Institute of Technology Carlow

DONAL MCALLISTER - BUSINESS

What course did you do?
National Diploma in Business Studies

What I liked about the course
I really appreciated the ability to complete my Diploma year in France. The cultural and educational benefits of that alone still stand to me today. Carlow also paved the way for me to complete my Marketing Degree in College of Marketing and Design in Dublin. It was in COMAD that I could see the quality of the education already received when compared to those who had started from scratch in Dublin.

So where am I now?
My career to date took me from Customer Service and Accounts representative for Gateway 2000, to Marketing Assistant/ Business Development rep for Clayton Love (Findus, McCain etc.) through to Marketing Manager for the Liffey Valley Shopping Centre for 3 years. This was my highest profile job with full responsibility for Advertising, Promotional activity, Community relations, Media etc.

I decided to change tack when I left Liffey Valley and worked for myself for a while in International Student Recruitment and have now, eventually, found myself coming full circle and working for IT Carlow. My job entails travelling to Non-EU countries to recruit students who are interested in IT Carlow’s programs. The countries include Russia, China and Pakistan. When I go to these countries I attend education exhibitions, seminars and speak directly to agents, parents and students.

What I liked about Carlow!
Carlow was great fun. I met some of my very best friends in Carlow and I met my wife. Carlow town holds great personal memories and from what I can see it is even better now, 14 years later!