q: Tips for getting ahead in your industry? A: Don’t be afraid to move out of your comfort zone and look for work further afield. I honestly never thought I would leave Ireland after I graduated, however it’s the best thing that could have happened to me. Also don’t be fooled and think that once you graduate that that’s the hard part done and a job is going to automatically land on your front door! Get involved in any type of work related to the field whether it’s paid or voluntary. It will definitely help you stand out to future employers. Q: What is your industry looking for in a graduate? A: I think someone who is passionate, with some sort of experience and a willingness to learn. I think it is important for all upcoming graduates to remember that they may not always have the desired skills stated on a job spec. However, if you have a keen interest in the role and want to learn then employers will see this. Q: Any exciting future plans? A: I would definitely love to move into the field of sports nutrition. Being the nutritionist for the Irish Rugby team would definitely be my dream job! Q: Any Hobbies/Interests? A: Going to the gym, cooking, reading, socialising over a glass of wine or G&T (Cambridge has a lot to offer!!), rowing. Q: What does a typical day look like for you? A: I normally wake up at 7:00 am, get dressed, cycle to work and am sitting at my desk for 8:30 am. Firstly, I respond to any emails over a cup of coffee. I will greet my participants who are part of the Hertfordshire Cohort Study who are between the ages of 80-85 years old. I will carry out bone mineral density scans using the advanced technology of the I DXA, HRpQCT and pQCT machines. In addition I will go through a dietary and lifestyle questionnaire along with carrying out some functional tests. I will then grade and analyse all scans and input the data to a spreadsheet using excel. I will normally leave work at 5:30pm and cycle to the gym on my way home. When I come home from work I like to prepare a fresh meal and chill for the evening watching Netflix.

Name: Edel Larkin Course: Sports Management and Tourism Graduated: 2012

Q: Where are you working? A: Running my own gym (Unique Health and Fitness in Monksland) with my business partner Darin Claasen. Q: Your most memorable experience of AIT? A: The people - students and staff created and very welcoming environment. Classes were small so it was easy to get to know people. Q: What did your course teach you? A: It gave me a great foundation going into the fitness industry because it covered both the practical and business elements of the industry. The business skills gave me the confidence to apply for a management role and ultimately start my own business. Q: What advice would you give to upcoming and recent graduates? A: Do as many courses as possible while in college. Be flexible and willing to work in different areas of the industry to get experience. Keep in touch with lecturers and anyone else you know working in the industry - you never know when you might need their help or advice! Q: What gets you going in the morning? A: Coffee, lots of strong coffee! Q: What do you like about your job? A: I work with a great team of people and really enjoy my job. It’s very rewarding to see clients become fitter, stronger and more confident through training. Q: Any exciting future plans? A: Improve and grow our current business.

AIT Inspire

Graduate Snapshots

Name: Aaron McKeown Course: Analytical Chemistry M.Sc. by Research Graduated: 2014

Name: Amy Farrell Course: Culinary Traineeship Graduating: 2017

Name: Marian Kennedy Course: Business Studies in Sport Management Graduated: 2008

Q: Where are you working? A:Marine Institute, Rinville. Q: Your most memorable experience of AIT? A: Having the opportunity to improve my analytical chemistry skills. Q: What did your course teach you? A: The application of time management in a laboratory setting, and the importance of perseverance. Q: What advice would you give to upcoming and recent graduates? A: Keep your LinkedIn profile up to date and don’t shy away from contract roles. Q: What gets you going in the morning? A: Taking my dogs for their morning walk. Q: What do you like about your job? A: The varied nature of my work and the occasional opportunity for research. Q: Tips for getting ahead in your industry? A: Be sensible with your project timelines and deliverables – don’t overpromise. Q: Any exciting future plans? A: Improving and Developing new analytical methods for the Environmental Chemistry sector.

