Meet the Belfield team

Dr David Foster

Director of Careers, Employability and Skills

David was appointed Director of Careers, Employability and Skills at UCD in 2009 and has transformed Careers Network in terms of mission, scale and scope.
Grounding practice within a peer review model of Graduate Employability, David established a culture of data informed practice. The unit has won national and international awards including the AHECS Research Informed Practice Award and the Association for Business Psycholgy’s Award for Excellence in Learning & Teaching. David holds a BSc in Psychology & Linguistics, a Grad Dip in Career Guidance, an MSc Guidance & Counselling, and a PhD in Career-Decision Making Self-Efficacy and Vocationalism amongst undergraduate students. David has a level 9 award in Leadership and Management from City & Guilds and contributed to national and international working groups. David is a member of the Institute of City & Guilds, Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and recent Associate Editor of the British Journal of Guidance and Counselling.

Sorcha Mulcahy

Deputy Director of Careers, Employability and Skills

As Deputy Director, Sorcha supports the Director of Careers, Employability and Skills in the strategic and operational development of the Careers Network. Sorcha's previous roles include Acting Director of Trinity Careers Service and UCD Project Lead for the Human Capital Initiative funded MicroCreds project. Prior to moving into Higher Education, Sorcha was a Management Consultant, with a focus on leadership assessment and development, change management, and organisational culture.

She has a BA in Applied Psychology from University College Cork, an MSc. in Occupational Psychology from Cardiff University, and a P.G. Diploma in Careers Education and Guidance in Higher Education from the University of Warwick. Sorcha is a member of the Association of Higher Education Careers Services (AHECS) and the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services (AGCAS).

Sophie Carey

Senior Careers and Skills Manager

Sophie is the Senior Career and Skills Manager, and she manages the Career Consultant and the Co-Curricular teams and is a member of the senior management team.
Her previous roles include Deputy Director of Careers Network (2021-2024) and Senior Manager for MBA programmes in the Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School. She previously managed the Careers Network in Smurfit and prior to this worked as a Career & Skills Consultant in UCD. Prior to moving into HE, Sophie was a HR professional in Bank of Ireland working across several areas of the business with a focus on change management and graduate & professional recruitment.
She has a BA in English & History of Art from UCD and a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Studies and a MSc in Human Resources from the Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School (first class honours). Sophie is a member of the Association of Higher Education Careers Services (AHECS) and the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services (AGCAS).

Kevin Rowan De Groote

Senior Data & Operations Manager

Kevin is the Senior Data & Operations Manager in the Careers Network, with a strategic remit to leverage and enhance the services offered to students and staff using data. Working closely with the team’s Survey & Data Analyst, the objective is to turn data into something usable to inform practice so Careers Network can continue to improve and innovate their services and remain aligned with the needs of students. In his role, Kevin sources, wrangles and cleans data (building pipelines where necessary), as well as modeling and visualising the data.

Separately, Kevin also manages the Operations Team and works closely with the Team Lead to ensure the smooth operation of the Careers Network's administrative and operational functions.

Hannah Lamont

Operations Team Lead

As Operations Team Lead at the UCD Careers Network, Hannah manages a team of Executive and Senior Executive Assistants, ensuring the delivery of a range of key operational functions, services, and systems that are essential to the smooth running of the Careers Network. Hannah coordinates a wide range of projects, including the project management of the annual UCD Recruitment Fairs, a flagship initiative of the UCD Careers Network, designed to connect students with leading employers while supporting institutional goals around employability and industry engagement.

Before joining UCD, Hannah spent over a decade managing large-scale events and projects across leading cultural institutions in Ireland and Canada.

Hannah holds a BA in Film & Broadcasting with French from TU Dublin, an MA in Cultural Policy & Arts Management from UCD, and a Professional Diploma in Project Management from the UCD Professional Academy.

Bruna Alves

Surveys and Data Analyst

Bruna joined the Careers Network team in October 2023 as the Surveys and Data Analyst.

