At National College of Ireland, we pride ourselves on our blend of theoretical and practical learning. Orla Tooher shares her retrospective on how the BA (Hons) in Marketing Practice developed her skillset through practical, hands-on experience.
How did you know Marketing Practice was right for you?
I had always been good at business, I enjoyed the different aspects of it, but I wanted to study something more specialised. I gravitated towards the creative side of marketing, and so I looked at what Marketing Practice offered in the course modules, and internship opportunities.
"I liked the idea of a course that wasn't purely revolved around theory, but pushed you to actually build and sell something, putting what you learn in the lecture theatre into practice."
How did you know NCI was the right college for you?
A friend of mine was already studying Psychology at NCI and really enjoyed it, so I had a good sense of what the college was like before I even applied. On top of that, the commute was far easier for me than the alternatives, which made a real difference day to day, and is a testament to how well connected to public transport the college is.
What did you gain from studying Marketing Practice at NCI?
I gained a lot of real, transferable skills. The first two years of college gave me the foundations to go and put what I had learned to the test. I took up an internship at the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General as a Communications intern in my third year.
You took part in the pop-up event in Swords Pavilions Shopping Centre in May 2026. What was the biggest takeaway from that experience?
It was such a full-circle moment for me and the rest of the team to see the brand we had worked so hard on, come to fruition, and sell 90% of our stock!
"It’s one thing to do all the academic work in Marketing Strategy and the Capstone module, but another to actually see complete strangers pick it up, understand it, and buy it."
The experience taught me how different in-person selling is from anything you can plan for on paper as you're reading customers in real time and adjusting your pitch on the spot.
What advice would you give CAO students considering Marketing Practice at NCI?
Heavily consider doing the internship year. I learned so much during mine that college just can't teach you. The professionalism you pick up on the job isn't something you get in a classroom, and having a year's experience under your belt makes a real difference when you start looking for graduate roles. Beyond that, go in expecting to build something real through the Capstone, not just study marketing theory. Most importantly, say yes to the unglamorous parts like supplier emails, because that's where a lot of the real learning happens.
Can you tell us about your capstone project and the processes you had to undertake to have a final product?
Heatwave is a sauna towel brand co-founded with my Capstone teammates, Aoibheann Hunter and Ella White. We went from a concept to a tangible product within 3 months; designing the product and packaging, contacting suppliers, designing the Shopify website, and running our own social media pages. It was great to top it all off with a weekend out in Swords Pavilions.
What does the future hold for you?
I’ve recently started working at Projekt as a Marketing Executive. It’s a brilliant opportunity to shape and build the company’s marketing presence.
Longer-term, the world is my oyster, as they say, and I’m excited to see where my degree takes me.
The BA (Honours) in Marketing Practice is currently offered as part of the CAO Available Places facility. Check out the full range of Available Places courses.