Q: Where are you working? A: For the past two years I’ve been working in Mac Nean House and restaurant, in Blacklion Co.Cavan. Q: Your most memorable experience of AIT? A: I have so many highlights from my time spent in AIT but I think for me the most memorable experience would have to be winning gold medal at the RDS in February 2017 at Catex. Q: What did your course teach you? A: The course teaches you skills suitable to the industry and for personal growth. The Lecturers are all so helpful and are there for your best interests. They want us to succeed. Q: What advice would you give to upcoming and recent graduates? A: Never give up on your dreams and do what makes you happy. Q: What gets you going in the morning? A: I simply love my job, the people I work with and the challenges everyday brings. Q: What do you like about your job? A: It would have to be the support that is given not just by the management but all the staff. We’re a close working group in a small area and to show respect and support will get you far wherever you go. Q: Tips for getting ahead in your industry? A: Never stop learning. Keep up skilling yourself and always be willing to learn. Q: Any exciting future plans? A: I’m so happy where I am now and don’t have any plans to move on. I can see myself getting into the cake decorating side of pastry I think.

Q: Where are you working? A: Leisure Centre Manager, Coral Leisure. Q: Your most memorable experience of AIT? A: The lifelong friends I have made. Q: What did your course teach you? A: Gave me an understanding of the hospitality industry. Q: What advice would you give to upcoming and recent graduates? A: Gain industry experience and make a good impression on work placements! Q: What gets you going in the morning? A: Starting off a day in the gym. Q: What do you like about your job? A: The people, no two days are ever the same. Q: Tips for getting ahead in your industry? A: Qualifications and practical experience, great people skills. Q: What is your industry looking for in a graduate? A: Someone who has qualifications and willing to work to improve their clients experience. Q: Any exciting future plans? A: Graduating from a MSc. in Education and Training Management (eLearning) in October 2017, a year off study! Q: What’s a typical day for you? A: Wake at 6.30am, 7.30am gym, 8.30am ready for work, finish on time on a good day! Spend time with family and friends in the evenings. Catching up for lost time studying over the past 24 months!

Designs for Life

Jazz Pharmaceuticals is an international biopharmaceutical company, focused on improving patients’ lives by identifying, developing, and commercializing meaningful products that address unmet medical needs. We are headquartered in Ireland, with significant operations in the United States, England, Italy and other countries. The company has 1,200 staff globally, with circa 30 based at the Athlone facility and 150 based at the Corporate Headquarters in Dublin. In 2016 Jazz Pharmaceuticals had a revenue of $1.5 billion. Among the founding principles of the company are that patients would always come first and that Jazz Pharmaceuticals would be a great place to work. Our name was inspired by the talented jazz musicians, each a specialist with an individual style, who come together, to make music in concert. Each talented team member, working in collaborative and creative teams, contributes to a common goal: to improve patient’s lives. Jazz Pharmaceuticals has a diverse portfolio of products and product candidates, with a focus in the areas of sleep and hematology/oncology. Often there may be no approved treatment options, other than the Jazz Pharmaceuticals product. Typically, these are for relatively small patient populations. The company’s differentiating competitive strength lies in the ability to identify products that address unmet medical needs, then acquire them and bring them through the process of regulatory approval, making them available to patients. Often the products are difficult to manufacture or have complex supply chains. The Athlone site is a fully integrated manufacturing site, including laboratories, packaging and warehousing, along with the usual support functions like quality assurance and materials and engineering and management. In Athlone we manufacture a product, used in the treatment of narcolepsy, and we support activities for our clinical development portfolio.

By Alan McNiece

Our Athlone start-up has been recognised as one of the best executed pharmaceutical projects in the world evidenced by a significant international award. We are ambitious for what we can achieve for our patients, constantly striving for the highest standards and best outcomes, while also believing we should enjoy our work environment and support each other and support our community. Because our product technologies are so varied we place a great emphasis on recruiting “life-long learners” who are open to learning about new technologies and becoming adept with them. When recruiting we seek people who have gained extra qualifications during their career. This is proof to us of their desire to develop and learn throughout life and that they will be adaptable in the face of changing technologies and products. As a company we encourage continuing development of staff, through on the job challenges and supported further education. Having AIT close at hand for staff to continue their education is important to us and much valued. One of the reasons we located in Athlone was because of the access it gave us to a great talent pool. That talent pool includes the flow of new graduates from AIT. Many of our staff studied in AIT, some as full-time undergraduates and some as mature students who gained new qualifications while working in industry by day. We are very proud of the calibre of the people who have joined us from AIT. Courses that are relevant to employment in Jazz Pharmaceuticals Athlone include: Microbiology, Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Toxicology, Bioscience, Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Operations and Lean Management. In our Dublin Headquarters these same courses are relevant to our Technical Development teams. We also have Supply Chain, Quality, Finance, Legal, Corporate Development and HR roles in the Dublin offices for which other AIT courses are relevant.

