Testimonials

INDIA & IRELAND: A SNEAK PEEK

The shades of orange, green and white only mark the beginning of the commonalities shared between India and Ireland. Political figures like V.V Giri, the fourth President of India, and the current Irish Prime Minister, Mr. Leo Varadkar, form the thread which brings these nations closer. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Ireland in 2015, only the second one after Jawaharlal Nehru, which saw a further increase in trade and dialogue.

DID YOU KNOW? • India’s 4th President VV Giri studied law at

University College Dublin. • Mahatma Gandhi’s first teacher was an

Irishman due to which he initially spoke English with an Irish accent. Margaret Cousins, an Indo-Irish poet based in India during the second World War, helped create the tune of the Indian national anthem. The father of Ireland’s current Prime Minister, (Taoiseach) Leo Varadkar, was born in India. In St. Stephens Green, an iconic Dublin park, lies a bust of Rabindranath Tagore. The Irish cricket team comprises of Simi Singh, a Punjab-born off-spinner in their 14-member squad who played for the twomatch Twenty20 International series against India. Pallonji Shapoorji Mistry is an Indian-born Irish construction tycoon and chairman of Shapoorji Pallonji Group, is one of the richest men in both countries.

DR DOUGLAS PROCTOR DIRECTOR OF UCD GLOBAL AT UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DUBLIN

As Ireland’s Global University, University College Dublin is delighted to welcome a growing number of Indian students to its Dublin campuses each year. These students come from around India, and make an important contribution to UCD through their studies and their involvement in the broader life of the university, including the Indian Student Society.

Following their studies, a growing number of UCD’s Indian graduates are looking for opportunities to gain work experience in Ireland, and the UCD Careers Network and UCD Global work closely together to support this aspiration.

This brochure is designed to give you some further information about the career pathways of UCD graduates from India. We hope that it provides you with some valuable insights into where a UCD degree might take you.

WHY UCD?

UCD HAS ONE of the largest urban campuses in Europe, and contains not only the buildings in which students live and study, but also gorgeous parkland teeming with wildlife, art and fabulous facilities.

UCD campus

7km (4 miles)

Dublin city centre

Ranked in the top 1% of higher education institutes worldwide, students love our flexible curriculum, and our research-intensive academic staff comprises leading national and international opinion leaders and influencers.

THE CAMPUS

The UCD Campus has to be experienced to be believed. Our facilities include vaults of historical records, the biggest animal hospital in Ireland, world-class teaching and research facilities, excellent accommodation, a huge sports centre with Olympic-size swimming pool, and interactive laboratories, some of which are unique to UCD. With such a large campus, we have the ability to house an incredible breadth of amenities (such as the UNESCO-recognised National Folklore Collection), all of which make the UCD experience second to none. supportive environment. Over one quarter of our student population is from outside Ireland and the EU, and over one third of our academic staff is from outside Ireland. This ensures that the experience of all students at UCD is truly global, and encompasses a multitude of attitudes, formed from different life and learning experiences. A multitude of clubs and societies make it easy for students to meet each other, and get involved in activities that not only mean a lot to them, but that also offer invaluable life experience. Students on the main Belfield campus Other EU students

THE PEOPLE

At UCD, our faculty and staff are focused on ensuring that all students have the best experience and receive the best education possible in an exciting, dynamic and

Students from outside the EU

Irish students

UCD CAREERS NETWORK

UCD Careers Network is comprised of a professional team of Career & Skills Consultants who are focused on helping students make decisions about their future careers, develop skills that will enable them to succeed in work or graduate study and to be successful when making job applications. Every year we organise recruitment fairs and employer presentations on both the Belfield and Smurfit campus’.

Here are some quick tips to securing employment in Ireland/general career advice:

Chose a career/job that you are interested in/passionate about but do your research to ensure that it is a skill that is in demand in the job market. Decide what your career goals are, what your work values are and are they in line with your interests and personality type. Remember it’s okay to test out an area by doing an internship before committing to a permanent role.

