The masters in Global business in UCD Smurfit is something that 18 months ago, I wouldn’t have started to consider applying for. The thought of further education past my undergraduate course was as far away as I could dream of. Yet here I sit, typing out this blog about the decision to take a 23 month Master’s program and hopefully turn it into one of the best decisions I could make in my life.
This program in UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School incorporates both a level 9 master’s degree in International Business, but also work placement in Bord Bia, the state agency responsible for promoting Irish food, drink and horticulture suppliers throughout the world.
When I first researched about the course, my first impression would be that the program would be college focused with an element of work placement every few weeks. I’m glad to say that the course couldn’t be further away from that first impression that I had. Yes the college element is a major role of the program, after all it is a Master’s from one of the top schools in Europe. Yet the college work takes a back seat for large parts of the 23 months as I’m immersed in the food and drink industry whilst in the Bord Bia office.
With the program starting in early July, it left me with a relatively short window from finishing my end of college exams in UCD Agricultural Science, finding out I had been accepted to the master’s program and try to recharge the batteries and ready myself for the next chapter of my career.
Our first day of the program was a Monday, the 8th of July. The group of 32 international graduates, 20 marketing fellowship students, 10 origin green ambassadors and 8 supply chain & procurement students all filed into the Creative Workshop. This group of 70 students are all currently undertaking programs In UCD Smurfit in partnership with Bord Bia, which is the largest ever investment in a talent program by Bord Bia.
The first 3 days was an information overload. Days one and two consisted of welcomes to the program and all about what it is that Bord Bia do. With a mix of nerves from starting a new career path along with trying to remember everyone’s name in the course, you can be forgiven for certain things going over your head. Day 3 was when we met with the CEO of Bord Bia, Tara McCarthy who welcomed us all to the offices. In her presentation to us, she mentioned that students on talent programs in the past have added great value to Bord Bia, and that she’s hopeful that we can bring the same, (no pressure like).
The future of the food & drink industry
That week, we also completed our first module in Smurfit Business School. It was daunting enough walking into Smurfit for our first lecture without having to do a 10 credit module in just 3 days. The college experience I had from my undergraduate was miles away from this. Lectures started at 9 am and we were still in them at 5 pm in the evening! I’ll admit when reading the module titles, I felt a bit overwhelmed by the whole thing, feeling as if I was the only person that didn’t have any background knowledge or experience in the topics. However there were lots of my fellow graduates that also had little or no experience with the course content. I guess that’s the whole point of the whole course, you don’t need to have a background in business when doing it.
Within in the cohort of 32 global graduates, very few studied an undergraduate degree that is directly related to business. I myself studied Animal & Crop Production in UCD. Some people studied politics and arts, others studied law and media. There was no requirement for any specific undergraduate course when applying. Once the person applying was forward thinking and had a genuine interest in Irish food and drink, then they were as entitled as anyone else to apply for the program.
I walked into the office ion the first day, not knowing what sector or department I would be working in. I knew I was going to be based in the Dublin office, which I was content enough about. Personally I’m a home bird and with being based only 2 hours away from home, I knew I would be able to come home at the weekends, which I delighted about. It was on day 2 of information overload that I learned that I would be working in the meat and livestock team. I had singled out either the dairy or meat as sectors that I would have liked to be involved in, given the background I have in agriculture.
Looking back now over 6 months into the role, I definitely think that the talent team placed me in the right sector. Within the meat and livestock sector, I think you need to have a good understanding of the industry. It’s a challenging one and came under a lot of scrutiny in 2019, with beef prices in particular under the spotlight.
Attending GIRA's Meat Seminar in Geneva with Padraig Brennan, Sectors Director
In the first 2 weeks, the group of 32 global graduates completed two of the eight modules on the program. A fairly intensive start to the degree, but one which I think now in hindsight benefited us all. As we are all going to be working in a challenging and ever changing industry, it was good to see us all getting involved and engaging with the course as soon as possible.
