Niamh Conaghan

Bachelor of Business (Honours) in Marketing with Online Technologies

Donegal – Letterkenny

Tell us a little bit about yourself and what led you to choosing your degree.
I first joined ATU when it was LYIT to study General Nursing. During my studies, Covid started which made all lecturers go online. I soon realised when taken away from the day-to-day interactions at college that nursing wasn’t for me. So I had a look at every college in Ireland to see what courses were available. In the end I kept gravitating towards Marketing here at ATU, the modules looked interesting, it could be completed in three years, and I’d leave with a level 8 honours degree.  

What was your overall experience of studying at ATU Donegal?
Overall experience of studying both nursing and now marketing is positive. From personal experience the lecturers are helpful. I know other students who have transferred to ATU from other colleges, and they mentioned how other colleges the lecture-student interactions were minimal, and they felt like a number. Any questions I have I know the lectures here at ATU are only an email away and they are glad to help. They see potential in us students and push us so we could get the most from our college experience.

Why did you choose to study your programme?
As I said previously the course outline is what inspired me. I was so unsure on what I wanted to do and felt lost, but from seeing what career opportunities marketing had to offer I was sold. While creativity is a big aspect there are also career options that are more numbers based but overall it was the abundance of jobs opportunities that inspired me. 

Were you part of any student clubs and societies, an award winner, or a scholarship recipient?
I have been nominated to receive an award sponsored by the department of business studies for the best final year student in marketing and management, which is a great opportunity. 

Did you have any unique experiences while being a student at ATU Donegal?
I got the opportunity to travel to Cyprus for a week, with my lecture and my classmate for an Erasmus program, to give us the skillset on how to become a great entrepreneur. This was an amazing opportunity not only to learn from the professionals, but I was also inspired by the other members attending. They were from all over the world, and it was a motivator for my career seeing how ambitious they were, and great to have more connections. 

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?
If I was to go back to younger me and give them some advice on how to have the best college experience at ATU, I would say attend lectures because it makes life a lot easier in the long run but also take on as many opportunities as you can. Join the clubs and societies, meet new people, and while college life can be overwhelming, the ATU provide great support to help you along the way.