This September, a new opportunity was available to those completing Accelerated Business Degrees in Business Management or HRM Strategy and Practice to progress directly to postgraduate study by applying for a scholarship to join our MBA degree covering full tuition fees for the two-year course. This scholarship was highly competitive given the demand for places on this prestigious programme and we are delighted to announce that it has been awarded to David Comiskey, CRM Manager at CurrencyFair.
In this student spotlight interview, David shares his motivations for joining the MBA programme, what he's most looking forward to on this journey and how he hopes this postgraduate qualification will support his personal and professional goals.
Congratulations on winning the MBA Scholarship! Can you tell us about your background in terms of your career and education?
I have had a very varied path with plenty of ups and downs. I didn't go to college straight after school, as I didn't know what I wanted to do. After bouncing around various jobs, I trained as an AutoCAD technician, a profession that was popular at the time due to Ireland's strong construction market. I attempted my first degree in Architectural Technology as a mature student, but unfortunately, I was unable to continue due to the financial crisis in 2008. The job market during that time was extremely tough, and I decided to pivot and try something different. I developed an interest in website development and completed training, gaining experience in web production. Digital marketing and social media were exploding at the time, and SME's were popping up all the time, so there was great demand for web services.
After freelancing and agency work, I transitioned into the travel technology sector, where I spent five years at Cartrawler as a Senior Digital Marketing Executive, focusing on email marketing and CRM. It was there that I obtained my first Level 7 qualification, a certificate in Digital Marketing. I joined my current company, CurrencyFair, an Irish Fintech, in 2019 as the Email Marketing Manager, and last year I transitioned to the new role of CRM Manager. I still felt undereducated and had always wanted to complete a degree; it reached a "now or never" point, so in 2023, I pursued the accelerated Business Management degree at National College of Ireland.
What motivated you to continue your studies at NCI to postgraduate level with an MBA degree?
I honestly never imagined I'd be doing an MBA. I thought I might complete a master's at some stage, but the accelerated degree I had just finished was very intense, and it's tough on your family too, so I was looking forward to a nice long break!
I had put a lot of effort into the degree, and when the opportunity came up for the scholarship, I thought I'd apply and give it a shot.
Even though I was apprehensive about continuing to study immediately, the opportunity to pursue such a highly regarded qualification was a no-brainer - I found out I was accepted into the MBA programme on a Thursday, and I was back in class by Monday.
What have been your first impressions of the MBA programme and the learning environment in the MBA classroom?
There are a few stand-out differences compared to a typical degree. The first is the class size and engagement. The class is about 20 people who are very motivated to be in the programme, which makes for great engagement during the classes.
The content so far is excellent, with a lot of practical application, whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or within your current company.
Compared to my last course, the lectures are a little shorter, but the modules run for longer, covering the content in greater depth without running so late into the evening. Lastly, as the modules are delivered in block format, you are not juggling multiple subjects simultaneously, which I find helps with focus and time management.
What are you most looking forward to as you continue your MBA journey?
At this early stage, it's a little daunting to think about the next two years, but I'm excited and curious about how I'll develop over the course of the programme and the opportunities it will bring for my future. I'm also looking forward to working with my classmates and gaining their perspectives, as well as learning from their experiences and backgrounds.
How do you hope the MBA will support your professional goals or open new opportunities for you in the future?
As a specialist, I'm very focused on my area, and I hope the MBA will broaden my knowledge and understanding of key operational business functions, enabling me to grow into more diverse roles in the future. I am also thinking about career security for the future. Whether it's applying for new roles, seeking promotions, or even consulting in your current area, there's no doubt that an MBA can provide a competitive advantage.
David is currently studying the Master of Business Administration (MBA) at National College of Ireland which is a part-time and is a mix of online and in-person classes with most classes taking place online. Visit our MBA Hub to read graduate profiles, explore the course content and lots more.
