Alumni Insights
Our alumni are business leaders and include top professionals in local and international companies across the globe. Learn more about the MSc in Management as our Alumni share their stories and discuss the role that this Masters has played in their career progression.
Ruth Jepkoech Kipngeno
MSc Management Online 2025
"With an undergraduate degree in IT and a professional experience largely rooted in operations roles, my motivation for pursuing a Master’s in Management was to build a stronger business acumen to support a transition into product management, strategy roles and ultimately prepare for future leadership positions. The program was designed for individuals without a traditional business background and offered a holistic view of how organisations function and was perfectly aligned with my goals.
The modules were one of the biggest draws for me. They provided a comprehensive 101 introduction to the world of business and management, from corporate finance, accounting, marketing, supply chain management, digital innovation, team leadership and more. I especially enjoyed diving into real-life case studies and participating in a business simulation that offered hands-on experience running a company.
I found that the structure was thoughtfully designed with working professionals in mind. Lectures were scheduled outside standard working hours and recorded for flexibility, and our programme coordinator was consistently proactive, receptive to feedback and genuinely invested in our success. A testament to this is the fact that I was able to move cities and a whole country while pursuing the programme.
Another highlight was the diversity within the cohort. Students came from a wide range of professional backgrounds thus enriching every discussion and group assignment with fresh perspectives."
Keith Tanner
MSc Management 2024, Product Specialist, Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicles Ireland
"A Masters programme in Management is something I had been considering for many years. The main hurdle for me was time. The MSc Management Online in the UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School was therefore a natural choice. Based in the midlands, I commute to Dublin each day and travel abroad regularly for work. This online programme was entirely flexible to my current commitments, both professional and personal. The online platform allowed study to be conducted at an appropriate pace, in times and locations that suited me.
I began my career with Mercedes-Benz CV Ireland as a HGV Mechanic before progressing to the role of Product Specialist. This programme has afforded me the opportunity to develop within my current role and combine my technical background with improved strategic thinking and business management practices.
While the programme is conducted entirely online, one of the greatest aspects of the course is just how well connected and integrated one becomes with the programme co-ordinators, lecturers and students. A fantastic environment in which to learn. This proved to be an invaluable support structure and added further enjoyment to the programme."
Ronald Hidalgo
MSc in Management 2025, Engineering Manager in Medical Device R&D
"Pursuing the MSc in Management at UCD Smurfit School has fulfilled my long-standing goal of advancing my education in alignment with my career. The programme’s core modules, e.g. Managing Innovative Projects and Global Leadership and Teams, directly complemented my role as an Engineering Manager in R&D and enhanced my leadership capabilities. Having collaborated with classmates from diverse industries and geographical and cultural backgrounds broadened my perspective. While I had previously developed through experience and mentorship, the formal education from this programme introduced me to new frameworks and equipped me with practical tools to navigate real-world challenges."
Jeska Kroes
MSc Management 2022, Non-Consultant Hospital Doctor (NCHD) at the Health Service Executive (HSE)
I was nervous before starting the course, as I had no business background. But this was also what initially attracted me to the course: it really was a wonderful “crash course” in business management, with subjects ranging from the more technical corporate finance, to the more philosophical such as global strategy, teaching not only practical skills but also new ways of thinking. Furthermore, the format of the course (along with the support from academic staff) allowed me to pursue further studies, while continuing in my role as mother and medical doctor. I am excited to see how this degree enables me as I pursue new avenues in my career.
Arthur Santos
MSc Management 2021, Global Communications Lead for Microsoft Azure at Designit
After moving to Ireland and restarting my career almost from scratch, I developed an interest in management. My goal to bring my career to the next level led me to starting the MSc Management at UCD Smurfit. I chose UCD Smurfit because of its reputation as one of the leading graduate business schools in Europe, and the course provided me with relevant management knowledge I needed to develop professionally. The part-time programme allowed me to continue working full-time with minimal disruption to my work life. Completing the course during a global pandemic may have been tough at times, but UCD offered all the support it could to help me succeed. Since I finished the course, I have been able to launch a career in the tech industry, and I'm thrilled with all the opportunities that have arisen so far.
UCD Business Alumni Network
UCD Business Alumni comprises a global network of over 90,000 graduates in over 100 countries. The key focus of UCD Business Alumni is to help our business graduates keep in touch with colleagues, classmates, academics and the wider business community through a range of alumni activities and supports. Our goal is to create a strong alumni community and network, with the school as the focal point. We are focused on building a life-long mutually beneficial relationship with graduates to ensure that they are constantly informed and engaged through regular events, reunions and communications.
Find out more about the UCD Business Alumni Network and how you can become involved.












