Meet the UCD Careers Network Team based on the Belfield campus.

Dr David Foster

Director of Career Development & Skills

David is responsible for the strategic and operational development of UCD Careers Network (Belfield and Blackrock campuses). David regularly contributes to institutional working groups in areas such as the student and educational experience and represents UCD on the Universitas 21 Employability Group.

An elected Director of the Association of Higher Education Careers Services, David is active also in other groups such as the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services, an international organisation. Academically and professionally qualified, David holds a BSc (Hons) in Psychology & Linguistics, a Graduate Diploma in Career Guidance, a MSc in Guidance and Counselling and a PhD examining Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy and Vocationalism in Undergraduate Students. David also holds a level 9 Professional Recognition Award in Leadership and Management from the City & Guilds Institute of London.

 Tel: +353 1 716 7678

 Email: david.foster@ucd.ie

Sorcha Mulcahy

Deputy Director

Sorcha manages the Career and Skills Consultant team and leads several of the Careers Network’s strategic initiatives, including the Career Mentoring programme, the SPARC programme and the UCD Advantage Award.

Sorcha holds a BA in Applied Psychology, an MSc. in Occupational Psychology and a Postgraduate Diploma in Careers Education and Guidance in Higher Education. Sorcha is a member of the Association of Higher Education Careers Services and the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services. Sorcha is a member of the Association of Higher Education Careers Service and the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services.

Tel: +353 1 716 7558

Email: sorcha.mulcahy@ucd.ie

Leona Barry

Career Consultant

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

Tel: +353 1 716 7596

Email: leona.barry@ucd.ie

Sarah Brown

Career & Skills Consultant

As Career & Skills Consultant for the College of Social Sciences & Law, Sarah manages career learning initiatives including credit bearing modules, workshops, and professional development events that empower students to reach their potential.

Sarah has worked within career development and consultancy roles for 12 years, and has experience managing graduate recruitment and within the not-for-profit sector.

Sarah holds a BA (Hons) in Geography from the University of Birmingham, an MSc in Career Guidance and Development from the University of Strathclyde, and a Graduate Diploma in University Teaching and Learning. Sarah is a qualified assessor of Psychometric Testing Level A and B, and is a certified MBTI practitioner. Sarah is a member of the Association of Higher Education Careers Services, the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services, the Career Development Institute and the British Psychological Society.

Tel: +353 1 716 7515

Email: sarah.brown@ucd.ie

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. Edel is a certified MBTI practitioner and holds accreditation from the British Psychological Society to administer A and B psychometric inventories. .Edel is a qualified member of the Association of Higher Education Careers Services (AHECS)), the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services (AGCAS) and the Institute of Guidance Counsellors (IGC).

Tel: +353 1 716 7559

Email: edel.caraway@ucd.ie

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 Bachelor of Social Science Degree from UCD as well as a Postgraduate Higher Diploma in Human Resource Management. She also holds a Diploma in Coaching, as well as a 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).

Tel: +353 1 716 7562

Email: michelle.coen@ucd.ie

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).

Tel: +353 1 716 7679

Email: mark.cumisky@ucd.ie

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.

Tel: +353 1 716 7514

Email: leonie.phipps@ucd.ie

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.

Tel: +353 1 716 7579

Email: nicola.fortune@ucd.ie

Amy Fox

Career Consultant

Amy joined the UCD Careers Network Team in 2017 and works as a Career Consultant. Amy provides advice to all students on Effective Applications and Interview Skills, including CVs, cover letters and LinkedIn, by delivering one-to-one appointments and regular workshops. She also supports career development events and initiatives for both Graduate Research Students and Postdoctoral Researchers. 

Amy graduated from UCD with a Business and Law degree and spent one year as the Vice President for Education in UCD Students’ Union.  Amy has a great deal of student engagement experience and is passionate about working in roles which enhance the personal and professional development of others. She is currently pursuing the Postgraduate Diploma in Career Education, Information and Guidance in Higher Education from the University of Warwick.

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

Tel: +353 1 716 7594

Email: amy.fox@ucd.ie

Eamonn McHugh

Career Consultant

As Careers Consultant, Eamonn provides individual and group support to students from all disciplines in developing effective applications (CVs, cover letters, competency-based applications and personal statements) and preparing for interview.

Eamonn holds a BA in Business Information Management, a Diploma in Counselling & Psychotherapy and is a certified MBTI (Myers Briggs Type Indicator) practitioner. Eamonn is a member of the Association of Higher Education Careers Service and the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services.

Tel: +353 1 716 7597

Email: eamonn.mchugh@ucd.ie

Marita has a BSc (Hons) in Industrial Microbiology from UCD and an MSc in Data Business from IMI/UCC. Marita is a member of the Association of Higher Education Careers Service and the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services. 

