The panel included recent graduates from a wide variety of backgrounds including an InTouch Feed Specialist from Alltech, Cathal Cassidy, an Agronomist from Glanbia, Jayne Symth, a Farm Recorder with the National Farms Survey, John McConnon and an Operations Manager with Kiernan Pig Farms, John Duffy.

DkIT lecturer and Agriculture programme director, Dr Siobhan Jordan led the organisation of the careers discussion. Speaking at the event, she said,

“We wanted to showcase the breadth of opportunities available to our agriculture students and there was no better way to do this than provide an opportunity to speak to some of our highly successful graduates. It was fantastic to see how students engaged with their alumni peers and had open discussions about challenges faced by graduates today. The event helped many of our students recognise new and emerging careers within agriculture and gave them important motivation as they near the end of their academic career.”

John Duffy, an Operations Manager with Kiernan Pig Farms, added,

“It was a pleasure to come back to DkIT and speak to students about my own experience in progressing from undergraduate DkIT, first of all to the MSc in Agricultural Biotechnology and then to my career in Kiernan Pig Farms. It’s important that students have the opportunity to hear about the realities of the workplace and also to learn about the many options available to them. Agriculture and Agri-food is a hugely significant sector in Ireland with a multitude of career pathways. This can be overwhelming for students and research is key. I hope the event helped students prepare for their future and encouraged them to start planning now because graduation comes and goes in a flash.”

The Agri-careers event is available to watch on demand by clicking here and entering the password:Ev&Bqvp1

Visit the DkIT website for more information about the BSc (Hons) in Agriculture.