“Having AIT close at hand for staff to continue their education is important to us and much valued”

AIT Inspire

Graduate Profile

Life at Jazz Name: Barbara Cooper Course: PhD Toxicology, Honours Degree in Toxicology & Ordinary Degree in Toxicology Graduation Year: 2016 Where are you working? Jazz Pharmaceuticals Your most memorable experience of AIT? The support I received from my lecturers when I found things difficult. I actually had great support from the entire Science Department throughout my stay in AIT, can’t thank them enough! What your course taught you? That working hard produces results. It might sound like a cliché but you really do get back what you put in. What advise would you give to upcoming and recent graduates? Don’t be disheartened by knock backs, no matter how they come. Keep striving for what you want in life and it will happen. What gets you going in the morning? My job! I really enjoy the type of work I am involved in. I get to interact with so many people and work on different projects. Jazz Pharmaceuticals is so focussed on the patients we help with our products, so it’s great to be part of that environment. What do you like about your job? The atmosphere and the people. Everyone is so driven to do the best they can for the patients. Tips for getting ahead in your industry? Be open to new ideas, expand your experience as much as you can and get involved in with what interests you most. What is your industry looking for in a graduate? Very promising. The pharmaceutical industry is always expanding and has so many different areas, so science graduates are bound to find a job that really interests them. Future plans? Expand my expertise and apply them to Jazz’s goal of improving patients’ lives by identifying, developing, and commercialising meaningful products that address unmet medical needs. Hobbies you have? TriAthlone! Jazz Pharmaceuticals is very active in the local triathlon and this year I participated in the relay race. We won some prizes, had great craic and raised some money for charity. What is a typical day for you? My days are usually a mixture of analytical testing, toxicological research, mentoring colleagues and supporting other departments within the company. 29

AIT Inspire

You are what you eat . . . Dr. Trish Heavey

Studying nutrition involves understanding the factors that influence the food we eat, what nutrients that food contains, what happens to those nutrients in the body and the effect of the diet on health and disease. What we eat and what we choose to eat can affect how our body works, how well we perform, our mental wellbeing as well as being an important part of social interactions. Working in nutrition also opens up a wide range of career opportunities. Dr. Trish Heavey (pictured above) is a lecturer and course coordinator on the BSc Health Science and Nutrition degree in Athlone Institute of Technology. Dr. Heavey completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Ulster, where she also obtained her PhD investigating the gut health of breast fed and formula fed infants. She then went on to spend four years working as a researcher, investigating the effects of functional foods on human health. Trish continued to work with various universities and as a consultant nutritionist to a variety of food companies providing nutrition and PR support and advice.

Rebecca McGrath, BSc Health Science and Nutrition graduate

This involved working with health professionals, lecturing and presenting talks to the scientific community and consumers, dissemination of healthy eating messages through the media (newspapers, television and radio interviews) and compiling nutrition booklets, guides and leaflets. She was very keen to bring this knowledge and expertise to AIT students. From the onset, it was very important that students had the necessary knowledge but also the skill required to work in such a diverse area. “We are very keen that students can translate that knowledge into practice so on the course students undertake placements as well as getting involved in different nutrition projects and working with the community to promote nutrition and health messages.”

Gillian O’Brien, BSc Health Science and Nutrition graduate

Students with a nutrition degree can work in a variety of areas. Many students go on to work in health promotion or community nutrition - working to improve nutrition and health knowledge, attitudes, behaviour and health outcomes among individuals, families or small groups. Some students go on to work in nutrition and health research - investigating the links between diet, food and its impact on health and disease. Another career option is to work in the food industry - there are new products constantly developed and Nutritionists can be part of these teams. For example, many nutritionists have worked with other scientists to develop healthier food options, supplements and nutritional aids for athletes. Communications is another interesting areamany companies and organisations have Nutritionists who will talk to the media and the public about healthy eating as well as developing nutrition education tools such as leaflets, books and websites/blogs. If you are interested in working with patients (people with a specific disease/illness) you can go on and train to become a Dietitian. Students who complete a nutrition degree can go on and do postgraduate training to become a Dietitian- this usually takes a further 18-24 months. Our first students graduated in 2016 and many are working in the area of nutrition and health. Rebecca McGrath, pictured on the left) is now working as a Research Assistant in the MRC Nutrition and Bone Health Group (NBH) based at the MRC Elsie Widdowson Laboratory, Cambridge. As part of this team, Rebecca is helping to identify nutrition and lifestyle strategies for the optimisation of bone health, particularly in respect to peak bone mass development and the reduction of osteoporosis and rickets risk, within the wider context of human nutrient requirements and nutrition policy for developed and developing countries. Other students are going on to get their dietetic qualifications. Gillian O’Brien, pictured below, was one of those students and she is now studying for her postgraduate dietetic qualification in Chester University.