Be self-aware of your strengths/skills and be able to articulate them in an interview. Engage with employers at fairs and talks - go prepared and ask relevant questions. Use LinkedIn to search for opportunities, be found by recruiters and search for UCD Alumni to see where they are working now to give you an idea of job titles. Be proactive by attending networking events and building up your contacts. Refine the skills needed by employers by attending a skills workshop by the UCD Careers Network Centre. Maintain good academic grades. Highlight both your technical and soft skills on your CV and give relevant examples. Get your CV checked by a Career & Skills Consultant and prepare properly for interviews including how to answer competency based questions effectively.

TESTIMONIALS

Shruti Mani MSc Biotechnology 2016-2017

How has your experience been so far of Ireland & UCD?

The experience in Ireland and UCD has been amazing. The people that I have come across are kind and helpful.

Can you describe your current role?

I work as a Medical device test engineer at Becton Dickinson Company, Limerick.

Was there anything specific that you feel helped you to secure this role?

There was immense help in building my presentation skills from my professor Dr. Cormac Murphy who guided me at every step.

Can you describe the work culture in Ireland?

People are extremely helpful and kind. The work culture is the same. It is very accepting and accommodating.

What advice would you give an international student in Ireland to help set them up for career success?

My only advice would be to keep pursuing for job even if there are some failures in the beginning. Make the best of UCD and the teachers, they are supportive, and they are always ready to help, provided we work hard enough to gain knowledge.

Vicky Dalwani ME in Mechanical Engineering, 2016-2018

University College Dublin is one of the best decisions of my life. Pursuing the ME programme in Mechanical Engineering with VV Giri Scholarship was a blessing.

The best thing about UCD is that it encourages students to participate in so many extra- curricular activities along with your education. It helps us in socializing, making new friends and experiencing different cultures from different places around the world.

An internship of 6-8 months was a part of my 2-year ME programme. I got an opportunity to work with Glen Dimplex Research & Development for 8 months which gave me an insight of different aspects of Mechanical Engineering.

Utkarsh Agarwal MSc Strategic Management & Planning 2014 – 2015

Studying at UCD Smurfit Graduate Business School and working and living in Ireland for three years gave me the skills, exposure and knowledge required to succeed in today’s business world.

Tips to current international students at UCD:

• Move out of your comfort zone and take part in various social activities on and off the campus. • Networking is the key to success and getting a right job after college. • Do not restrict yourself to studies and assignments. • To make the most of your time in UCD join various clubs and societies on campus, attend various events and connect with other international students. This will not only help you have a global mindset but also help you generate many business ideas and make connections in every country. • Explore the beautiful countryside while you are there to study.

Aditya Narayan Mechanical and Materials Engineering 2018-2019

My first interaction with UCD was when I got selected as a research intern among students from my college. I worked with one of the best research teams at UCD under Prof. Donal Finn and his PhD student Mr. Giovanni Tardioli. Those three months gave me an opportunity to live the life that an international student would experience at UCD. I must admit that the facilities, environment of research and support from the institution is extraordinary. Professors and academic staff are some of the best you’ll find around the globe. This can be accounted for the reason I went back to UCD. I was awarded a full scholarship under the banner of the UCD V.V.Giri scholarship, for which I am truly thankful to UCD. After my time at UCD, I can bet UCD is the most global and invigorating place in Ireland.

Dipanka Trika MSc Finance, 2018-2019

I was particularly interested in the MSc in Finance programme in Ireland for several compelling reasons. I was looking to forge ahead in the mainstream of professional life by doing a master’s from Ireland as all of Ireland’s universities are ranked in top 5% globally. The country offers a buzzing, multicultural society where I found the highest of education standards. The Irish education system ranks among the top 20 for its higher education system by the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook in 2014. Ireland’s long-standing reputation for high quality education is built on a solid foundation of commitment to excellence.

Dhanya Raghavan MA in Philosophy and Literature 2017-2018

Why did you decide to study in UCD and how has it shaped your career?

