Bachelor of Business (Hons) in Business Information Systems (BIS) students completed a flexible semester as part of their programme, in which they got a taste of the working world through internships.
This flexible semester takes place in year three of the programme, and students have the option to partake in work placement, international study or a start-up lab. Charlie, David, Ethan, Shane and Emma chose the work placement option, and now reflect on their transformative experiences.
Charlie Coad - Ultimate Kronos Group (UKG), Kilkenny
Third year student Charlie Coad worked at Ultimate Kronos Group for his internship, from January to August 2025. UKG are a payroll technology provider based in the United States, who have a technology hub in Kilkenny, where Charlie worked as a Junior Project Manager within the Business’s Onboarding Team.
“My role involved managing small-scale onboarding projects solo and assisting with large scale onboarding projects which onboarded over 200 employees. I led weekly meetings with clients and team members, coordinated the deliverables and ensured action items were completed on schedule.” Charlie explained.
Charlie enjoyed the collaboration with different departments: “I worked closely with my manager and with teams such as Solution Consultants, Payments, Operations and Integrations. These teams were geographically dispersed throughout Ireland, Bulgaria and the UK.”
Reflecting on his time at UKG, Charlie said, “I learned so much from this experience and was able to apply what I had learned from my Business Information Systems degree and utilise it practically. Modules like Managing Information Systems Projects and Operations Management gave me the knowledge to take on this role. I developed new skills and am more confident in my abilities. While my experience in global payroll helped me refine my analytical and cross-functional skills, it ultimately clarified my strong interest in potentially pursing Project Management moving forward.
David Cheasty - Sun Life, Waterford
David Cheasty completed his work placement with Sun Life, in the United States IT Division. David’s role involved shadowing professionals across three key areas: IT Portfolio Management, Disaster Recovery/Business Continuity, and Application Support.
Describing how he contributed to those teams, David said: “In IT Portfolio Management, I assisted an engineer with technology lifecycle management, infrastructure upgrades, and cybersecurity initiatives. Within the Disaster Recovery/Business Continuity team, I maintained and updated documentation, ensuring preparedness for potential disruptions. In Application Support, I gained practical experience in system triage and issue resolution, contributing directly to daily support operations.”
Collaborating within a global team appealed to David: “Working closely with teams in Waterford and the United States, I developed strong communication and teamwork skills. I engaged with senior IT leaders, including the Chief Information Officer and Vice Presidents. I also completed short online courses in Agile methodologies and AWS Cloud Essentials.”
Reflecting on his time at Sun Life, David said: “This placement has significantly enhanced my confidence, professionalism, and problem-solving ability. It has reaffirmed my interest in pursuing a career in IT project management or cybersecurity. Overall, my Sun Life experience has been transformative, shaping both my academic and professional ambitions.”
Emma Lye – Digital IT Internship, Sanofi, Waterford
Emma Lye completed her work placement as Digital IT Intern at Sanofi in Waterford. A leading global pharmaceutical company, Emma spent eight months as part of the Digital Team, supporting the
maintenance, security and improvement of digital systems that enable Sanofi’s laboratory and manufacturing operations.
Emma gained a vast amount of experience as part of Sanofi’s Digital Team: “I processed, approved, and tracked user access requests through Footprints and gained experience in SAP system monitoring, troubleshooting iDocs, and performing daily stock and traceability checks to ensure system accuracy. I contributed to cyber resilience projects, updating endpoint protection systems, scanning PCs with Trend Micro, and upgrading Acronis versions across lab machines.”
Emma’s internship brought her to new heights: “One of the most memorable experiences was taking part in Sanofi’s charity abseil at Croke Park, helping to raise over €50,000 for the Solas Cancer Support Centre. Facing my fear of heights for such a worthy cause was both challenging and rewarding.”
Reflecting on her time at Sanofi, Emma said: “Seeing how technology drives efficiency and safety in a global pharmaceutical company inspired me to pursue a career in digital transformation, IT project management, or cybersecurity. Overall, this experience has confirmed my passion for technology and strengthened my ambition to build a career in a collaborative, innovative, and purpose-driven environment.”
Shane O’Brien - Alan Galibert Cars, Waterford
In his third year, Shane O’Brien completed his work placement at Alan Galibert Cars, a family-run car sales business in Waterford. Shane was already familiar with the team and operations, having previously worked there part-time, but this full-time placement allowed him to take on greater responsibility as Sales, Finance and Marketing Executive.
Shane’s role involved handling customer enquiries, managing finance applications, maintaining sales data, and producing marketing and social media content. “Working closely with a small team helped me build strong communication skills. We shared tasks, discussed targets, and supported each other in achieving company goals. I enjoyed the fast-paced nature of the sales environment, where every day brought new challenges. The process of selling a car was especially rewarding, and I developed a deeper appreciation for customer service.” Shane discussed.
Reflecting on the success he achieved, Shane commented: “My marketing strategies included managing the company’s TikTok page, which resulted in over 210,000 views and a strong increase in engagement. This experience has boosted my confidence and shaped my career ambitions. I discovered a passion for sales and marketing, and I now see myself pursuing a career in the automotive industry or digital marketing. The offer of a permanent position with Alan Galibert Cars after graduation is a testament to how much I have grown through this placement.”
Ethan Sullivan - Glanbia Global Technology Centre, Kilkenny
Ethan Sullivan, completed his placement at Glanbia Global Technology Centre in Kilkenny, as part of the Digital+ Team. His role primarily involved website content management, platform maintenance, and supporting digital campaigns across multiple brands such as Avonmore, Tirlán, and Optimum Nutrition.
Ethan discussed his daily tasks at Glanbia: “I gained hands-on experience with WordPress, Drupal, Shopify, and Elementor, while also learning how to use OneTrust for cookie compliance and Yoast for search engine optimisation (SEO). My daily tasks varied widely, from uploading product pages, blog posts, and campaign content to conducting website audits, ensuring accessibility compliance, and improving SEO performance. I was involved in creative projects, such as designing the “Our Farmers” page for Avonmore’s QR code campaign, and building promotional pages for new product launches.”
Working within a team enhanced Ethan’s skills: “This taught me how to communicate during client calls, work with developers to solve technical issues, and manage time efficiently when handling multiple projects. I took on more responsibility when my manager was away, which boosted my confidence and independence.”
Reflecting on his time on placement, Ethan said: "This experience has had a significant impact on my career ambitions. I’ve developed an interest in digital marketing, web development, and UX design and now hope to pursue a career in digital strategy or front-end development. The skills and confidence I’ve gained at Glanbia has prepared me for the next steps in my professional journey.”