Tel: +353 1 716 7554

Email: marita.porter@ucd.ie

Caroline O'Neill

Administration Team Leader

As Admin Team Lead, Caroline manages and coordinates all operations and responsibilities of the Careers Network front office team. Caroline also manages numerous projects, oversees the programme of On-Campus Employer Events and manages the UCD Recruitment Fairs annually.

Caroline holds a BSc in Health Promotion and Physical Activity from Dundalk Institute of Technology. Caroline is a member of the Association of Higher Education Careers Service and the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services.

Tel: +353 1 716 7573

Email: caroline.o.neill@ucd.ie 

Sophie Bonheim

Senior Marketing and Communications Assistant

Sophie creates content for social media and connects with students through our online platforms, helping them keep up to date with the latest job opportunities, events and workshops.

Tel: +353 1 716 7482

Email: sophie.bonheim@ucd.ie 

Adrianna Fiorentino Bowman

Careers Network Assistant

Adrianna is the friendly face welcoming students, employers and recent graduates to engage with the Careers Network service. Looking after our student Career Ambassador program, STEM administration and research for ongoing projects within the office.

 Adrianna holds a BA in European Cultural Studies, Film and Philosophy from the American University of Paris and an MPhil in Textual and Visual Studies from Trinity College Dublin. Adrianna is a member of the Association of Higher Education Careers Service and the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services.

Tel: +353 1 716 7571

Email: adrianna.bowman@ucd.ie 

Aradhna Mathur

Careers Network Assistant

Oonagh Sweeney

Employer Engagement Manager

Oonagh is responsible for leading the delivery of employer engagement activities across the University, creating opportunities for students to engage thus contributing positively to the student experience and graduate employability.

Oonagh graduated with an Honours BBS Degree from Cork Institute of Technology; followed with an Honours Masters of Business Studies from Smurfit School of Business, UCD (Management and Organisational Studies). She also completed a Certificate in Adult Education through UCD and a Certificate in Training and Development, accredited by IPA and CIPD. Oonagh is a member of the Association of Higher Education Careers Services and the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services.

Tel: +353 1 716 7572

Email: oonagh.sweeney@ucd.ie

Naoimh O'Connor

Research Careers Manager

Naoimh is responsible for developing services and provisions that support the Post-Doctoral 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. 

She is a member of the Research Students and Staff Task Group of the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services (AGCAS) and through this has co-organised two conferences for researcher developers across Ireland and the UK in June 2015 and April 2016. In 2015, she was part of the Association of Higher Education Careers Services (AHECS) Postgraduate Research Task group that conducted a survey on ‘International good practice in PhD careers provision’, the results of which were disseminated at the 2016 AHECS biennial conference in UCC. And through her involvement in the Careers Advisors for Researchers in Europe (CARE) group, she co-presented at the European Open Science forum 2016 in Manchester to an audience of 100 PhD students, Postdocs and PIs/ mentors. Her profile and a careers piece for researchers were published in the Naturejobs blog in September 2015.

Tel: +353 1 716 7507

Email: naoimh.oconnor@ucd.ie

Ger Lardner

Career & Skills Consultant for Graduate Research Students

As a Career & Skills Consultant, Ger focuses on the mobility of Doctoral Candidates beyond the PhD. She delivers a Careers Programme of professional skills training. 1-1 guidance and employer networking opportunities to enhance researcher competitiveness in a global environment. Ger holds an MSc in Guidance & Counselling from DCU, a Graduate Diploma in Systems Analysis and a BA in Economics & Geography from NUIG. She is an accredited member of the British Psychological Society for Level A & B psychometric testing.

Ger is Chair of the AHECS (Association of Higher Education Career Services) Postgraduate Research Task Force, a member of AGCAS (The Association of Graduate Career Advisory Services, (UK) and a member of the EUA-CDE TPG on Career Tracking for PhDs.

Tel: +353 1 716 7520

Email: ger.lardner@ucd.ie

Rebecca Boyle

Co-Curricular Project Officer

As the Co-Curricular Project Officer in the UCD Careers Network, Rebecca 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.

Rebecca holds two undergraduate degrees; a BA in Social Studies from Sligo IT and a BSc in Psychology and Criminal Behaviour from the University of Bedfordshire. Prior to beginning her role here, Rebecca was the Vice President for Welfare and Equality at Beds SU (University of Bedfordshire Students’ Union). Rebecca is a member of the Association of Higher Education Careers Service and the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services.

Tel: +353 1 716 7510

Email: rebecca.boyle@ucd.ie