Brian Mooney – How to select your Career path
Educated at Oatlands College (1961-71), Brian entered UCD in 1973 studying Politics, Economics and Philosophy, graduating in 1976. He returned to serve as teacher and Guidance Counsellor at Oatlands College for 43 years. He retired in October 2019, ending an association with the college stretching back 58 years. Following his retirement, Brian was appointed by “Standard Life”, as Ireland’s first “End of Career Guidance Counsellor” to support those approaching retirement in ensuring that they develop a sense of purpose, a fulfilling second life, balancing their personal, emotional, and psychological, social and financial needs.
He has been a regular columnist and analyst on educational matters for the Irish Times for the past twenty years. He was appointed to the “Education Finance Board” on its establishment by the Oireachtas to manage a fund of €12.8 million on behalf of the former residents of institutional care. He served for six years in this role. Brian was appointed to lecture on and co-ordinate the Higher Diploma in Religious Education in UCD, from 1986-2002, while continuing to teach religious education, commerce, and business studies in Oatlands College. Qualified as a Guidance Counsellor following further postgraduate studies in UCD in 1996 and was appointed Guidance Counsellor in Oatlands College in 1998. Elected President of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors in 2001, a position he was re-elected to in 2004-2006. Had several books published over the years, including his most recent one, “Start Your Career Journey Here”, published in 2014. Managing Editor of “Ireland’s Yearbook of Education” for the past eight years. Awarded an honorary PhD in Education by the National University of Ireland (NUI) in November 2019, in recognition of his lifetime’s contribution to Irish education.
Jacqueline Mellett - Schools Liaison Officer, ATU
Jacqueline Mellett, School’s Liaison Officer will speak about the range of programmes Atlantic Technological University (ATU) offer, alternative pathways, student supports and lots more.
Brie Staunton - Cyber Security Automation Engineer, Hewlett Packard Enterprise
Brie Staunton currently works as a Cyber Security Automation Engineer at Hewlett Packard Enterprise. She started her career with HPE 6 years ago following her graduation with a BSc in Computer Science and Software Engineering. Her previous roles include Infrastructure Support, Operational Engineering, and Threat Detection. During her time with HPE Brie has expanded her knowledge and training through various programs, from industry leading organizations such as SANS and ISC2. She has also obtained a postgraduate diploma in Cybersecurity. Brie is a longtime member and current Chairperson of Women in Security (WiS), an internal employee group focused on raising awareness of the different aspects of Security, promoting inclusion and diversity, creating awareness of the career progression opportunities within HPE, and maximizing individual potential in order to maintain and grow new talent to the sector.
Sarah Geraghty - Director of Student Recruitment and Outreach, University of Galway
Sarah is Director of Student Recruitment and Outreach at University of Galway and has over 15 years’ experience in student recruitment in the higher education sector in Ireland. This talk will introduce students to University of Galway and explore the range of undergraduate courses available. It will cover courses, careers, the student experience and campus life. It will also showcase student and graduate journeys and how a University of Galway degree leads to exceptional employability with global impact.
Miriam Walsh, GRETB Guidance Counsellor Full-time & Part-time courses, Apprenticeships and traineeships.
Miriam Walsh is a Guidance Counsellor working with the GRETB Guidance Service, which provides free, confidential and impartial career and educational support for young people (aged 16+) and adults across Galway and Roscommon.
She has been working in GRETB since 2017. Previously she worked in media, training in community and international education.
Miriam is a qualified Guidance Counsellor and is passionate about working with people to provide them with individual advice and support.
Note: Miriam will cover all areas of GRETB including full-time and part-time courses, apprenticeships, and traineeships.
Rayna O’Connor - BSc (RGN), PgDip (Clinical Education), MMEd (Medical Education), PGDip Nursing Education (RNT), PgDip H
Mary is a Professional Officer at the Education, Policy and Standards Department at the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland. Mary has extensive experience in general nursing, midwifery, neonatal intensive care nursing, public health nursing, nurse management and education and has worked in various healthcare settings both here and in the UK. Mary holds a level 9 post graduate certificate in education and training and has extensive experience supporting students from undergraduate programmes for nursing and midwifery as well as public health nursing.
Nia Northime - Cybersecurity Analyst, Hewlett Packard Enterprise
Nia Northime is a Cybersecurity Analyst at Hewlett Packard Enterprise. She started her career journey at HPE in 2021 by completing an 11-month internship and was then kept on as a junior analyst. Nia graduated with Bachelor of Arts in Geography and Information Technology in NUI Galway due to her interest in both fields. Following completion of her BA, she decided to continue her studies into IT and completed a MSc in Computer Science at UCD. Nia\'s role within HPE\'s cybersecurity team involves security monitoring for employees across the world, incident response, malware analysis, phishing investigation and computer forensics. HPE has allowed Nia to continue her studies into the cyber field and she has completed certificates in Computer Forensics and Cybercrime with Digital Forensics with Munster Technological University. She is the current Communications Chair of HPE\'s Women in Security (WiS) group that helps promote diversity and inclusion within the security sector.
