IT Staff Spotlight: Soumel Jalota

27 May 2026

Meet Soumel Jalota, a Data Analyst in IT Services. In this spotlight, Soumel reflects on his career to date, shares what working as a Data Analyst in UCC is really like and tells us a bit about life beyond UCC.

Tell us about your career before UCC.

I hold a bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering, a master’s degree in business Analytics and have nearly 10 years of experience in the IT industry. I started out as an Oracle Apps ERP developer, but over time, I found my niche transitioning into data analytics. Throughout my career, I’ve had the opportunity to work with global organisations like Capgemini and NTT Data Services, as well as consulting for small businesses. My connection to UCC started back in September 2022, when I moved to Ireland to pursue my masters, and subsequently secured my current role here in the IT Services.

When did you start working in UCC and tell us a little about your job?

I joined the UCC and IT Services in May 2025 and have been working in the Data as a Service (DaaS) project as a Data Analyst, primarily focusing on developing reports in Power BI. As part of the Enterprise Solutions team, I work with many units across UCC including Finance, People & Culture and Student Administration. One of the projects I am contributing to involves building the UCC Datahub App, which will be a centralised reporting platform for all Power BI reports, aimed at providing a seamless reporting experience for colleagues. I am also actively involved in a project that focuses on migrating MicroStrategy reports to Power BI. The UCC Staff Factbook, along with the Governing Authority Staff Factbook, are other major deliverables I have worked on for the People & Culture, which highlight a range of valuable insights into staff data at UCC.

What do you like about working in UCC and IT Services?

I have been fortunate to work with a fantastic group of people who have a wealth of knowledge and experience. One of the most enjoyable aspects of my work is seeing the positive impact it has on the units we work with, and how their work becomes more streamlined through what we deliver. This cross-functional collaboration has been invaluable to me; I have learned so much from my team and their expert knowledge, and as a result, gained a strong understanding of student and staff data in UCC.

Soumel outside Sagrada Familia, Barcelona.

Outside of UCC, how do like to spend your time?

I enjoy evening walks, especially around The Marina and The Lough. I also love cooking dishes from back home in Delhi, India, often calling my mum for her recipes - think red kidney bean or chickpea curry.

I went on a trip to Barcelona with a few friends during Easter and loved the culture, food and watching the sunrise by the beach, a highlight of the trip!

At weekends I enjoy the occasional game of football and playing cards with my friends. I love watching cricket and I’m also a bit of a nerd for Marvel, DC and Star Wars

Feature image credit: Portia Cruz, IT Services, UCC.