Bruna works with Kevin, the Senior Data & Operations Manager, as the gatekeeper for the Careers Network data, aiming to provide an easy understanding of the data so stakeholders (internal and external) can use it to make strategic business decisions.

Bruna prepares, processes and analyses data, alongside building dynamic and interactive dashboards using Tableau, to make the latest data accessible to colleagues (and stakeholders) to help the Careers Network continue to improve and innovate their services aligned with the needs of students.

Leona Barry

Career and Skills Consultant

As the Career and Skills Consultant for the College of Social Sciences and Law, Leona supports students on their career pathway. Leona provides one-to-one career related advice to students along with assisting with all aspects of employer applications. Leona also provides Interview Coaching and designs and delivers tailored workshops, along with managing the design, delivery and assessment of credit-bearing modules.

Leona holds a Masters in Business Studies from Dublin City University and a BA in Marketing and also holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Career Education, Information and Guidance in Higher Education from Warwick University. Leona is a member of the Association of Higher Education Careers Services (AHECS) and the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services (AGCAS)

Edel Caraway

Career & Skills Consultant

Edel works with students of the UCD College of Science to enable and empower them to make the right career choices and to enhance their employability skills. Her work with students ranges from design and delivery of embedded career development within the College of Science curriculum, design delivery and assessment of credit-bearing modules, facilitation of workshops on all aspects of career management and skill development and one-to-one guidance and support. Edel is also the Team Lead for the STEM Team which includes the Colleges of Science, Engineering and Architecture, Health Sciences, Agriculture and Veterinary Science.
Edel holds a Master’s in Education (Guidance and Counselling) from Trinity College Dublin, and a Graduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning. She also holds a Graduate Diploma in Accountancy and Finance (ACCA), Graduate Diploma in Business Studies (Marketing) and a BA in Pure Economics.

Michelle Coen

Career & Skills Consultant

As the Career & Skills Consultant for the College of Arts & Humanities, Michelle teaches ‘Career Readiness for Arts & Humanities’ modules, facilitates workshops and coaches on a variety of career related topics.

Michelle holds a Postgraduate Higher Diploma in Career Education, Information and Guidance in Higher Education from the University of Warwick as well as a Postgraduate Higher Diploma in Human Resource Management and a Bachelor of Social Science Degree from UCD. She also holds a postgraduate Certificate in University Teaching & Learning (UCD), Diploma in Coaching, Diploma in Media & Communications and a Certificate in Training and Development. Michelle is a member of the Association of Higher Education Careers Services, the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services and MBA Career Services and Employer Alliance (MBA CSEA).

Mark Cumisky

Career & Skills Consultant

As the Career & Skills Consultant for the College of Health and Agricultural Sciences, Mark works with students, academics, and employers to develop meaningful and fulfilling career pathways that add value to individuals and organisations.

Mark was manager of the Career Development Centre at the University of Otago in New Zealand (2005-2010). In 2017 he completed an MA in Career Education, Information, and Guidance in Higher Education at the University of Warwick. He has been Chair of The University Careers Advisers' Association of New Zealand and Secretary of the Association of Graduate Career Services in Ireland (now the Association of Higher Education Careers Services). He is also a member of the Association of Graduate Career Advisory Services and the National Association of Colleges and Employers (US).

Leonie Phipps

Career & Skills Consultant

As Career & Skills Consultant for the Undergraduate School of Business, Innovation Academy and Access & Lifelong Learning, Leonie provides one to one coaching and guidance as well as delivering careers and skills workshops for her caseload.

Leonie holds a Masters Degree in Human Resource Management from Dublin Business School and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in French and German from Maynooth University. Leonie is a member of the Higher Career Education Services, the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services and the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.

Nicola Fortune

Career & Skills Consultant

As the Career & Skills Consultant for the College of Engineering & Architecture, Nicola works with employers, faculty and staff to develop opportunities for students, and to support them both individually and in groups on their career journey.