After the 2 weeks of intensive learning out in Smurfit College, I felt glad to get back into the office and away from the lectures. We spent next few days learning more about particular sectors and departments. It was at that point that I met my manager for the first time, the sector manager for Meat & Livestock Joe Burke. It’s clear that the managers take the time to read up about their graduate, as he was able to tell me where I had been on previous work placements for college and what my background was. That to me showed that although were primarily completing a masters course, Bord Bia show a clear interest in the talent that they recruit, with a view to ensuring that we get the most out of the program, to set us up for a future within the industry.
The 2 weeks after college were great. We were free from any kind of responsibility. Deadlines for the assignments were months away and the evenings were still warm. The group of global graduates had different days both in the office and out of it. We received Excel and PowerPoint training, marketing training and had an away day on the UCD Lyons Research farm. There was also a day spent learning all about the industry from Dr. Karina Pierce. As we would all be immersed in the day, I think that these learning days were crucial, I mentioned above having a basic understanding of the industry is critical, and these away days I feel really helped.
By having a cohort of 31 other young, like minded people doing the same course, there is a real buzz within the group. We’re all anxious to start in work, to make a good impression with our managers and the rest of our respective teams. I think looking back that the global grads really need to bond within the first few weeks, especially when everyone is based in Dublin. You need to have a good rapport with the rest of the group. The global grads are in a lot of cases the communication link between all the Bord Bia offices. Managers are busy, and in some instances it will fall on the grads to organize different events/ meetings with other offices. By making the effort to engage with all the people in the course during the first month, it makes the working environment a lot easier down the line.
After four weeks of learning, both in the office and in the lecture, it was time to begin my role as the Meat & Livestock graduate. The outgoing graduate is important in the first 2 weeks at your desk, as they really are responsible for showing you the ropes of the job. The graduate hand over needs to be as fluid and seamless as possible. It will take some time to get up to speed with all the various tasks and activities that grads are assigned. I will say that the environment in the office is one that is open to answer any question you have. It’s impossible for a new person in a role they have had no experience in before to know everything. So I would say that asking if you don’t know isn’t something that anybody incoming into the role should be afraid of. The team that you are with are happy to help you with any query that you have. I knew that I was constantly poking my head over the desk asking my co-workers about where different files are on the server/who I should talk to in different sectors. They were once in my shoes, fresh into the job and glad of any assistance they can get.
Representing Bord Bia at a farmer meeting
The first month at the desk is a “finding your feet in the office” exercise. You will make mistakes and errors, but it’s a matter how you learn from them. I know I’ve done tasks wrong and only added extra work for myself. The team is happy to give you a large amount of responsibility early on, which I think is important. We are all adults in the course, and in order for us to get the most out of the opportunity that we have been given to get a good foothold in the industry, we need to be exposed to as much as soon as possible. I quickly was involved in buyer meetings and meat related projects in the office. The managers will monitor how you get on with different tasks, and in doing that they will learn, as well as yourself what you are capable of.
I found myself getting into a routine very quickly, which is a sign of settling in well at the role. I’ve been asked to represent Bord Bia at various events, speak at seminars, travel to Europe with farmer groups and head up projects in Dublin. The role so far has brought me on leaps and bounds in my own personal growth, which the program aim to do whilst gaining experience in the industry.
Presenting at Beef & Sheep stockjudging awards in Cork
I would say to anyone that is successful in getting a place on the Global Graduate course, that no matter whatever office you are based in, you have to come in full of enthusiasm for the job. I know it sounds cliché but it really is true. Stepping into a course like this is different to many graduate programs, as you combine the experience of Bord Bia and the academic stature of UCD Smurfit school.
To summarize briefly, the first 60 days won’t define you for the duration of the course, but it’s a time period that you should really try to make the most of. Introduce yourself, ask questions, show initiative, make decisions, make mistakes, learn from mistakes, learn from others, teach others, and most of all, be proud of yourself that you’re in this this graduate program.
If you want to really develop yourself as a person, whilst receiving a master’s education, along with gaining invaluable experience in Ireland’s largest indigenous industry, networking with various companies and individuals that can impact the next stage of your career and create lifelong friendships with a group of like-minded young people, then look no further than here...
To find out more about the program, and how to go about applying for the global graduate course, starting in 2021, please click here.