Niamh grew up in a small village in Ireland; the only three reasons you would find yourself in Niamh’s home village are: you live there, you are visiting someone who lives there or, you are completely lost.
Niamh loves all sports and started playing rugby at University, where she completed her undergraduate degree in Law & Tax, Niamh realized she was not suited to sit behind a desk for her career and went on to do a Masters in Marketing and Management.
After playing International 15s and 7s rugby for a number of years with Ireland and working with International students, Niamh joined the UL Team, where she is the International Student Recruitment Officer for North and South America at the University of Limerick since 2017. Niamh loves her job, as she gets help students to figure out their future careers and gets to travel a lot to meet new people and experience different cultures.
What is your favorite travel memory?
My favourite travel memory is from a trip where I traveled to Italy with the Irish Team to play against Italy in the Six Nations, but this was special game, as we were aiming for winning the tournament and also a grand slam (that is, winning the full tournament with no loses).
The day we arrived, the sun was shining and it was around 22 degrees (celsius) - it was a perfect day for the pre-match warm-up. Overnight the weather changed and it snowed and rained - we played Italy on the coldest day I've ever played rugby in! We still managed to win 6 - 3, which is a very close game in Rugby!
That was the first time Ireland won the Six Nations, and to win it as a grand slam was amazing. We shared the amazing Aer Lingus flight home with fans and an Irish band! All of us singing Irish songs together for the whole flight.
It will be hard to beat a trip like that one.
How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?
Working for UL has really opened my eyes to the opportunities and support available for students within the University. I have met some inbound UL students and witnessed them becoming independent and mature adults during their time at undergraduate or postgraduate studies. I really love to see students I meet and advise to become successful, and the University of Limerick really supports them through this.
What is the best story you've heard from a return student?
The best story I have heard was from this recent graduate of ours: Ashley. Ashley came to study with us for a semester as a study abroad student, and then last year completed her Masters in Marketing and Management at UL. Ashley loved the work we did at the International office in UL and wanted to work in a similar career. She loved the support we gave to students and the way we advised them on their future studies. Ashley has just started a new job as an international recruitment officer at a University in the USA! We're so proud of her and can't wait to watch her career flourish.
If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?
I would love to take a programme at the Irish World Academy for Music and Dance. Full disclosure, I can’t sing or play a musical instrument, but because of the way the Irish World Academy for Music and Dance teaches their students, I would love to experience that too. I'd also love to be able to sing! I'm not too sure if they will be able to teach me this, skill but it would certainly be fun to try.
What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?
There are so many things that I love about UL, but the one thing that makes me super proud is the student experience - we look after our students! I like to say we are their Irish Mums in UL.
Also, we have over 80 different clubs or societies, so there is something for all students to do outside the classroom. My colleague, Liam, is totally going to say that we have an awesome American Football team and we do, but the Rugby Team is totally better (trust me!).
UL is ranked number 1 in the world for student experience and it is because of the student support and student clubs & societies we have. We are very lucky to have this award!
What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?
The most important factor in UL being successful is our students.
They are amazing students and they are the heart and soul of UL. We are blessed with a beautiful campus in a lovely countryside setting on the banks of the River Shannon. Though only 3 miles from Limerick City, it feels like you are in your own little village. As all students, both domestic and international, live on campus, there is a super atmosphere and a real sense of community
