Learning from experience 
05 November 2014
Organised by the Development and Alumni Relations Office in collaboration with Careers, Employability and Skills, Queen’s University Management School (QUMS) and the School of Law, two expert careers evenings took place in late October.
Five graduates working in London and Belfast took part in a finance panel session chaired by Professor John Turner from QUMS at an event in Riddel Hall on Monday 27 October. And the following evening five law graduates shared their expertise in a panel discussion entitled - What it takes to succeed in Law in the City, chaired by Dr David Capper, a Queen’s graduate and Reader in the School of Law for the past 25 years.
The Monday night panellists came from the corporate finance, forensic technology and mining sectors. Over 80 students from various academic disciplines were given an intriguing insight into the variety of career options available along with tips on making the most of their time at Queen’s to improve their job prospects. Panel presentations were followed by a lively Q&A session and a networking opportunity when students were able to pick up some one-to-one advice.
Several Queen’s Young City Leaders were also in attendance to share experiences of their own City placements in June with both students and the graduate experts.
Tuesday’s Law Panel evening took place in the Canada Room in the Lanyon Building on the main campus. The audience was made up of 44 law students who were given an impressive overview of the careers open to them along with advice from the panellists, all of whom were Queen’s graduates.
Addressing students, Mark Mulholland QC, said: “The global legal market is now open to everyone here in Northern Ireland and there is enormous potential out there. Queen’s graduates are readily exportable and marketable.”
The budding lawyers were also advised to establish strong working relationships, to grasp every opportunity coming their way and to seek work experience in as many areas as possible before making a final career choice.
Finance students were given similar advice at the Riddel Hall event when they were encouraged to network, to recognise their own personal strengths and not to undersell themselves.
Panellist Declan Tiernan, Managing Director, Oak Hill Advisors, commented: “Graduates from Queen’s have gone to London and been very successful. The City is full of Irish people and we are good at talking, which is a really important skill. So back yourself, have faith and confidence, and you can succeed!”
Speaking about the latest alumni-student initiatives, Ian Moore, Head of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving said: “Career panels such as these are proof positive of the valuable role played by graduates in supporting the student experience. On behalf of everyone involved – students and staff – I’d like to thank all our panellists for giving of their time and expertise over both evenings.”
Finance Panellists:
Suzanne Allen, Corporate Finance/Forensic Technology, Deloitte LLP
Darina Armstrong, Chief Executive, Progressive Building Society
John Healy, Director, Citi/Head of Citi’s Services Centre, Belfast, Citi Groups
Jim Rutherford, Non-executive Director, Anglo American plc.
Declan Tiernan, Managing Director, Oak Hill Advisors
John Turner – Acting Head, Queen's University Management School
Law Panellists:
Viv Harty, Partner, McCartan, Turkington, Breen
Rita Duffy, Partner & Head of Banking, CMS Cameron McKenna LLP
Richard Gray, Partner & Head of Corporate, Carson McDowell Solicitors
Philip Young, Associate, Covington & Burling LLP
Mark Mulholland QC, Former Chairman of the Bar Council, Bar Library
Dr David Capper, Reader, School of Law
For further information on the Queen's Young City Leaders’ Society and the City Scholarship Programmes contact Rachael Sands (028 9097 3233 or email r.sands@qub.ac.uk).
Media inquiries to Gerry Power, Communications Officer, Development and Alumni Relations Office - tel: +44 (0)28 9097 5321 or g.power@qub.ac.uk
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