Nicola has an MSc in Cyberpsychology and a PgDip in Guidance and Counselling and is a member of the Association of Higher Education Careers Services and the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services.

Karina Septore

Career & Skills Consultant

As a Career and Skills Consultant, Karina works with students from the UCD College of Science and Engineering, encouraging them in reaching their career potential via workshops and one-to-one appointments. Prior to joining UCD, Karina worked with students and graduates in a career development capacity within the Higher Education setting in the UK and Ireland.

Karina holds a BA in Human Resources Management and PGDip in Career Education, Information and Guidance in Higher Education from the University of Warwick. She is also certified in Neuro Linguistic Programming and Universal Design Learning. Karina is a member of the Association of Higher Education Careers Services and the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services.

Ann McCarry

Co-Curricular Project Officer

As Co-Curricular Project Officer in the UCD Careers Network, Ann is involved in a range of initiatives that aim to develop student’s skills and aid their personal and professional development. Ann is the main point of contact for students participating in the UCD Career Mentoring Programme.

Ann has a BA in English and Human Development, an MA in Creative Writing, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Career Education, Information and Guidance in Higher Education.

Ann is a member of the Association of Higher Education Careers Service and the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services.

Sarah Shalloe

Career Consultant

As Career Consultant, Sarah meets undergraduate and postgraduate students of all disciplines for one-to-one sessions to advise on making effective applications and preparing for interviews. She also facilitates career readiness workshops for all cohorts across the University.

Sarah holds a BSc in Education and Training from Dublin City University and a Postgraduate Diploma in Career Guidance and Development from Nottingham Trent University. Prior to her role here, Sarah worked in the Careers and Employability Team at Nottingham Trent University.

Sarah is a member of the Association of Higher Education Careers Service and the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services

Isobel Tynan

Career Consultant

As a careers consultant, Isobel meets undergraduate and postgraduate students of all disciplines to advise on making effective applications and preparing for interview. She also facilitates career readiness workshops for all student cohorts across the university.

Isobel joined the UCD Careers network in 2024 following her career as Head of Learning and Development in professional services. She has a Masters in Work and Organisational Behaviour, is MBTI certified and is a member of the Association of Higher Education Career Services and the Association of Graduate Career Advisory Services.

Mark Jackson

Careers Network Assistant

Mark is part of the Operations Team and assists with office administration. He also supports the various projects of the Careers Network, such as the Career Fairs finance portfolio and editing video content for use on the MyCareer website.

As part of his role, he is also currently involved in writing the fortnightly LinkedIn newsletter, solving queries for students, staff and employers, and helping to review job vacancies on MyCareer.

Mark holds a First-Class Honours degree in English with Creative Writing from UCD.

Sahar Ul Haque

Careers Network Assistant

Sahar is part of the Operations Team and assists with office administration. She is also in charge of office management and the finance portfolio including Accounts Payable and VAT returns. Sahar is also supporting the Academic Internship Managers across UCD as well as the Front Office Team during the annual Employer and Internship Recruitment Fairs

As part of her role, Sahar is also currently involved in supporting various projects of the Careers network such as the Academic Internship Managers Forum, Graduate Outcomes Survey, and Essential Careers Skills Workshop as well as solving queries for students, staff, and employers, and helping to review job vacancies on our MyCareers website.

Sahar holds a BA in Humanities in History and Politics from UCD

Kate Comaskey

Careers Network Assistant

Kate coordinates Employer Events and works closely with the Team Lead on the event management of the annual UCD Careers Network Recruitment Fairs. She also looks after other Employer Initiatives & Programmes such as the Skills For Working Life, Set For Success Skills Programme, and Social Impact Week.

As an Executive Assistant in the Careers Network, Kate also supports the Operations Team in managing student and alumni appointments and job vacancy approvals from employers, and works directly with the Career and Skills Consultants, providing administrative support.

Kate holds a BA in Music Education from University of Maine and an MSc in Education from University College Dublin.

Kate is also a member of the Association of Higher Education Careers Service and the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services.

