DCU Voices

DCU VOICES 74 Alumni Profiles CHRIS SPIERIN (Bachelor of Business Studies, 2014) Brand Manager General Mills Ireland “It was great to be able to give something back to the university” Memories During my first year in DCU, I started working as a Student Ambassador and continued this role throughout my four years. There was great camaraderie among the ambassador team. I have some great memories of being able to share my experience of DCU with prospective students during Open Days and other events. It was great to be able to give something back to the university. Career Highlights Prior to my current role, I worked in a global role with Dyson which gave me great opportunities to travel and I spent time working closely with teams in China, Hong Kong and Singapore. It’s very rewarding to spend time working with different cultures and nationalities. Getting global experience within any role can be a very eye-opening experience and gives you a perspective that can’t be learned from any textbook. Starting my current role with General Mills has also been a highlight for me. For anyone working in marketing, it’s a real honour to get to work on some real market-leading products and household names. To feel you’re an integral part of those brands is very rewarding. ANGELA COONEY (Bachelor of Business Studies, 1994) Enterprise Sales Consultant at Oracle “My mentors have renewed and reinforced my learning mindset” Memories I have many favourite memories from DCU but the one I recall with great fondness is my graduation day: being supported by fellow students and our families, as we celebrated our undergraduate degree achievement and looked with optimism to future opportunities. It was a very special day. Career highlight My strongest career highlights have all been centred around hugely supportive leaders that have mentored me and enabled global roles that have enriched me professionally and personally. These roles included collaborating with business partners across Asia, setting up the first wholly owned European localisation services hub in China and working with enterprise organisations as they developed their international strategy for new global markets. Recently, I’ve been strongly encouraged by my mentors to embark on business coaching which has renewed and reinforced for me a learning mindset, which is essential to aid adaptability during uncertain and complex times.