Graduate shares his experience to those awaiting Leaving Cert results

“I’ve always had an interest in current affairs and wanted a career that would have a meaningful impact on society. I enjoyed economics in secondary school and felt like pursuing it in college could lead to such a career. It was only as I went through college my interest in climate action came about.”

Those were the words of Gerard O’Connor who graduated with a BA in Economics and Politics from UCC in 2022. Now working as part of the Graduate Programme at EirGrid, the operator and developer of Ireland’s electricity grid, he has shared his experience of university and advice he would give to those now awaiting Leaving Cert results.

As the class of 2024 await their Leaving Cert results, Gerard has shared his experience on the EirGrid graduate programme and his ambitions to help shape Ireland’s renewable energy future.

Having completed both undergraduate and master’s degrees in economics and politics at UCC and Economics and Policy Analysis at UL respectively, the talented graduate realised he wanted to focus his career on sustainability and the environment.

He said: “I first heard about the EirGrid Graduate Programme by word of mouth from someone who had completed it previously. When I heard about the opportunities with the EirGrid Graduate Programme and EirGrid’s aim to achieve 80% renewable energy generation by the end of the decade, I knew I could have that meaningful career here.”

By 2030 the national electricity system must be developed to allow for 80% of our electricity to come from renewable sources, as per Government climate targets, something that he is passionate about.

He added: “I wanted a career that would have a positive and meaningful impact on society. As part of the programme, I am gaining exposure to difference aspects of the energy industry and to take part in major projects that will be essential in Irelands efforts to tackle climate change.”

“I’m currently nearing the end of my first year on the Graduate Programme at EirGrid. At the moment, I’m working as part of our Regulation Team across several projects covering all aspects of the business. Previously, I had the opportunity to analyse the electricity markets as part of our Market Operations Team and help to prepare for integration into the European markets for projects like the Celtic Interconnector in Cork, which will connect us to France.”

Thinking back on his own Leaving Certificate experience Gerard offered some advice to students currently awaiting their exam results at the end of August: “I think an important thing for students to remember is that your Leaving Certificate results will not define you. Irrespective of what the paper says students should be reminded that there are still so many options available, work experience programmes, gap year or deferring a college course.

“It is how you apply yourself afterwards that will determine things rather than the results themselves,” he concluded.