The UCD Agriculture, Food Science & Human Nutrition Careers Day took place on Wednesday, 12th of February 2025. The annual event, organised by students for students, was lucky enough to welcome Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Healy-Rae to open this year’s event.
Careers Committee member James Higgins welcomed Professor Karina Pierce who represented the school, welcomed and thanked all the guests here today and introduced Minister Minister Healy-Rae.
Minister Healy-Rae provided a keynote address to the final year undergraduate students with Mr Neil Keane, Head of Agriculture at FRS Co-op, Ms Susan Maher, President ASA and Mr Christopher Cahill, FBD Young Farmer of the Year all providing insightful accounts of their personal experiences and encouraging words and advice to take forward on the next stages of their journeys.
Before addressing the students Minister Healy-Rae commented; "I really believe that our students that are here today; they're our future. They're the most important, integral thing that we have because for us to have a sustainable agriculture in the future, we need people like these young people here today." "these are beautiful young people, from good families with a great education and world is truly their oyster."
He continued by saying that he is "so delighted and so grateful to see so many excellent companies and employers here; these could be your future employers and some day you could be standing there as CEO of one of those companies".
He finished with some advice; "If you keep your head down and do what your good, you can get anywhere in life. You have all the ingredients of everything in front of you”.
UCD alumnus, Christopher Cahill who was announced the FBD Farmer of the Year for 2024 addressed the audience on his experiences of studying Agricultural Science at UCD and this career journey since graduating.
Christopher is a Dairy Business graduate as well as completing the MSc in Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development. He ownsCavan Grassland Consultancy, a grass measurement and management service provider across the north midlands area.
Offering some advice for the students he said: “My advice to the class of 2025 is to always remember the relationships and connections you've made here in UCD and don't be afraid to lean on them when you need to. Work hard and don't be afraid to seek opportunities because the degree and the knowledge that you have got from your time on UCD will enable you to achieve anything you set your mind to."
The UCD Agriculture, Food Science and Human Nutrition Careers Day is a long-established event and is an important opportunity for soon-to-be graduates of the various programmes to connect and network with potential future employers. Nearly 50 exhibitors attended the event, providing students with an excellent opportunity to speak with representatives from a wide range of organisations across the agriculture and food industries.
First established in 1923, The UCD Agricultural Science Society, known as AgSoc is one of the largest societies at University College Dublin and has a long history of donating substantial sums to worthy causes. Since 2017, its members have helped raise over €450,000 for charities and good causes.
AgSoc has the huge task of organising Careers Day, and any proceeds raised go towards charities chosen by the students. This year, their chosen charities are Make the Moove and the Dillon Quirke Foundation.
In her speech, Emily Cassells Chairperson, Agricultural Science Careers Committee said, "I'm delighted to see so many students here today supporting todays event. Im absolutely delighted to see the ammount of companies that have come here today and have continued to support this Careers event as it is a student event - run for students, by students."
Prof. Frank Monahan, Dean of Agriculture and Head of School, UCD School of Agriculture & Food Science was unable to join the students today however Professor Karina Pierce addressed the students and acknowledged that "this is a really special event in the calendar for students every year and the tremendous effort that goes into running the event by AgSoc and all the students associated with the it that has brought over 40 companies to UCD today."
With the huge range of programmes within the school of Agriculture and Food Science she stated that all the 4th years at the Careers Fair from Crop Science to Dairy Business to Ag Systems Technology to Human Nutrition and Food Science are an integral part of the future of the agrifood sector.
During the event, Susan Maher, President of the ASA (Agricultural Science Association) and UCD Ag Science alumni, made a formal presentation to the winners of the ASA Mock Interviews. ASA coordinates the Mock Interview Series annually to provide students with an opportunity to practise and improve their interview skills as part of their ongoing professional development.
This year a record number, over 90 students attended the mock interviews and before presenting the awards, Susan offered some key words of wisdom as someone who walked in their shoes only a few years previously - she said “ Give it a try, what do you have to lose! Keep an ear close to the ground; a mentor will be key in your professional and personal development; they will challenge and push you and give you the honest answer, not just what you want to hear. Keep studying, keep learning, continue your education and broaden yourself.”
