Career Paths in Science showcases future possibilities for Louth graduates

The Department of Life and Health Sciences at Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT), in association with the Virtual Labs Project, recently welcomed past alumni to the third “Career Paths in Science” event held at the north Louth institute.

Past graduates, Darragh Connolly, Joy McGinn and Nicole Byrne, currently in microbiology roles within WuXi Biologics as well as Cathal O’Byrne, a quality control new product introduction specialist at Pfizer, spoke about their career journeys so far and how their science degrees from DkIT have influenced their chosen paths after graduation. 

Dr Sinead Loughran and Dr Caroline Gilleran Stephens discussed the value of postgraduate study and outlined the postgraduate opportunities within the school of Health and Science. Career opportunities within WuXi were also highlighted by the company’s talent and acquisition manager Eimear Forde and Claire Fallon from the DkIT Careers and Employability Centre presented some advice on how to get career ready using resources available to students at the centre. 

This event was organised by lecturers in the Department of Life and Health Sciences and supported by the Virtual Labs project, a HCI funded multi-institutional innovative project which aims to evaluate the use of virtual laboratory resources in STEM practical learning and teaching.

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The Virtual Labs project aims to enhance transversal skill development- which can be applied in diverse contexts, making them highly valuable in both professional and personal settings, and ultimately the employability, of science graduates. 

Speaking about the event, Dr Bridget Kelly, Microbiology lecturer in the Department of Life and Health Sciences said: “we were delighted to host this careers event for current students in our department, as it gave them an excellent opportunity to learn about the many career paths available to them as well as opportunities for postgraduate studies within DkIT.

"Through the panel discussion, students also gained an insight into the valuable skills for industry that the graduates gained throughout their time at DkIT.”