AIT Inspire

2016 Corrib Oil Lady Farmer of the Year By Lisa Geraghty, lecturer in Veterinary Nursing

Irene, like many applicants to the BSc (Ord) Veterinary Nursing programme in AIT, grew up on a farm and decided from a young age that she wanted to dedicate her life to this industry. She comes from a suckling farm in Co. Westmeath and says that she always knew she would work with animals. It is no surprise then to learn that since graduating from the Vet Nursing programme in 2014, she has not only invested in a sheep farm with her father, she has also married a farmer. One need look no further than her 2016 Corrib Oil Lady Farmer of the Year award to understand her dedication and talent. She says that farming compliments another love in her life – veterinary nursing. In addition to the time she spends on the farm, Irene works a full-time job as a veterinary nurse in a mixed practice in Longford.

“My experience in AIT prepared me well for the workplace. It gave me the theoretical and practical experience I needed to succeed” She recalls her time in AIT with great affection. Her entry onto the programme was not direct, as she did not initially achieve the minimum amount of CAO points. She enrolled in a local PLC course to increase her chances of being accepted the following year. It was during this year that her tutors helped her to discover that, unknowingly, she had dyslexia. While it was the first time in her life that anyone had suggested that she might have a specific learning difficulty, it did not come as a complete shock to Irene, as she always felt that there was a discrepancy between her practical ability and her written work. From when she was accepted onto the Vet Nursing programme she was determined not to let her dyslexia hold her back. Rather than deter her, she was determined to succeed in this industry. Irene not only succeeded, she excelled. She says that the staff, her student colleagues, the Students’ Union, and the Disability and Learning Support Service within the Institute were there for her at every turn. It is this support that she received during the three years of her degree that she remembers with particular fondness and gratitude. The greatest endorsement of Irene’s hard work during her college years was when, in the final year of her studies, she was awarded Student Veterinary Nurse of the Year by the Irish Veterinary Nurse’s

Association (IVNA). This award, given to her by her peers, was confirmation for her that the extra effort she had put into working with her disability had paid off. She was nominated for the award by one of her lecturers in association with the veterinary clinic in which she had spent one of her college placements. Irene says that this gave her great hope for a future in her chosen career and filled her with confidence that anything was possible if you want it enough and work hard enough at it. Irene is currently working as a registered veterinary nurse in a large mixed veterinary practice in Longford. She is responsible for the day-to-day nursing duties of the hospital including surgical nursing of patients who are admitted for treatments, running diagnostic tests and x-ray, offering advice to pet owners and administering medication and fluid therapy to hospitalised animals. She also manages the administrative part of the farm animal business and offers advice on routine husbandry issues to farmers. She says that no two days are the same, and as a veterinary nurse you need to be trained and ready to deal with all types of animals under a variety of conditions, as well as providing a professional, sympathetic service to animal owners. Her immediate plans are to stay in veterinary practice and farm alongside it. It is clear that she loves what she does. She believes that AIT prepared her well for her future and her immediate plans are to stay in the veterinary industry. She is quite proud of the education she received in the Institute. In her own words “My experience in AIT prepared me well for the workplace. It gave me the theoretical and practical experience I needed to succeed”. She acknowledges all the veterinary practices around the country who facilitate the Institute in providing the service to such a high standard. She highly recommends AIT as a Veterinary Nurse Training College, not only for the high standard of academic and practical training which students receive here, but for the extra bit – the genuine care taken of each individual student, no matter what their requirements are. 31

AIT Inspire

Connect & Discover

Connect with AIT Graduate Alumni

Connect & Discover

Connect with AIT Graduate Alumni

in 32