Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) recently marked the successful conclusion of its WISDOM mentorship initiative, a transformative programme designed to foster professional development and career readiness for students in science. The event celebrated the efforts of DkIT alumni, who played a pivotal role in guiding students through career advice, industry insights, and leadership opportunities.
The WISDOM programme, funded by N-TUTORR, aimed to bridge the gap between academic learning and practical industry experience. It offered students the chance to connect with mentors from a range of fields, including research, regulatory affairs, and manufacturing. Mentors from notable companies such as Almac, Poolbeg Pharma, WuXi Biologics, and LinkedIn provided invaluable expertise, helping mentees navigate their career paths with confidence.
Throughout the programme, students were equipped with essential tools and resources to support their career growth, including goal-setting journals and career development planning. These resources were integrated with DkIT’s Graduate Attributes and Employability Frameworks, ensuring that mentees developed the skills needed to excel in their professional lives.
The event brought together mentors and mentees, allowing them to celebrate their achievements and share insights. It also provided an opportunity to reflect on the programme’s impact and explore future possibilities for mentorship initiatives. DkIT President Dr Diarmuid O’Callaghan opened the event, highlighting the profound influence of the N-TUTORR programme on DkIT and other higher education institutions across Ireland.
Mentees shared heartfelt testimonials about how the programme had shaped their professional journeys, empowering them to take ownership of their futures. With the success of the pilot, the mentorship model is now being considered for expansion across other disciplines at DkIT.
Programme co-ordinator Dr Sinéad Loughran expressed her pride in the initiative, acknowledging the contributions of DkIT’s alumni network, Careers and Employability team, and motivated students. She emphasised the importance of collaboration between students, alumni, and staff in achieving the programme’s success.
Student mentee Vaclav Uhlir reflected on the personal growth he experienced throughout the programme, stating that the insights gained had given him greater confidence as he progressed towards his future career.
In closing, the WISDOM initiative has proven to be a valuable asset in shaping the careers of science students at DkIT and stands as a model that can be adapted and expanded to benefit students across other disciplines.
Poolbeg Pharma plc (LON:POLB) is a clinical stage infectious disease pharmaceutical company, with a novel capital light clinical model which enables us to develop multiple products faster and more cost effectively than the traditional biotech model.
