Alumni mentoring for UCC STEM students

4 Jan 2023

New York based Conor Twomey, Managing Director, KX/FD Technologies is one of the alumni mentors participating in UCC's student mentoring programme. Conor graduated with a BSc in Financial Mathematics and Actuarial Science from UCC in 2008 and now shares his expertise with our students as part of UCC's alumni-led student mentoring initiative.

Why did you decide to join the UCC mentoring programme?

I've been very fortunate to have several mentors throughout my professional career (more here) and found the support and coaching immeasurably helpful, particularly when transitioning from an individual contributor role to positions of management and leadership. Giving back to the next generation, and particularly to my alma mater, is incredibly rewarding. A small amount of your time can have a major positive impact on someone's initial career journey and (without sounding ancient!) it's fun working with such bright, young and talented students. Often the easiest way to help is simply discussing with students the different career paths they could follow based on your own experience and that of friends, colleagues and classmates in your network - it's really about widening the aperture of opportunity ahead of them.

What course was your mentee studying?

Financial, Mathematical and Actuarial Sciences - and like me decided they didn't want to follow the traditional actuary route - I was delighted to be able to provide guidance that there were alternative career paths

Would you consider mentoring more UCC students?

Absolutely, the UCC mentoring programme isn't a "one and done" effort for me - it's a process and habit that I'll carry with me as long as UCC students will have me. As a University I'd love to see every student get the opportunity to have a mentor - we're starting small I know but it's such a fundamental thing for students to have access to - now more than ever as we come out of two years of study-from-home and when many students had their work experience from home too - it's really hampered the ability to build a network.

What is your advice to students as they begin a career in STEM?

The foundations of numerical/analytical skills are hugely transferable across roles and industries. The biggest challenge often is understanding where to apply your wares with so much choice.
One point that I make with mentees is that before they graduate try and speak to people within various industries who work in different roles to help guide your career steps - you have a small career compass in your hand and each interaction will guide you a little bit closer to your north star. Not every step along your professional journey will "feel" right and that's ok - you will learn and get stronger from each and every experience - even if you don't realise it at the time. I'm a 37 year old who still doesn't know what he wants to be when he grows up - and that's fine too!

Anything else you would like to add?

As a mentor to new graduates, I really try and focus on making the leap into professional life less daunting. As the mentees' career journey evolves the focus shifts to helping them realise that they have a certain level of expertise, giving them the confidence to know that they have something interesting to say. Our students are so talented, and a small nudge can give them the belief they need to compete at the highest level on the world stage. So that's my call to action here for UCC alumni - give mentorship a try and help the next wave stand on the shoulders of giants - it might make you feel ancient, but the rewards are there!

For more on this story contact:

UCC Career Services. Email: careers@ucc.ie

Find out more about the programme here