Local business student focuses on Asia to develop his career

With poor career prospects for graduates in Ireland, Navan native Mark Dolan has taken the leap into international business and is forging a career for himself in Asia. Mark, a former student of St Patrick's Classical School in Navan and a graduate of University College, Dublin, is one of 23 students undertaking the competitive Farmleigh Fellowship programme. The Farmleigh Fellowship is a scholarship programme involving study in University College, Cork, and Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, which boasts one of the world's leading business schools. At the end of the year, Mark and his classmates will be awarded a Masters in Asian Business. "So far, this has been a hugely challenging and rewarding experience," he said. Mark said the most interesting aspect for him has been the opportunity to work in China. He is being sponsored by DPS Engineering and, in turn, is spending five months working and devising a market entry strategy for the company in Shanghai. He feels that he has been given responsibilities and independence that he would not have gained otherwise. "This has been one of the most challenging times of my life," he added. "It feels amazing being given such a huge opportunity, especially in China where I feel the experience will stand to me for the rest of my life." Mark has been making the most of his time in both Singapore and Shanghai, and has found it easy to connect with the Irish community in both cities through things like the local GAA club. "It's very easy to get to know people here; you'd be surprised with the amount of Irish people or people with Irish affiliations," he said. "But it's also important to branch outside of the Irish community to build as many contacts as possible." Overall, Mark thinks shifting his focus to booming Asia has been the right move. "I have been given a huge career boost. I would recommend anyone hoping to change their career path from Ireland to Asia to grasp this opportunity with both hands," he went on. After the programm,e Mark aims to stay with DPS Engineering and continue living in Asia. The MBS in Asian Business is an Ireland-Asia work-study scholarship programme for those who want a career in international business in one of the world's fastest-growing regions. The winners of this scholarship gain first-hand experience with leading Irish and Irish connected companies while studying for a Master's in Asian Business awarded by UCC and delivered in partnership with one of the world's leading business schools at NTU in Singapore. The MBS is open to experienced professionals and those who are just starting out in their career. Visit www.farmleighfellowship.com for further information. Closing date for applications is this Friday, 23rd September.