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

Sophie Carey

Deputy Director

Sophie joined as Deputy Director, UCD Careers Network in June 2021. She deputises for the Director, manages a team of Career & Skills Consultants, and oversees projects across a range of areas relevant to careers. Prior to this, she spent two and a half years as MBA Director, running the MBA programme in the Michael Smurfit Graduate School of Business. Additionally, she managed a team of careers professionals in the Smurfit Business School as Senior Manager responsible for building stakeholder relationships with employers and providing careers advice to postgraduate business students.

Her prior experience includes working as a Careers Consultant in UCD working with Arts, Humanities, Law and Social Sciences students, and she spent a large part of her career working in human resources in the banking sector across a variety of roles from recruitment, project management and internal communications.

She has a Master of Business Studies (HR) as well as a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Studies and a BA in English and History of Art from UCD. Sophie was appointed Executive Director of the Association of Higher Education Careers Services in 2016 – 2018. She is also a member of the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services.

Email: sophie.carey@ucd.ie

Kevin R De Groote

Senior Data & Operations Manager

Kevin joined the team in September 2021 and 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 Bruna, 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 to remain aligned with the needs of students. In his role, Kevin sources, wrangles and cleans data (building pipelines where necessary), models and visualises the data and runs some experiments.

Alongside this Kevin also manages, supports and oversees the operational activities of the Operations Team in the Careers Network.

Kevin manages several data related projects including: 

• Graduate Outcome Survey, a survey that measures graduates' early career development and provides visibility to potential career paths for current students
• Career Registration Survey, a survey that measures students career readiness, work experience and sectors of interest to inform initiatives to meet the career development needs of the students while still on campus 
• provision of data for QS World University Rankings.

Kevin also oversees the work of the Operations Team, a team committed to innovation and ensuring that students have access to: 

• the expertise of the Career & Skills consultant team 
• up to date and engaging online material to remain informed and recruitment ready
• provide connections with potential employers through recruitment fairs, vacancy posting and employer events.

Kevin has a PhD in (experimental) archaeology from UCD and is a member of the Association of Higher Education Careers Service and the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services.

Email: kevin.degroote1@ucd.ie  

Hannah Lamont

Operations Team Lead

As Operations Team Lead at the UCD Careers Network, Hannah manages a team of four Executive Assistants and one Senior Executive Assistant, ensuring the smooth operation of the network's administrative and operational functions. She leads the Operations team, upholding UCD's values of excellence and collegiality, and guiding efforts to provide students with access to expert career advice, engaging online resources, and opportunities to connect with employers.

In addition to overseeing day-to-day activities, Hannah coordinates a wide range of projects, including the project management of the annual UCD Recruitment Fairs. These fairs, highly regarded among faculty and employers, are a key element in connecting students with potential career opportunities. She also manages a diverse program of on-campus and virtual employer events, ensuring they meet the high standards expected by all stakeholders.

Hannah holds a BA in Media Arts 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.

Email: hannah.lamont@ucd.ie 

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.

The Career Registration Survey and the Graduate Outcomes Survey are among the data-related projects in which Bruna is closely involved. The former explores students' career readiness, work experience and sectors of interest and helps to inform initiatives to meet student career development needs; the latter tracks graduates' early career development, providing visibility to potential career paths for current students.

Bruna holds a BA in Business (Uninove - Brazil), a Professional Diploma in Architectural Design (Griffith College - Ireland), and a certification in the Aurora Leadership Programme (AdvanceHE - University College Dublin - Ireland).

Email: bruna.alves@ucd.ie

Leona Barry

Tel: +353 1 716 7679

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

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

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.

Tel: +353 1 716

Email: karina.septore@ucd.ie

Ann McCarry

Career Consultant

 Ann 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: ann.mccarry@ucd.ie

Sarah Shalloe

Careers Consultant

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.

Email: aoife.kilbane@ucd.ie  

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. 

Email: mark.jackson@ucd.ie  

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 

Email: sahar.ulhaque@ucd.ie 

Alessia Talarico

Careers Network Assistant

Alessia 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.

Email: alessia.talarico@ucd.ie  

Kate Comaskey

Careers Development Assistant

Kate joined the Careers Network Operations Team in Autumn 2023. As an Executive Assistant she supports the Careers and Skills Consultants for Business, Arts and Humanities, and Social Sciences & Law. She assists with the Co-Curricular Awards and coordinates the Careers Network Student Ambassadors as well as assisting with the Corporate and Commercial Law Trip and Skills for Working Life Programme. Kate assists in the front office through managing current student and alumni appointment bookings, contributing to the annual Careers Network Employer and Internship Fairs, and updating employer job postings. 

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 (AGCAS).

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.

Oonagh has a Bachelor of Business Studies- Marketing  (Cork Institute of Technology) a Master’s in Business (UCD), a HDip in Advanced Management Performance (UCD)  and has undertaken a Mini MBA (QUB) and was most recently part of the UCD Aurora Women’s Leadership Programme.  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

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.

 Please contact caroline.pierce@ucd.ie 

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. 

She has enjoyed being a member of the Research Students and Staff Task Group of the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services (AGCAS) and through this has been involved in organising multiple conferences for researcher developers across Ireland and the UK. As a member of the Careers Advisors for Researchers in Europe (CARE) group, she has co-presented at each European Open Science forum since 2016 to audiences of 100+ researchers and their PIs/ mentors. She was profiled in Naturejobs Ask the Expert blog in September 2015 and the GradIreland Career Pathways short video series in 2017. 

Email: naoimh.oconnor@ucd.ie

Tara Hughes

Careers and Skills Consultant for Graduate Researchers

Tel: +353 1 716 7507

Email: Tara.Hughes@ucd.ie

Aradhna Mathur

Co-Curricular Project Officer