Site Visits and Networking:

This was my top reason for committing to the immersion trip! I wanted to learn what working in Information Technology was like in Ireland. I started researching all the site visits that we would be visiting prior to the trip. In one of our class sessions, we were divided into groups to work on a 1-page assignment about one of the specific site visits and all their general information, use of information technology, and 3 questions to ask during the site visit. My group was assigned Ericsson which is a telecommunications company mainly focusing on spreading their 5G network across Ireland and the 60+ other countries they operate in.

The other site visits that we visited were Genesys, Dell Technologies, RSM,

Dogpatch Labs, Eaton, Microsoft Garage, and Tangent at Trinity College Business School. I loved visiting all the site visits as they all individually provided us students with a tour of their office, advice for going into a career in information technology as well as an overall presentation on their company and further opportunities.

What I found most useful were the networking dinners with Syracuse Alumni that we were provided with throughout the trip. At the Galmont Hotel in Galway, during our 2nd night, we had dinner with 3 alumni. I had the chance to have a conversation with one of the alums who graduated in 2001. She worked in Consulting in Galway and was very passionate about it.

In Dublin, we had another networking dinner this time with 5 Syracuse alums. This time I had the opportunity to talk with an Alum who works in Trinity College Dublin and studied Museum studies at Syracuse. It was great speaking to her as she was able to provide me and the students at my table with insight on working in Dublin and the overall work culture.

Additionally, right after our RSM site visit they hosted a networking event with all their employees in each service line, Audit, Tax, Consulting. At RSM, I was able to network well with the employees in Consulting as I do have an upcoming internship in Consulting but for KPMG which provides similar services to clients.