Laois native, Liam Whelan graduated from SETU’s Master of Science in Supply Chain Management during the 2025 conferring ceremonies in Carlow on 29 October.
Having previously completed a Bachelor of Business (Honours) in Supply Chain Management at SETU. This year, he graduated from the University’s Master of Science in Supply Chain Management, with the support of his colleagues at Eaton. Liam looks forward to applying all he has learned during his master's programme to the work he carries out at Eaton as Supply Chain Management Planner Buyer.
Working for a globally trading company
In his role at Eaton, Liam supports a power management plant based in Chicago. He works closely with suppliers in China and Taiwan, along with category managers in data analysis, aiding them with supplier negotiations.
When talking about his favourite part of working with the company full-time, Liam said, “The people I work with are by far the best part. I am fortunate to be a part of an amazing team that I can learn from every day. Eaton is a global organisation, so I get to connect daily with people from all around the world. My day usually consists of connecting with Asia in the morning and the US in the evening.”
I’m so grateful for my time at SETU. It is because of the University’s strong connection with industry that I am now in an exciting role gaining invaluable experience and developing my career.
Liam Whelan SETU Graduate
SETU work placement leads to employment
While studying his undergraduate degree at SETU, Liam completed a ten-week work placement module with Eaton, a power management company operating in more than 160 countries.
Speaking about his work experience, Liam said, “In year three of my undergraduate degree, I was required to complete 10-week internship within the supply chain industry. Eaton had a longstanding internship programme established with SETU, which was highlighted to me by my lecturers. I was delighted at the opportunity to gain experience with a company working on an international scale.”
“During my placement at Eaton, I supported the Global Category Manager and gained exposure to how a large multinational organisation like Eaton conducts their strategic sourcing and supplier selection process. After completing my internship, Eaton offered further work experience as I got the opportunity to present my battery project to the company’s Global Category Director.”
I learned so much from my work placement at Eaton. It allowed me to build my network and apply my learnings from college into real life practice. It also set me up to complete my dissertation the following year and allowed me to leverage connections I made at Eaton as part of my research.
Liam Whelan Speaking about his work placement at Eaton
After a successful internship, Liam was offered a full-time position at Eaton upon graduating.
Continued professional and academic growth
“I have been given amazing career development opportunities within Eaton. I have progressed into a new role, and I was encouraged to complete my master’s while working at Eaton. The company has kindly supported me in this endeavor,” Liam shared.
Reflecting on SETU
Liam looks back at his time at SETU with fond memories saying, “I was supported throughout my time at SETU by all my lecturers. I was given amazing opportunities to progress my career once I finished my degree. I also made lifelong friends during my time at SETU who I keep in regular contact with today.”