I decided to study in UCD primarily because the course structure was incredible. I wanted to experience what it is like to study in a global village. The environment was very multicultural and so was the course structure. I was awarded the MA Newman Scholarship that covered my tuition fees for the academic year. I want to do a PhD and teach at a university, therefore, my professors helped me a lot with my career interests by enabling me to indulge in very constructive activities like classroom presentations and research papers. The best thing about UCD is that they don’t just aim at preparing students for placements, but also, they prepare you for life as there is so much to take from this university.

How did you stay motivated?

I made many new friends, exercised and practiced meditation. I believe that, when you make your surroundings positive, it will help you becoming a positive person as well and when you have that kind of optimism and self-reliance, you become confident in whatever you do.

Kritibha Rai MSc Actuarial Science 2014-2015

In the summer of 2014, I received an email confirming my admission to the MSc. Actuarial Science programme at University College Dublin. I was thrilled for this once in a lifetime opportunity to pursue a degree in Ireland’s top university with a full scholarship. The course was rigorous, and it molded us to face the real world in the best way possible. Every single module was taught to help us develop key skills that a Trainee Actuary would need, and it was supplemented with ample support through online notes, weekly tutorials and one to one sessions.

During my time at UCD I had many opportunities to meet people from various industries through talks and seminars organized by the university. It was a great way to network with professionals and recruiters. After graduating within a few months, I accepted an offer with Citco Fund Services as a Risk and Valuation specialist and then moved on to work for Allianz Global Life as a Trainee Actuary.

Apart from having a great university life, living in Dublin has been a truly remarkable and transformative experience. I highly recommend UCD and the course for anyone that is interested in having a fulfilling and exciting future.

Aishwarya N Swamy MA International Development 2016-2017

Describe your experience in UCD.

Life-changing! If not for this amazing institution and the generous scholarship, I would have never made it abroad. Academically I have had the honor to be taught by brilliant faculty and the flexibility offered on modules helped make the program interesting and worthwhile. Not to forget the lovely campus, such a joy to just be on campus, especially on warm sunny days. Though it was a tough one year, the kindness and empathy of faculty made it seem easy!

Why did you decide to study in UCD and how has it shaped your career?

I chose UCD because it is definitely one of Ireland’s, even Europe’s more reputed universities. The Masters program was tailor made for my learning needs, and the plus point being investing only one year into studies. And most importantly the full scholarship (UCD Global Excellence V.V. Giri Scholarship).

Ardsheer Ali MSc International Business 2017-2018

I remember that my initial fascination with the Emerald Isle began on a rather unusual note: back in 2012, I stumbled upon the traditional Irish folk music of The Dubliners. This new genre of music prompted me to start reading about Ireland and its history. I decided to study at the UCD Smurfit Graduate School of Business since its ranking not just in Ireland or Europe, but throughout the world was exceptional.

After coming to Dublin, I knew that I wanted to work in Ireland due to its rewarding work culture. Continuous amelioration of my CV with assistance from the UCD Careers Network helped me get through to a few interviews. Thorough preparation for these interviews helped me get a job at IBM. I believe that the challenge really lies in being perseverant and trying to improve oneself. There are a lot of opportunities available when you’re a UCD student, but at the end of the day, it is up to you to exercise these. The modules you study, the projects you do, and internships that can be done are stepping stones towards getting your dream job; in my humble opinion.

Subhabrata Mondal Masters in Digital Innovation 2015-2016

Little did I know, that a visit to the European Higher Education fair in Bangalore in 2014, would lead me to live my dream. I was a software engineer by education and was working with one of the major retail banks in India as an IT Officer. Looking for a change in career, I was contemplating between MBA in a Tier 1 college in India and a masters abroad. I am glad that I chose UCD, which broadened my outlook towards the technology industry and prepared me to take on the challenges associated with managerial roles in the technology world.

