NCI Blog

Mark Brennan is a 3rd Year BA (Honours) in Business student, currently on placement with Electricity Supply Board (ESB). Mark was recently shortlisted for the GradIreland Undergraduate of the Year Awards 2026 in the Real Impact category that recognises students that have made an outstanding impact in the world around them.

Read on to discover Mark's experiences of studying business at NCI, his charity work and journey to placement with ESB.

Can you tell us about your background and journey to studying at NCI?

Before beginning my studies at NCI, I spent two years studying at another Irish institution. Over time, I realised my own personal interests and career goals did not align and I needed a different learning environment that focused more on practical application, workplace experience, and people-focused work. This led me to NCI and the BA Honours in Business degree which was a much better fit . 

Business at NCI offered me flexibility and helped me link my practical work experience in hospitality with academic learning. As I progressed through the course, I was able to explore different areas of business, refine my interests, and build confidence. Over time, I found myself moving towards a clear focus on HR as a career path. 

What was your process to becoming a HR Intern at ESB?

My journey to becoming a HR Intern at ESB started with researching organisations that aligned with my interests in people-focused work, governance, and sustainability. ESB stood out to me because of the scale of its operations and the range of HR exposure it offered. I also had the opportunity to engage with ESB through an employer networking event hosted by the Careers Team at NCI, which gave me insight into the organisation and its culture, and I was delighted to receive an invitation to interview with them.

During my interview, I focused on clearly explaining why I was interested in HR, how the skills I’ve gained through my business studies at NCI supported that, how my previous management experience had shaped that interest, and what I could contribute to the organisation.

The interview process itself was a really great experience. It focused not only on skills and knowledge, but also on values and attitude, which really resonated with me. Being offered the internship felt like a great opportunity to build on my existing experience and continue developing in a professional HR environment.

What does a typical day look like at ESB?

There isn’t really a typical day at ESB, which is one of the things I enjoy most about the role. Depending on the time of the month, a day might involve working on headcount or vacancy figures, preparing information and reports for the HR team and governance meetings, or following up with managers on actions like probations, visas, or contracts, both temporary and overseas. I work closely with the HR Business Partners, which allows me to see how HR supports the business at a strategic and operational level. The mix of tasks means the role stays interesting, and I get exposure to many different parts of HR on a day-to-day basis.

A significant amount of my time has been spent supporting the relocation of the Engineering & Major Projects business unit to a new office in the city centre. That work involved managing relocation headcount data, issuing contractual location change letters, managing workstation risk assessment bookings, and organising practical arrangements such as access cards, lockers, and parking allocations. I was also involved in staff communications, induction sessions, training compliance tracking, and regular meetings throughout the move, which meant balancing operational HR work with detailed project coordination.

Overall, the role is fast-paced and varied. Each day involves a mix of operational HR work, project support, and cross-team collaboration, which has helped me build a strong understanding of how HR operates within a large organisation.

Congratulations on becoming a finalist in The GradIreland Real Impact Undergraduate of the Year Award! What was the application process?

The application process for The Real Impact Undergraduate of the Year Award was very reflective. It involved looking back at everything I had been involved in alongside my studies – from my work placement, community involvement, and leadership roles – and clearly explaining the impact of that work.

What I found most valuable about the process was taking the time to step back and recognise how different experiences, whether through work, volunteering, or sustainability initiatives, can come together to create meaningful impact. It encouraged me to think about the common thread running through those experiences, what motivates me, and why people-focused work is something I care so strongly about.

Can you talk a little about the ceremony and what you have learned from the other finalists?

The atmosphere was incredibly supportive, and it genuinely felt like a celebration of effort, purpose, and impact, rather than a competition.

Meeting the other finalists and hearing about their journeys was the highlight of the event for me. Everyone came from very different backgrounds and areas of study, with many involved in impressive work across sustainability, community development, and advocacy. It was interesting to see how varied “impact” can be, and how each person had found their own way to make a difference.

Listening to their stories reinforced that positive change doesn’t only come from big gestures, but also from everyday actions and long‑term commitment to something bigger than yourself. Overall, being a finalist reinforced my confidence in the direction I’m heading and reminded me that the work I care about genuinely matters.

What does “making an impact” mean to you personally?

To me, making an impact is about doing work that genuinely helps other people, even when it isn’t always visible or recognised. That includes my fundraising work for LauraLynn Children’s Hospice, where I’ve led initiatives in my workplace and encouraged others to get involved, raising funds for a cause that supports children and families during incredibly difficult times.

I’ve learned that impact isn’t always about big gestures. A lot of the time, it comes from small, everyday actions – taking the time to support someone, improving how things are done, or encouraging others to get involved. Through my placement, hospitality work, charity involvement, and volunteering with the Time to Read programme with Business In The Community, I try to focus on making a positive difference where I can.

Being recognised as a finalist for The Real Impact Undergraduate of the Year Award was a really meaningful moment, as it reflected the value of that community work and reinforced my motivation to continue contributing in ways that have a real impact.

What is your advice to future students who are considering NCI or a career in HR?

My main advice would be to keep an open mind and make the most of every opportunity. It’s normal not to have everything figured out at the start. What matters is being willing to learn, try different things, and reflect on what suits you as you go.

For students considering NCI, I’d strongly encourage engaging with the practical elements of the courses, particularly work placement. That experience really helps you understand how what you’re learning applies in the real world and can give you clarity on the direction you want to take.

For anyone interested in a career in HR, focus on developing both your people skills and your attention to detail. HR is about supporting people, but it also requires organisation, sound judgement, and accountability. Take responsibility where you can, ask questions, and don’t underestimate the value of experience gained outside of college – it all adds up.

If you're interested in studying at NCI, be sure to check out our CAO Hub as well as our range of Open events.