Programme
Date and Time: Tuesday 11 November 2008, 6.30 pm
Venue: Agriculture and Food Science Centre, UCD (FS1 lecture theatre)

Session 1 - 'Skills for Getting That Job'

Session 2 - 'Career Profiles of BAgrSc Graduates'

Speaker Profiles

Anne O'Connor, HR Graduate Recruitment Manager, Kerry Group
Anne graduated with a BCom from NUI Galway in 2005, majoring in Human Resources Management. After qualifying, she went on to work in the HR Department of Monogram Hotels, which is luxury hotel group based in Galway. She took up the position of Graduate Recruitment Manager with Kerry Group in August of this year. Anne is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.
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Alan Heaney, Market Director Ireland & USA, Richard Keenan & Co. Ltd.
Alan, graduated with a BAgrSc in Animal Science in 1999. He began working for Richard Keenan & Co. Ltd as a Nutrition Advisor straight after completing his degree. In 2004 he was appointed Market Director of Ireland and in 2006 he was appointed the Market Director of the USA. Alan also completed an MBA in Trinity in 2007.

Paul Crossan, Research Officer, Teagasc
Paul graduated with a BAgrSc in Engineering Technology from UCD in 2001. He began his PhD in the economic analysis and modelling of beef production systems straight after graduating with his degree and completed his post doctorate in 2005 from UCD also. In 2004 and 2005 Paul travelled to the USDA Pennsylvania State University on a Fullbright Scholarship. On his return he began working with Teagasc in Moorepark and now works as a research officer in Grange in Meath.

Jim Devlin, Public and Regulatory Affairs Director, Financial Dynamics
Jim graduated with a BAgrSc from UCD in 1984. He went on to do a MAgrSc in 1986 and a MSc in 1987. After spending two years as a lecturer in animal husbandry and farm management at Ballyhaise Agricultural College he went on to train as an accountant with KPMG in Dublin. He became an Associate of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland in 1994. He began working with the Irish Farmers Association (IFA) in 1992 as Director of IFA policy development on environment, infrastructure, taxation and farm business issues. In 2006, Jim moved to Financial Dynamics, where he is now Director of Public and Regulatory Affairs to Financial Dynamics high profile clients.

Degree of opportunity
By Yvonne Kerr
Although working on the family farm may hold less appeal to those finishing school these days, demand for places on the agricultural science course in UCD has risen significantly.
This year saw a big increase in demand for third-level agriculture and food science programmes. Points were up, especially in UCD, where you needed an extra 75 points to get into some of the more popular Ag Science options. Despite the economic downturn, job prospects in agri-food related disciplines are good. This was the message delivered to final year Ag Science students who attended the Agriculture Science Association (ASA) Career Development Forum held in UCD last week.
The aim of the event, in its fifth year, is to help students and graduates develop their CV, through advice given by potential employers, and broaden their thinking on future career paths and areas of employment.
ASA Manager James O'Mahony says there has been a swing towards food science courses in the past couple of years, with more girls applying also - many of whom move towards careers in agri-business and marketing. James says the increase of up to 75 points for courses is a real boost for the future of the agri-food sector. More than 75 students turned up to hear presentations from those employed in agricultural and food science-related industries. First up, Anne O'Connor, a HR Graduate Recruitment Manager with the Kerry Group, offered invaluable advice on how to present CVs and outlined important interview skills. Anne described the mentored two-year graduate recruitment programme run by Kerry, including management development training, on- and off-the-job training and a transition-to-work programme.
Paul Crossan, Research Officer with Teagasc, graduated with a degree in engineering technology from UCD in 2001 and completed a PhD (and then a post-doc) on the modeling of beef production systems. He described a Walsh fellowship programme offered by Teagasc, open to two graduates yearly.
"Food is a happening thing," said Alan Heaney, Market Director Ireland/US for Keenan & Co Ltd. Alan graduated with an animal science degree in 1999, and was then employed as a nutrition adviser with Keenan. Alan says he never achieved high grades in college, but he worked his way to the top using confidence, integrity and honesty. He urged students to believe in themselves and adopt the right attitude.
Jim Devlin, PR Director of Financial Dynamics, graduated with a degree from UCD in 1984, and after completing a Master's, he trained as an accountant with KPMG. Jim joined the IFA in 1992 as director of policy development before moving into PR.
Damien Dempsey, Marketing Manager of Agricultural Science & Veterinary Medicine at UCD, says the agricultural science degree course is at capacity this year, with 250 students. Damien attributes this increase in demand to four factors: increasing career opportunities for graduates, the reputation of the programme, the changes taking place in the economic climate, and the increasing importance and dependence on the agri-food, nutrition and environmental sector to face major global challenges. Founded in 1942, the ASA is recognised by the Government as a negotiating body, dedicated to enhancing the professional interests of all members and graduates in agriculture, food, forestry, horticulture and the environmental sciences. In the business sphere, members work at all levels of food and drink production, agri-inputs, banking, stockbroking, property sales, advertising, farming, public relations and journalism.

(Irish Farmers Journal, Country Living (18/10/2008)

For more information contact us @ 01-4603682 or secretary@asaireland.ie