NCI Blog

Ian Ray grabbed the opportunity to do work placement as part of his business degree at NCI with two hands and discovered the path he wants to follow after college. He looks back on his one-year work placement as a HR Intern with Keelings, sharing two key achievements and what he has learned from this professional experience along with key insights into his studies at NCI.

Making life choices such as where to study and what career to pursue can be challenging. Ian shares plenty of tips and advice below that can help those making CAO decisions for September 2025 discover the right path for them.

Why did you choose to study the BA (Honours) in Business at NCI?

When I first began my search for the right college course while in secondary school, I was quite unsure what career I wanted pursue but I knew that I wanted a course that blended theory with practical experience. The BA (Honours) in Business at NCI caught my attention for several reasons:

• Reputation: NCI has a strong reputation for its focus on employability and offer a multi-award-winning careers team that are so friendly and helpful.
• Diverse Curriculum: The course covers various aspects of business, from marketing to finance, allowing me to keep my career options open.
• Location: Being in the heart of Dublin and located just beside the IFSC, it provides plenty of networking opportunities and is easy to access.
• Option for Work Placement: With this course, there is an option to complete a year-long work placement in third year. I participated in a variety of career classes and events in advance of my placement which included career planning sessions, CV reviews, mock interviews and networking events ensuring I was ready to make the transition into the workplace. 

This programme promised a solid foundation while also allowing me to explore my interests in-depth, adding this course to the top of my CAO list was a no-brainer!

Can you share some insights into studying Business at NCI?

Studying Business at NCI has been a transformative experience. One thing that stood out to me is the interactive learning methods with classes often including group projects and discussions, encouraging collaboration and networking. I have met life-long friends through group work projects, pushing me outside of my comfort zone and allowing me to connect with individuals who I would not be in contact with on a regular basis otherwise.

I also appreciate the supportive environment at NCI where faculty members are approachable and dedicated to student success. The college offers a range of student supports including academic support, financial support, and disability support to name just a few. I also enjoyed the classroom visits from industry professionals who provided real-world insights during guest lectures.

The blend of academic rigour and real-world application prepared me for my work placement.

You completed your work placement at Keelings. Tell us about your experience working there and what you learned.

I recently completed my work placement at Keelings, a leading provider of fresh produce in Ireland. Before joining the role of HR Intern, I thoroughly enjoyed the Introduction to Human Resource Management module in the first year of my course. I was unsure whether I wanted to work in Recruitment, HR, or Learning and Development and fortunately for me, Keelings were kindly able to offer me work experience in all three departments. This opportunity confirmed my decision to work in the HR field and without it, I would be graduating college still unsure of what field to work in. This will save me time in the future and allow me to progress in my desired area sooner.

Key Achievements at Keelings

Two main achievements stand out to me when I reflect on my main contributions to Keelings during my time there. Firstly, founding and creating the Wellbeing Committee. Having worked hard organising events and researching wellbeing in the workplace, my hard work was recognised by my team, and I was permitted to create a wellbeing committee. I felt our HR team was responsible for all things wellbeing and my workload was beginning to increase, making it difficult for me to manage my daily tasks on top of this. I reached out to my colleagues and decided to create a wellbeing committee. This was a massive achievement for me, as it showed me that my hard work had not gone unnoticed. To be trusted and responsible for my very own committee and hold and chair monthly meetings as an intern was truly inspiring to me. As part of the committee, we have already held multiple successful social events and several other initiatives. I look forward to progressing this even further.

"My time as a HR intern at Keelings has been an enriching experience that solidified my interest in human resources"

The second achievement is organising weekly fresh fruit donations to the Ronald McDonald House Charity in Crumlin as part of Keeling’s Company Social Responsibilities. This led to me meeting the Fundraising Manager of the RMHC and resulted in us building a strong relationship. In November 2023, I ran the half marathon and represented the RMHC. I fundraised a significant amount of money, which Keelings kindly matched, allowing us to raise even more much needed funds for the charity. I never thought I could align my values, my hobby, and my work all into one and I was so grateful for the opportunity.

The CEO of Keelings, Caroline Keeling, personally congratulated me on my fundraising success. I am still in disbelief to this day, as I never would have dreamed of, as an Intern, being thanked by the CEO of a company as big as Keelings. This inspired me to want to do more, as I now know I have the support of the company behind me. The Fundraising Manager from the RMHC has since entered me to run the Irish Life Dublin Marathon in October, which I am very excited about. I hope to be even more successful in my fundraising efforts this time.

Role and Responsibilities

As a HR intern, I was involved in various tasks such a supporting recruitment efforts by assisting in screening CVs and scheduling interviews, onboarding new hires and employee engagement activities designed to improve employee satisfaction.

My key learnings from work placement are summarised below:

1. Teamwork: I learned the importance of collaboration in achieving HR objectives.
2. Problem-Solving: Encountering challenges taught me to think critically and adapt quickly.
3. Communication Skills: Effective communication is vital in HR, whether it’s with candidates or employees.

My time at Keelings offered me invaluable insights into the HR field, reinforcing my passion for this profession.

Do you have advice for someone considering their CAO options?

If you’re contemplating your CAO options, make sure to do your research into various colleges and the courses available. Align your interests with your career goals by choosing courses for your CAO list that excite you and match with your future aspirations. Making an informed decision can set a strong foundation for your career.

Visit college open days to attend sample classes, chat to lecturers and students and tour the campus. NCI's CAO Open Day is on Saturday 23rd November - I might even see you there!

Finally, what's next for you and your career?

With my internship experience under my belt, I now know that a career in human resources is right for me. My next steps include:

• Networking: I plan to attend industry events to connect with professionals and now realise how important this is to my career. This will be facilitated by NCI's Careers Team.
• Further Education: I'm considering additional certifications in HR such as a CIPD accredited Masters in Human Resource Management to further enhance my skills.
• Job Applications: Actively applying for HR roles that align with my career goals.

This internship has been a significant stepping stone, and I’m excited about the future!

My time as a HR intern at Keelings has been an enriching experience that solidified my interest in human resources. Studying at NCI has equipped me with the tools I need to succeed, and I’m looking forward to the next chapter in my career. If you're considering a business degree or an internship, embrace the opportunities that come your way—you never know where they might lead!