- In your words write a short summary about you and what you are up to now since your graduation?
Hi! My name is Alice Gleeson and I am from Templemore, Co. Tipperary. I graduated from Cork Institute of Technology with a first class honours last October where I studied Marketing for four years. I secured a position on the Multinational Programme on the Ibec Global Graduates programme in August. As part of this programme, I am undertaking a Postgraduate Certificate in Global Business from TU Dublin, while working as a Marketing and Communications intern in Ericsson.
- How did you acquire your current role?
I first applied for the Ibec Global Graduates programme in January 2020 and completed my personality assessments online shortly after. Once the pandemic hit in March, the remaining interviews were all virtual. I received confirmation that I acquired a position on this programme in early July and by the end of August, I had started my first day of work! This programme has presented me with many opportunities, and I am very grateful for the position that I am in.
- What are your responsibilities as a Marketing and Communications Intern at Ericsson?
My responsibilities here in Ericsson as a Marketing and Communications Intern include supporting the planning and execution of events such as the Dublin Tech Summit and London Climate Action Week. My responsibilities also include planning, managing, executing, and tracking progress of several marketing campaigns and activations. Furthermore, I distribute internal and external communications and support the creation of impactful customer experiences for multiple accounts, such as Vodafone Ireland and Telefónica. During my time here, I have also had the opportunity to strengthen my skills at Salesforce and develop a greater understanding of Marketo.
- What does a typical day working and studying at home look like for you?
I start work at 9am and finish around 5:30pm, depending on my workload for the day. In the evenings, I work on my assignments for my course. I must be organised outside of my work times to ensure I meet all my deadlines for my assignments, reflections, and reports. I found that establishing a good working from home routine early on in my internship has really helped me in having a good work life balance. I make time for myself during the day by going for walks and getting fresh air in during my lunch break. Now that the days are staying brighter for longer, it makes it easier to do this. I like to have this structure in my day as I feel like it helps keep me organised and focused.
- What is something you know now that you wish you knew when you had graduated?
This time last year I felt like I was very absorbed in getting everything right from the beginning. I now realise that mistakes lead to learning opportunities, no matter how big or small, which has improved my standard of work. I have recently discovered that when you’re working outside of your comfort zone, you need to welcome learning opportunities as they come your way. E.g. direct mentorship from colleagues and opportunities to network with colleagues from across the world.
- What is your plan for the future?
In the future, I hope to work with a team as supportive and driven as my colleagues in Ericsson. I also hope to grow in confidence in the workplace. The modules that I am undertaking as part of my Postgraduate Certificate are highly rewarding and I strive to put all the knowledge I have gained from them into practice in the future.
- What is your top tip for applying to the Ibec Global Graduate Scheme?
If you’re considering applying for the Ibec Global Graduate programme, I would strongly recommend reaching out to people who are in the type of roles you’re interested in and ask for their feedback and their thoughts of their experience. Consider why you’re applying for a certain role and see if you can imagine yourself in it. Most importantly, have confidence in yourself. I would highly recommend the Multinational Programme to anyone would like to kick-start their career with this amazing learning opportunity.
Please feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn and send me as message with any questions you may have. I would be delighted to help!
