My name is Rían Doyle, and I’ve recently completed a master’s in management and marketing at Cork University Business School, UCC. Before this, I studied Economics and Sociology as part of my undergraduate degree, also at UCC. I chose this master’s because it offered the perfect balance between strategic business management and marketing insight, while also providing the flexibility to explore different career paths. While marketing has always intrigued me, I preferred to maintain a broader range of career options. This course, with its combined focus on management and marketing, offered exactly that flexibility. The diverse range of modules and the opportunity to undertake a six-month work placement were key factors in my decision.
As part of the programme, I completed my placement with PM Group, an international project delivery company specialising in engineering, architecture, and project management. I worked as a Student Project Controller, where I was given hands-on responsibility from the start. My main duties included supporting the Resource Hours Tracking (RHT) process, contributing to the development of a new Earned Value (EV) Excel tool to better monitor project performance, and assisting with connectivity control as well as the setup of projects and work orders.
This role offered me hands-on experience in the financial and operational oversight of complex engineering projects. It was rewarding to see how the theories and concepts from my academic background translated into real-world applications. I strengthened my skills in project coordination, data analysis, and teamwork, while gaining exposure to the inner workings of large-scale project delivery. The culture at PM Group was incredibly supportive, and the experience played a key role in shaping my confidence and clarity as I prepare to begin my career.
One of the most rewarding parts of the experience was seeing how the concepts we study in college come to life in a real-world setting. Being able to connect the theory from lectures with practical, day-to-day tasks was genuinely fulfilling. It gave real purpose to all the effort I had put into my studies—suddenly, everything I had been learning had context. Applying those ideas in a working environment not only reinforced my understanding but also gave me a clearer sense of how they fit into the bigger picture of how businesses operate.
Overall, my placement experience was incredibly rewarding, both professionally and personally. It gave me clarity about the kind of work I enjoy and the environment I want to be part of. I’m proud to say that my time with PM Group has led to a graduate role offer, which I’ve gladly accepted. I’m now excited to take the next step in my career with a company that has already invested in my growth and given me the confidence to hit the ground running.