Evan Maher

Agri-Business Management 

Mountbellew

Tell us a little bit about yourself and what led you to choosing your course? 

I found exams in secondary school difficult due to having bad dyslexia. This course suits my learning style as it focuses on practical classes on the working farm on the Mountbellew campus and continuous assessment. 

What are your favourite modules on the course? Please let us know why they’re your favourite modules to give prospective students an insight into your course!

I really enjoyed studying advanced dry stock management, advanced dairy management, and the marketing module during the first semester of the second year. We finish cattle on my home farm, so I found the beef aspect of dry stock management especially engaging. Dairy management also stood out to me, given that most farms in my area are involved in dairying. 

Is there anything else about your course that you particularly enjoy or find beneficial? e.g., work placements, practical projects, etc.

The work placement we go on in the 2nd year is beneficial to learn what sector of the agri-business industry you want to go into after graduation. 

What is the best thing about your course that you think new applicants should know?

The Mountbellew campus is small, which helps develop personal relationships with students and lecturers, both of whom are happy to help with any questions or concerns you may have. 

If you were speaking with a first-year student about to start your course, what advice/information would you give them? 

Do your Continuous Assessments (CAs) when you receive them, as they do pile up if you don’t keep on top of them. They are very beneficial for boosting your grade.  

If you are/were involved in sport, volunteering, working, or have other passions you pursue outside of your academic life, can you tell us about that (especially mention any teams, clubs, or awards)?

I took part in the inter-agricultural college hurling league this year in both 7 and 15 aside competitions. We won both of these games. It was great to represent ATU and brilliant craic! 

What are your plans after graduating? 

The range of skills you learn with this course is so broad that it’s hard to pinpoint one big career goal, as you could go in nearly any direction in the agricultural or business industries. But I could see myself opening up my own business at some point in the future