Cathy Savage

Senior Internships and Engagement Manager

Cathy is the Senior Internships & Engagement Manager with the UCD Careers Network. She leads on strategic, policy and operational developments to enhance the academic internships landscape at UCD. Cathy joined the UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Career Development Centre in 2010 and was appointed Senior Manager of the Career Development Centre at the UCD Smurfit Graduate School of Business in 2015. Her role involved managing the UCD Smurfit Careers Network team in Blackrock, developing relationships and engaging with key graduate employers. Formerly, she was an Associate Director with one of Ireland's largest recruitment companies.

Cathy has a Bachelor of Arts in History and Irish (UCD), a BA (Ord.) in Law (Technology University Dublin), a Postgraduate Diploma in Career Education, Information and Guidance in Higher Education from Warwick University. She is a member of the Association of Higher Education Careers Services (AHECS) and the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services.

Oonagh Sweeney

University Internships Manager

Oonagh is responsible for overseeing Academic Internships across the University and supporting the implementation of the Academic Internships Framework and related Work Placement Policy. Academic internships play an important role in the relationship between the University and employers of graduates, specifically around the talent pipeline and student progression.

She also provides specialist advice and consultancy around the internships experience to Internships Managers, faculty, and employers in line with international best practice.

Oonagh also manages and chairs the UCD Internship Managers Forum, ensuring sharing of best practice, continuous quality improvement and the professional development of internship managers.

Caroline Pierce

Business Development Manager

Caroline joined the UCD Careers Network team as Business Development Manager in April 2023. She develops strategic engagement with employers for UCD graduates and builds knowledge of labour market trends within the Careers Network team. A trained interpreter and diplomat, Caroline has over 10 years’ experience as a manager in private and public sectors. specialising in communications and developing strategic partnerships. She holds a BA in Arts from Trinity College Dublin and an MA in Interpreting & Translation from the University of Bath, UK.

Naoimh O'Connor

Research Careers Manager

Naoimh is responsible for developing services and provisions that support the Postdoctoral researcher’s career development both inside and out of the Academy. This includes providing one-to-one career coaching, facilitating workshops exploring Jobseeking strategies for researchers and writing career plans for funding applications as well as hosting academia-to-industry networking events with PhD employers and ex-Postdocs.

Naoimh’s undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications are in Psychology and she has a HDip in Business and Executive Coaching in the Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School. She also has a Masters of Philosophy in Creative Writing, is a certified MBTI (Myers Briggs Type Indicator) practitioner, a qualified kinesiologist (complementary wellness practitioner) and a Touch for Health™ kinesiology instructor.

Tara Hughes

Careers and Skills Consultant for Graduate Researchers

Tara is currently the Careers & Skills Consultant for Graduate Researchers in UCD.
Prior to joining UCD Careers Network, she worked in UCD HR where her key programmes were in faculty development & mentoring.

Previously, Tara worked in HR roles in large global technology-driven organisations in Dublin & London, as a HR Partner and focusing on Learning & Development & Organisation Development.

Tara has a BSocSci, DBS & MBS (HRM) from UCD. She is an accredited member of the Association for Coaching and holds a Diploma in Executive & Leadership Coaching and a Post Grad Cert in Teaching & Learning. She is a certified MBTI and DISC practitioner.

She is also member of the Association of Higher Education Careers Services (AHECS) and the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services.

Aradhna Mathur

Co-Curricular Project Officer

As the Co-Curricular Project Officer in the UCD Careers Network, Aradhna manages a range of initiatives such as the UCD Advantage Award, the UCD Career Mentoring Programme and the SPARC Programme. These are projects which aim to develop student's skills.

Aradhna holds a Bachelors degree in Commerce from Delhi University and a Master's degree in Finance from Symbiosis College of Management India.

Aradhna is also a member of the Association of Higher Education Careers Service and the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services.