The course covered all aspects that a manager in a technology company would face and had a very vast range of topics, starting from the very philosophical Michel Foucault to presenting Start-up Ideas and preparing their business plan! The Entrepreneurship Cell in Smurfit would keep us updated about the various start-up events in the city. It was at one of these events, that I met the cofounders of Think Biosolution where I am working presently.

Akansha Priyadarshani MSc International Marketing Practice 2013-2014

Keen for broadening knowledge, skills and cross cultural experience, I moved on from a successful and rewarding career as a Trade Marketing and Institutional Sales Head at United Spirits to join UCD Michael Smurfit Business School for a UCDBordBia Fellowship.

UCD gave me a fantastic opportunity putting everything in place for me, studying while working and working in F&B sector and to set up a new business in a new market. It opened the world for me by providing the necessary skills and knowledge.

What advice would you give an international student in Ireland to help set them up for career success?

A change in perception has occurred with regards to social, cultural and accommodative attributes of life. For the ones who are not so sure about their future & for those people who still are under the dilemma to make a big career decision, I have advice for you, every new experience is a great experience. The most important thing to remember while studying abroad in Ireland is to make this experience your own. Say yes to everything. You’ve got an incredible opportunity in your hands, so make the most of it.

Anusha De MSc Quantitative Economics 2018-2019 BA Joint Hons Economics and Politics 2015-2018

UCD has been a package of opportunities for me. Not only in academic terms but UCD has played a huge role in my career pathway too. Being a Student Digital Ambassador, a Career Ambassador and a Global Guide gave me innumerable employable skills. UCD Careers Network’s well-advertised opportunities have helped me to obtain internships in Dublin.

The amount of help I have received from UCD Staff members since the start of my course is appreciable. Shifting to a new country to start my university was not at all easy. But, at each step, my doubts were cleared, and I was assisted. The cultural diversity on campus has helped me to adapt to a multicultural environment. The opportunities to work on campus have shaped my skills and career in an effective way. I have also received support from UCD Careers Network in internship applications and interview preparations. I will recommend UCD to other Asian students willing to come to Ireland and study.

Simran Wadhwa MSc Marketing and Retail Innovation 2019-2020

I sincerely believe that the course of Masters in Retail Leadership from University

College Dublin would help me hone the skills and knowledge that I will need to establish my own sound place in the world. I am very excited to learn about all the modules especially, Strategic Retail Leadership as I’ve never studied anything like this before and might come in handy if and when I plan to start my own entrepreneurial venture in the future.

Most importantly, I believe that Ireland will provide an environment with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds and shall help me build perspective not just professionally, but also shape up my outlook and approach towards life.

LIFE AS AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT!

Saransh Agarwal MSc Computer Science (Negotiated Learning) 2014-2015

1. You’ll dearly miss the well-defined 4 seasons Indian weather.

Dublin has a weird weather; I was unable to decode it! 2. Indian food is available at most Asian shops. There are a few good Indian restaurants in Dublin, which are worth a try. I went to Diwali, Pickle and Ananda and they were really good. 3. Dublin is a small city, with good transport connections. If you’re willing to walk/ bike around, its an excellent place. 4. You might feel a bit aloof, due to lack of close knit Indian community here. Since, I studied in university here, I had friends from Indian Society who celebrated major festivals. 5. I’m not religious, but you’ll find places of worship in the city. Although, there aren’t many, you’ll come across a few. 6. Join clubs and societies at college. The ones I joined were the UCD Indian Society, International

Students Society, Computer Science Society, Film Society, Get in Gear. 7. Make some friends who are not Indian. Eat some non-Indian food. Listen to a few non-Indian songs. Learn something from Ireland that India couldn’t teach you. This is how you grow, this is how you learn. 8. Thank the bus driver. Always! 9. Bonus: Learn to pronounce these names, your life will be easier- Aoife, Caoimhe, Saoirse, Róisín,

Bláithín, Niamh, Grainne, Caoimhín, Eoghan, Tadhg, Siobhan.