NCI Blog

This is a guest blog post written by Dr Amanda Kracen, Associate Professor of Psychology at National College of Ireland. Unfortunately, cancer is still a leading cause of death in Ireland; the good news is that many people live with and beyond a cancer diagnosis. However, it may not surprise you that people are often affected by receiving a cancer diagnosis, coping with treatment, and learning to live as a “survivor.” People can feel scared and vulnerable. In addition to excellent medical care, it is now recognised that people with cancer benefit from excellent psychological treatment and social support.

A group of MSc in Data Analytics graduates came together to form Data Science Wizards (DSW), an innovative startup which enables businesses to harness the power of AI. In November 2023, DSW was announced as the winner of the "Best Application of AI in a Startup" category at the AI Awards, demonstrating their pathway to future success in this industry. In this blog post, the team share insights into their love for data, why they chose to study data analytics at NCI and their hopes for the future of DSW.

From undergraduate to masters edge, international student, Sakshi Shaha, shares her study abroad experience at National College of Ireland. According to the Early Careers Employer Survey 2023, masters graduates in Ireland have an average starting salary that is 10.50% higher than that of undergraduates. Pursuing a masters programme abroad not only provides a competitive advantage, but also offers a rich experience for personal development and the opportunity to understand different cultures.

With vast experience in the service industry, Linda Conway had gained a good understanding business operations. However, she had a desire to gain a formal qualification as she knew this was an essential step that would help her navigate the path ahead.

There are many reasons why you should study marketing but for recent graduate, Kim Bracken, the element she loved most was the practical approach to learning new skills and executing exciting ideas.

Having always loved working with people during his career in retail management, Brendan Breslin had an abundance of experience but came to a professional crossroads. After some advice from a career coach, he started his journey to gaining valuable qualifications in the HR field and he hasn't stopped since.

COVID-19 had a major impact on businesses worldwide, with employees facing several challenges as a result. Adapting to a hybrid working model, uncertainty around job security and an unsettled jobs market resulted in many employees staying in their existing roles throughout the pandemic as it was considered the safer option.

Apprenticeships are a popular choice among students who seek to advance their careers while simultaneously achieving a professional qualification. These programmes give people from all backgrounds the opportunity to enter various industries without prior knowledge or experience. Students can apply their classroom learning to their daily tasks on the job, and conversely, their work experience to classroom learning. National College of Ireland offers apprenticeships in both recruitment and financial services, to learn more, please visit Apprenticeships at NCI.

Studying abroad can be both exciting and daunting. However, the International Welcome Programme is an excellent way to settle into student life at National College of Ireland as it will help you find your feet as you begin your academic studies in a new country. The programme provides valuable information, advice, and support to help new international students transition into life in Ireland.

Jimmy Ahmed (pictured far left) at the Finbarr Flood Scholarship Ceremony For many students who are making their CAO choices, one factor that helps rank college courses is the positive impact you could have on society as a graduate. Working in areas such as healthcare, sustainability, non-profit or education can be incredibly rewarding and it starts with the choices you make as you prepare to leave secondary school.