UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science GRADUATE HANDBOOK 2019 PRODUCED BY THE AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE CAREERS COMMITTEE Generously sponsored by Grow Your Career Through FRS Recruitment The leading Agri-Food Recruitment Specialists for over 30 years CAREER OPPORTUNITIES • Accountancy & Finance • Sales & Marketing • Quality Assurance • Production Management • Farm Management (Middle East) CONTACT OUR AGRI-RECRUITERS John 087 995 5439 [email protected] Gerry 086 464 8449 www.frsrecruitment.com [email protected] FRS Recruitment Career Opportunities A4 Ad.indd 1 05/02/2019 08:56 UCD 2019 Bachelor of Agricultural Science (BAgrSc) Bachelor of Human Nutrition (BSc) Bachelor of Food Science (BSc) UCD GRADUATE HANDBOOK 2019 Produced by UCD Agricultural Science Careers Committee 3 UCD 2019 Acknowledgements The Agricultural Science Careers Committee would like to thank everybody who generously helped in the preparation for Careers Day 2019. It is no small feat to hold an event of this size and there are many people responsible for its success. Many thanks the Dean of Agriculture Professor Alex Evans and Dr Eileen Gibney for their support. Thank you to Damien Dempsey in particular, who have worked on this event for the last number of months. And thanks to all the other staff from the School of Agriculture and Food Science Programme Office; Iris Burke; Catherine Byrne; Paddy Glennon; Elaine Gannon and Irene Rose. We would like to acknowledge the companies who have given sponsorship and donations to the committee, with a special mention to FRS who sponsored this year’s Graduate Booklet as they have for many years past. We would like to thank all the companies and businesses who attended on the day, without whom, Careers Day 2019 would not be possible. 4 Table of Contents UCD 2019 Contents Acknowledgments ................................................................................................................................................... 4 Agenda ...................................................................................................................................................................... 6 Foreword from the Dean of Agriculture .............................................................................................................. 7 Foreword from the Chairperson of the Careers Committee ............................................................................. 8 Careers Committee ................................................................................................................................................. 9 Animal and Crop Production ................................................................................................................................ 10 Agricultural Systems Technology .......................................................................................................................... 18 Animal Science ........................................................................................................................................................ 19 Animal Science - Equine ........................................................................................................................................ 26 Human Nutrition..................................................................................................................................................... 27 Food Science ............................................................................................................................................................ 28 Food and Agribusiness Management ................................................................................................................... 32 Dairy Business ........................................................................................................................................................ 37 Agri-Environmental Science ................................................................................................................................. 39 Forestry .................................................................................................................................................................... 44 Notes ......................................................................................................................................................................... 45 5 UCD 2019 Agenda UCD Agriculture, Food Science and Human Nutrition Careers Day Tuesday, 19th February 2019 UCD Student Centre 09:00 – 10:00 Company Registration: UCD Astra Hall 09:45 – 10:45 Official Opening: UCD FitzGerald Debating Chamber Chairperson Professor Alex Evans, Dean of Agriculture, UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science Keynote Addresses Mr. Martin Merrick, UCD Ag Society Careers Chair 18/19 Ms. Amii McKeever, ASA president Presentation of prizes by ASA President Prizes presented for winners of the 2018 ASA “Mock Interview” series by ASA President, Mr Derrie Dillon 10:45 – 11:00 Stage 4 Photograph: UCD Student Centre 11:00 – 14:00 UCD Agriculture, Food Science & Human Nutrition Careers Fair UCD Astra Hall Discussion Session Companies/potential employers meet final year students in an informal setting, also a chance to submit CVs. 11:30 – 13:00 Company Presentations: Blue Room, UCD Student Centre A selection of companies will provide short presentations on their graduate programmes, positions, training, etc. Discussion session in Astra Hall will be ongoing 14:00 Careers Fair Event Close 14:00 Lunch: The Clubhouse Bar Complimentary lunch for exhibitors and members of the AgSoc Careers Committee 6 UCD 2019 Foreword from the Dean of Agriculture I am delighted to be invited to write this forward for the Handbook of soon-to-be graduates of the UCD School of Agriculture & Food Science on the occasion of the annual Agriculture, Food Science & Human Nutrition Career Day. Careers Day is a big day in the calendar of our school bringing together prospective employers and those that are soon to join the workforce and embark on fulfilling careers. Congratulations to Martin Merrick and the many members of the AgSoc Careers Committee. Thanks also to the many people from industry that have supported and contributed to the day in giving freely of their time and expertise to make the Careers Day a success. On the whole agriculture, food and related industries continue to do well in Ireland with jobs, the agri-food economy and exports continuing a strong performance. However, there are dark clouds on the horizon. As I write this there are 50 days to go until the scheduled Brexit and there is as much uncertainty now about what will happen after that as there has been for the last two and a half years. The importance of the UK for Ireland’s trade and exports has been well articulated and while many businesses are planning for great change most anticipate significant difficulties in the short-to-medium term. Also attracting great attention these days are issues around solving the triple challenge of climate change, food demands and biodiversity loss; all of which are integral to agriculture and food systems. Recognising challenges is one thing, being prepared and capable to take them on is another thing. Our programmes in UCD cover the broad spectrum of subjects ranging from the agri-environment, to land use and food production, to food science, human nutrition and agri-business. Our graduates are much sought after by employers because of their in-depth scientific training and their broad understanding of their chosen fields. They have the skills to solve problems that are presented to them but also to solve problems in the future that do not yet exist. I look forward to following their contribution to society, I wish them the very best in their careers, and I encourage them to continue learning and enjoy what life has to offer. Professor Alexander Evans Dean of Agricultural Sciences February 2019 7 UCD 2019 Foreword from Chairperson It is my privilege as Chairperson of the UCD Agricultural science careers committee to welcome you all to UCD Ag Society’s annual Careers fair. The careers fair is a unique event in UCD where the students take it upon themselves to organise their own careers fair, a display of the initiative, drive and exceptional work ethic that UCD Ag Food grads are synonymous for. The Agri-food sector In Ireland is undergoing huge growth and change at present and as an industry this seems set to continue. Whilst dairy has enjoyed growth of 300,00 cows and numerous new dairy units set up, the beef and pig industries have faced leaner times. This is the nature of farming and agriculture, with the beauty being the resilience and adaptability of the industry when faced with these difficult times. As Brexit looms over us, it is important to remember that the Irish agri-food sector has endured Foot and Mouth, BSE and the horse meat scandal and are still a giant in the food and drinks export market. Whatever challenges face us, we will emerge from them a hardened and ever determined industry. The UCD Ag careers fair has become a valued resource for employers to cherry pick the best the industry has to offer. Many of our company reps here with us today stood in our very shoes and have passed through the various undergrad programs offered by the School of Ag and Food. The UCD School of Ag and Food was recently ranked 19th in the world and 5th in Europe for Agricultural science programs. This is no mean feat and is a testament to the high standard of education