In the latest instalment of our Alumni Spotlight series, we speak to Cian O’Donnell, a graduate of the BA in International Business at ɫƵ, who is now working at Castleton Commodities International in New York.
After graduating from UL, the Limerick native was awarded a Rev. John M. Conlisk Scholarship and made the move to the US to complete a Master's in Business Analytics at Fairfield University.
Cian shares why he chose to study International Business, how his undergraduate experience ɫƵ built the foundations for everything that followed, and how being the first in his family to go to university changed the trajectory of what felt possible for Cian and his family.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I’m originally from Limerick and completed my Leaving Certificate in Ard Scoil Rís after attending St Munchin’s CBS and Thomond Community College.
I was always the kind of person who wanted to understand how things worked – not just in a technical sense, but why people act the way they do, what makes a great team click, or why certain stories stay with us. I was obsessed with film and theatre growing up, but also really curious about people and the environments that bring out the best in them.
I spent a lot of time around the UL campus as a kid, so it always felt like the place I’d end up in. There was something about the energy there – ambitious but down-to-earth – that made it feel like the right next step.
Why did you choose to study International Business ɫƵ?
I wanted a degree that would challenge me but still let me shape my own direction. International Business did exactly that. It gave me a strong foundation in finance and economics while leaving space to explore what I was truly interested in – people and organisations.
The international element was a huge pull too. I’ve always liked thinking beyond borders and seeing how different cultures approach work, leadership and decision-making. It felt like the kind of course that would keep doors open rather than close them.
What did you enjoy most about your course?
The best part was how much freedom there was to explore. UL really encourages you to follow your curiosity, and for me that meant diving deep into Organisational Behavior. That class with Dr Jill Pearson changed everything for me – it showed me how much leadership, culture and motivation shape business success.
Outside of class, it was the people. I met great friends and professors who genuinely cared about how you were doing. UL has this rare mix of academic challenge and real community.
What did you enjoy most about studying ɫƵ?
The sense of belonging, hands down. You’re constantly surrounded by people doing interesting things, whether that’s starting a business, running a club, or just bringing ideas to life.
Founding the UL Consulting and Entrepreneurship Society is still one of my proudest moments. It started as a casual idea between friends and ended up becoming a society that’s still active today. Seeing other students take it and make it their own is phenomenal.
And then there are the small things – RAG Week, late nights in the library, runs along the Shannon, pints at The Stables. They’re the moments that stick with you long after you leave.
What was your Co-op experience like?
I did my Co-op with the Mergers and Acquisitions Communications team at Accenture in Dublin. That experience really opened my eyes.
It was my first taste of a global company, and it showed me how strategy, communication and culture all tie together. It was fast paced, high-pressure and exactly the kind of environment that made me want to keep pushing myself.
You were the first in your family to go to college. Tell us about that journey.
It was one of the defining experiences of my life. Being the first meant stepping into something completely unknown. There wasn’t a path to follow or anyone to ask what came next.
Everything from the CAO process to the first week on campus felt like uncharted territory. But that challenge became the best teacher I’ve ever had. It taught me independence, resilience and how to back myself even when I wasn’t sure I belonged.
UL played a huge part in that journey. It gave me the environment and support system to figure things out, make mistakes and keep moving forward. Looking back now, that experience built the foundation for everything that’s followed – the confidence to move abroad, take risks and keep saying yes to new opportunities.
What advice do you have for other first-generation students?
It’s completely normal to feel out of your depth at first but that’s not a reason to hold back. You’re not behind; you’re breaking new ground. Being first-gen gives you a strength you can’t learn from a book – the ability to adapt, to work hard and to keep going even when things don’t come easily.
Ask questions, lean on people and take up space. You’ll be surprised by how many others have walked a similar path and want to see you succeed. And remember, your background doesn’t hold you back, it sets you apart. The same qualities that got you through the door will carry you far beyond it.
You received the Rev. John M. Conlisk Scholarship upon graduating from UL. What impact did that have on your life?
That scholarship changed the course of my life completely. It gave me the chance to move to the US and earn my Master’s in Business Analytics at Fairfield University – something that, not long before, felt like a distant dream.
But more than the financial support, it gave me belief. It was a moment where someone said, we see your potential – and that shifted everything. It gave me the courage to take big leaps, to trust my instincts and to pursue opportunities that once felt out of reach.
Every major milestone since, from graduating to building a career in New York, can be traced back to that opportunity. It didn’t just open doors; it gave me the confidence to walk through them.
What is it like to now live and work in New York?
Living and working in New York has been surreal in the best way possible. It’s fast-paced and demanding, but that’s what I love about it. You’re constantly surrounded by people who are brilliant at what they do, which pushes you to keep evolving.
I work at Castleton Commodities International in Compensation and Talent – it’s where data meets people. I get to help shape how we attract, retain and reward talent across the business, which feels like a full-circle moment after everything I studied.
There are days when I look out over the city and can’t quite believe how the view from a Manhattan skyscraper carries the same weight as an evening spent looking out the windows of the Glucksman Library in UL. It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it and that’s what keeps me going.
How did your time in UL prepare you for your career?
UL gave me adaptability – that ability to work with different people, think critically and communicate clearly. The mix of business disciplines taught me to see problems from multiple angles and the group projects taught me that no idea moves forward without collaboration.
The biggest thing UL taught me, though, was curiosity – to always ask why something works, not just how. That mindset has carried me through every step since.
Were there any lecturers or others in UL that inspired you?
Absolutely! Dr Jill Pearson in Organisational Behavior changed how I think about work and leadership. Her classes made culture feel tangible – not theory on a slide, but something you could build and measure. She pushed me to be curious and to back my instincts.
I also owe a huge debt to Gavin Connell in the Career Centre. He was the first person to say, “You should throw your hat in the ring for the Rev. John M. Conlisk Scholarship.” That encouragement was the nudge I needed and it genuinely altered the course of my life.
Here ɫƵ, we’re known as the ‘ɫƵ of Firsts’. Are there any ‘firsts’ that stand out for you?
Becoming the first in my family to go to university will always be the most meaningful “first”. It wasn’t just about getting into college – it was about changing the trajectory of what felt possible for me and my family.
Starting the UL Consulting and Entrepreneurship Society comes a close second. We began with a simple idea and turned it into something lasting, which is still running today.
Both experiences taught me that being first isn’t about having a perfect plan – it’s about having the courage to start. It’s often uncertain and uncomfortable, but that’s where the real growth happens.
What are your hopes and plans for the future?
I want to build a career that sits at the intersection of people, strategy and data, and ultimately become a Chief Human Resources Officer one day. The goal for me isn’t just to be in leadership, but to shape workplaces where people actually thrive.
The world of HR is changing fast, especially with analytics and AI, and I’m passionate about making sure that technology amplifies the human side of work rather than replaces it. Every role I’ve taken so far has been about learning how to do that better – connecting data to empathy, and strategy to people. That’s the kind of leader I hope to become.
What keeps you curious?
People do. Understanding what drives them, what connects them and how data can help tell their stories better.
Curiosity has taken me from Limerick to New York, and every step has been about learning more about people and purpose. That curiosity has always been the thread running through everything I’ve done, and I hope it always will be.