Andrea Maynard

Co-Curricular Project Officer

As Co-Curricular Project Officer in the UCD Careers Network, Andrea is involved in a range of initiatives that aim to develop student’s skills as well as developing and expanding future co-curricular initiatives in UCD.

Andrea holds a BS in Psychology (St. Lawrence University), a MSc in the Psychology of Sport (University of Stirling), a MS Ed & CAS in School Counselling (SUNY Plattsburgh), and a PhD in Children and Youth Studies (UCD School of Education).

Andrea is also a member of the Association of Higher Education Careers Service, the British Psychological Society (BPS), and the Association for Citizenship Teaching (ACT).

Andrea is also a member of the Association of Higher Education Careers Service and the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services.

Aoife Kilbane

Digital Marketing & Communications Executive

Aoife joined the UCD Careers Network operations team in Autumn 2024.

As the Digital Marketing and Communications Executive, her role is to design and develop impactful marketing and promotional campaigns for events and initiatives ran by the Careers Network, including recruitment fairs, open days and skills programmes. Aoife also oversees the network’s digital promotional efforts which involves the management of social media channels and website maintenance.

Prior to joining the UCD Careers Network, Aoife worked for the BBC and streaming service SkyShowtime where she planned and executed global publicity campaigns and events for flagship film and television brands.

Aoife holds an MA in Film and Screen Media from Birkbeck, University of London and is a graduate of the BBC Communications Trainee Programme.

Kathryne Del Sesto

Assistant Career Consultant

As Assistant Career Consultant, Kathryne helps students in the College of Arts & Humanities, the College of Social Sciences and Law, and the Quinn Business School to present their best selves in job applications and interviews.

Kathryne holds a BA in Theatre Arts from Barnard College at Columbia University, and an MFA in Creative Writing from The New School. She joined UCD Careers Network after five years in the MBA Office at UCD Smurfit Graduate Business School, and over the course of her career has worked in teaching, communications, and administration for organisations in the education, financial services, and arts sectors.

Jim Xi Johnson

Digital Marketing & Communications Executive

As a Digital Marketing and Communications Executive, Jim is responsible for making sure students and employers are aware and involved in everything that the Careers Network does, from recruitment fairs and events, to skills development programmes and beyond.
This includes social media management, event coverage, website development, collaboration with employers and everything in between.

Jim graduated from DCU with a BA in Communication Studies and previously worked in multiple public bodies before joining the UCD Careers Network.

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Belfield Team

Meet the UCD Careers Network Team based on the Belfield campus

Dr David Foster

Director of Careers, Employability and Skills

Sorcha Mulcahy

Deputy Director of Careers, Employability and Skills

Sophie Carey

Senior Careers and Skills Manager

Kevin Rowan De Groote

Senior Data & Operations Manager

Hannah Lamont

Operations Team Lead

Bruna Alves

Surveys and Data Analyst

Leona Barry

Career and Skills Consultant

Edel Caraway

Career & Skills Consultant

Michelle Coen

Career & Skills Consultant

Mark Cumisky

Career & Skills Consultant

Leonie Phipps

Career & Skills Consultant

Nicola Fortune

Career & Skills Consultant

Karina Septore

Career & Skills Consultant

Ann McCarry

Co-Curricular Project Officer

Sarah Shalloe

Career Consultant

Isobel Tynan

Career Consultant

Mark Jackson

Careers Network Assistant

Sahar Ul Haque

Careers Network Assistant

Kate Comaskey

Careers Network Assistant

Cathy Savage

Senior Internships and Engagement Manager

Oonagh Sweeney

University Internships Manager

Caroline Pierce

Business Development Manager

Naoimh O'Connor

Research Careers Manager

Tara Hughes

Careers and Skills Consultant for Graduate Researchers

Aradhna Mathur

Co-Curricular Project Officer

Andrea Maynard

Co-Curricular Project Officer

Aoife Kilbane

Digital Marketing & Communications Executive

Kathryne Del Sesto

Assistant Career Consultant

Jim Xi Johnson

Digital Marketing & Communications Executive

UCD Careers Network