Donald Piccione

Management and Leadership

Donegal – Letterkenny

Can you tell us your name, job title and the course you studied at ATU?

Donald Piccione, Digital Marketing Officer, Level 7 Certificate in Management and Leadership

Can you share your career path to date?

I have been working for the past two years as a Digital Marketing Officer at the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA) in Dublin. Prior to this, I spent two years as a Digital Marketing Manager with ActionAid Ireland, and before that, three years as a Digital Marketing Manager in the private sector with Radius Office Furniture.

What does your current role involve?

To be clear, my current role does not involve management tasks or responsibilities. In the tertiary sector, we use the title “officer.” I am responsible for managing the digital assets of NALA, which includes maintaining and updating the websites (content updates, fixes, SEO), overseeing social media content, and coordinating digital advertising. In addition, I handle photography and provide support during our conferences and Learners’ Awards.

What motivated you to start studying?

I enrolled in the Certificate in Management and Leadership course because, although my role at the time was managerial, I did not yet have experience as a manager. I often struggled with resolving team conflicts, motivating colleagues, and providing effective leadership. I wanted to strengthen these skills by learning more about management theory, techniques, and practical guidance.

Why did you choose this course from ATU?

I was searching online for a management course and discovered this programme, which was 90% funded by the Government. I immediately thought it was a great opportunity. In addition, I had heard that ATU is well known for offering excellent courses taught by experienced lecturers, which made the decision even more appealing.

How did you find the process of studying online? What elements did you find helpful? Were there elements you found challenging?

Prior to this course, I had already completed other online courses, so I was accustomed to learning in an online environment. With this course in particular, I found it very helpful to have an online portal where I could access live classes, watch recordings, and read study materials and resources. The structure of the course within the portal gave me a clear overview of the programme, which helped me organise my schedule over the months.

I also appreciated the availability of the lecturers throughout the programme. I could send an email with questions and always receive a reply, which made the learning experience more supportive.

The only element I found challenging was balancing full-time work during the day with evening classes, studying, and completing assessments. It was demanding, but ultimately worth the effort.

How did you balance work and study?

Like anyone working full-time Monday to Friday while studying online, it is essential to find balance—otherwise it simply won’t work. At higher levels, such as Level 7 and above, the course requires dedicated time for studying the materials and reflecting on what you learn during the online classes.

To manage this, I reduced distractions and limited the time I would normally spend going out or for my hobbies, instead optimising the hours available for study. Support from those around you is also crucial. For example, if you are married, your partner needs to understand and support the fact that you require time to study. At work, I was fortunate to have the support of my employer, who allowed me to start earlier and finish earlier so that I could get home in time to join the evening classes.

In terms of your employer, were they supportive of your decision to study? Were there elements of the course that were particularly relevant to your current employer?

I enrolled in the Certificate in Management and Leadership course before joining NALA, so I wouldn’t know if they were supportive or encouraging me to enrol. However, once they learned that I was already studying for this certificate, they were very supportive—for example, by giving me flexibility in my working hours so I could attend the online classes.

Although my current role is not at a managerial level, I still found many elements of the course helpful. It has supported me in dealing more effectively with managers and colleagues, and in demonstrating leadership within my work.

What advice would you have for anyone considering studying online?

Although a course may be delivered online, that does not mean it is easier or requires less effort than a traditional in-person programme. It is important to consciously allocate time for studying and reflecting on what you have learned in class. Staying organised and dedicating time to study each day helps prevent stress and ensures steady progress.

Being online does not limit interaction with lecturers—you can still reach out to ask questions or seek clarification on specific topics. If you are working while studying, it is crucial to connect what you are learning with real-life scenarios so you can begin applying the knowledge from day one.

In what way has studying online with ATU benefitted your career?

From an external viewpoint, in theory I should have progressed up the career ladder rather than moving from a manager role to an Officer role. However, I believe that studying with ATU has still greatly benefited my career. For example, when speaking with my manager or other managers, or when participating in meetings, I have management knowledge “up my sleeve.” This allows me to better understand the dynamics at play and to recognise when certain theories are being applied in interactions. Similarly, when collaborating within my team, I can draw on the principles I learned during the course to engage more effectively and demonstrate leadership.

Did this course provide any unexpected benefits to your career?

It definitely boosted my self-confidence when dealing with managers or senior roles both within and outside the organisation, as I now have greater knowledge of how to interact effectively and present myself with more assurance.

Did you find that the elements you were studying had practical relevance in your day-to-day role?

I can confidently say that what I studied has practical relevance, particularly when interacting with colleagues and external stakeholders.

What were the key skills you took away from your time studying at ATU?

Definitely, the different management and leadership theories, along with effective decision-making, teamwork, and strategies for enabling change, were particularly valuable.