CAREERS DAY 2022
Minister McConalogue addresses final year students at UCD Agriculture, Food Science and Human Nutrition Careers Fair
UCD sees the return of in-house Agriculture, Food Science and Human Nutrition Careers Day 2022
After a brief absence in 2021 the UCD Agriculture, Food Science & Human Nutrition Careers Day took place on Wednesday 2nd March 2022. The annual event, organised by students, for students, welcomed Minister of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue T.D. who opened this year’s event.
Minister McConalogue provided a keynote address to 300 final year undergraduate students in the UCD Garret Fitzgerald Debating Chamber. A number of alumni from the UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science also addressed students including Dr. George Ramsbottom, ASA President / Teagasc and Ms. Zoe Kavanagh, CEO, National Dairy Council along with the recently appointed Dean of Agriculture, UCD Professor Frank Monahan and Mr Neil Maher, Chairperson, Agricultural Science Careers Committee.
Providing the keynote address, Minister McConalogue said “I honoured to address the UCD Agriculture, Food Science and Human Nutrition Careers Fair. I addressed what is the engine room of the future of the agri-food sector. These highly educated students will lead our sector through will be one of the most exciting periods for the industry. The agri-food sector is the largest and most important indigenous sector in Ireland and the demand for highly skilled and committed graduates has never been more important.”
The UCD Agriculture, Food Science and Human Nutrition Careers Day is a long-established event and is an important opportunity for soon-to-be graduates of the various programmes to connect and network with potential future employers. Nearly 50 exhibitors attended the event, providing an excellent opportunity for students to chat with representatives from a diverse range of organisations from across the agriculture and food industry.
Delighted to be hosting the first in-person careers event for students in two years, Neil Maher, Chairperson, Agricultural Science Careers Committee said, “I have been blown away by the level of interest from employers wishing to participate in Careers Day. This is proof of the high regard graduates from the school are held in across the industry. Careers Day is an important event for the graduating class of 2022 and I am delighted we are all able to be here today in person. I would also like to thank FRS Network for their generous sponsorship of the 2022 Graduate Handbook and each participating organisation for their support with this event.”
This student organised Careers Day is the only event of its kind organised within UCD and demonstrates the professionalism of students in the School of Agriculture and Food Science. Careers Day is one of a series of career focused events hosted within the school to support students with their career development.
Prof. Frank Monahan, Dean of Agriculture and Head of School, UCD School of Agriculture & Food Science said: “I would like to congratulate everyone involved in Careers Fair 2022. It is wonderful to see so many students and employers return to UCD for this important event. UCD has a proud tradition of developing highly skilled graduates, ready to meet the global challenges we face, and seeing today’s event I am very optimistic for their future opportunities.”
During the event, George Ramsbottom, President, ASA (Agricultural Science Association), made a formal presentation to the winners of the ASA Mock Interviews. ASA coordinate the Mock Interview Series annually to provide students with an opportunity to practice and improve their interview skills as part of their ongoing professional development.