Sophie Carragher - Permanent Contract in ICON

As we prepare to break for Christmas, we are thrilled to share a great news story. Our graduate Sophie Carragher has been offered a permanent contract with ICON.

We sat down with Sophie to chat to her about her time in Trinity College, her role in ICON and about what getting a permanent contract in ICON means to her.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your background?

My name is Sophie Carragher and I am from Sandymount in Dublin, Ireland. I attended Mount Anville National and Secondary Schools. When I left secondary School in 2015, I attended Roslyn Park College where I studied Business Administration. Having graduated from Roslyn Park College, I subsequently joined the TCPID course in 2020. As part of this course, in my second year, I completed an 8-week work placement at the legal firm McCann Fitzgerald, where I worked in their HR department, supporting administrative tasks and event preparation.

I achieved a distinction in Arts, Science and Inclusive Applied Practice from Trinity College and I graduated in 2023.

What did you enjoy the most about your time as a student in Trinity College Dublin?

I enjoyed being part of the Trinity Community and learning new things in all the different modules across the 2 years of the Course. I also enjoyed meeting new people, being part of the TCPID team and being part of student life in the College.

Part of my time in Trinity College was affected by the Covid Pandemic and this meant that we had to operate off site for most of our first year in college. Trinity College provided us with excellent support to make the programme work and we were able to continue our studies despite not being able to access the College.

During our second year of the Programme, we experienced workshops with several of the TCPID Business partners. These workshops gave us great insights as to how these businesses operate, they were very generous in sharing information with us and helping us build skills in various aspects of business management. I found that these workshops and the Programme helped me to build my own confidence and ultimately led to my presenting to the Minister for Higher Education as part of our SciFest@TCPID exhibition as an end of year presentation.

What were your favourite modules on the Certificate in Arts, Science and Inclusive Applied Practice?

I really enjoyed the Entrepreneurship and the Marketing modules. Both these modules gave me great insights into how business operate from initial concept, product development and design though to marketing and product launch. We were also given the opportunity to develop our own unique product and bring that concept through a business plan.

Can you tell us about your first internship in KPMG?

I completed a 9-month placement with KPMG Dublin, Ireland, in 2023. I worked with their Finance, Transformation and Performance and Marketing departments. While there, I worked with their associates on creating and amending PowerPoint presentations, updating records across various systems and managing the merchandising inventory. In addition, I supported the coordination of internal employee initiatives, for example, International Women’s Day events.

When did you start your internship in ICON?

I started in ICON January 2024. I was originally on a 6-month internship, developing my skills within Marketing. This internship was then further extended and I have now been offered a permanent role as a Marketing Assistant with the Company.

Can you tell us about the work that you do in ICON?

I work as Marketing Assistant and my work is very varied. The Marketing Department are responsible for many disciplines including, Public Relations, Copywriting, Digital Marketing/ Website management. I work on various projects in support of the team including research, data analysis and Insights.

What is your favourite thing about working in ICON?

I love being part of the workforce and having responsibility. I have a clearly defined role in Marketing which is great and I enjoy supporting others on the team. I enjoy the variety of my work and being part of the Marketing team in ICON.

Can you tell us a little about your colleagues in ICON and how they support you?

There is a lot of diversity in the Marketing team, they are very inclusive and supportive. I have been supported in the onboarding process by being given a mentor and a clear job description. When I was transitioning from an Intern to a permanent role, I was given terrific support from HR and IT so that the change was managed.

What do you enjoy the most about working in ICON?

I enjoy the camaraderie in the group and being part of a team. I have a sense of belonging and its great to have a clear understanding of what I am responsible for in Marketing. I also like working for a company which has been recognised internationally with multiple awards.

How did you feel when you found out that you were being offered a permanent role in ICON?

I was ecstatic and thrilled that I was considered for a permanent role in the Company. I felt proud of my achievements during my internship and I am particularly delighted to be the first graduate from the TCPID programme to be offered a permanent position in ICON.

How do you think you have changed since you first started as a student in Trinity College in 2020?

My independence has changed massively and my confidence has grown immeasurably. I have developed my capabilities particularly in the areas of communication, technical skills and project management.

What are your goals for the future?

I would like to continue to develop my skillset.

From Sophie's Parents

"We have seen Sophie grow in confidence so much since she graduated from TCPID and we are thrilled to see her achieve the goals that she set for herself."

How did you feel when you heard the news that Sophie was being offered a permanent contract in ICON?

"We were delighted for Sophie firstly, then for her extended family and the TCPID team all of whom have been tremendously supporting of her."

From Sophie's Colleagues in ICON

David Green, Vice President, Marketing, commented: “Sophie has proved herself to be an invaluable member of the marketing team. Her enthusiasm and willingness to work on a wide range of projects across a very busy department has been of great benefit to the team. She is always looking for opportunities to learn and develop her marketing skills. We are thrilled that she will be continuing her career journey here with us at ICON.”

Claire Quinn, Senior Manager, Communications and Public Relations, said: “Sophie is a hugely supportive colleague – always willing to help and support her teammates. She is an absolute pleasure to work with – conscientious and consistently looks for feedback on projects she has completed. She is also great fun and really adds to our team dynamic!”

All of us in the TCPID, the School of Education and Trinity College Dublin are so incredibly proud of you Sophie and we are looking forward to watching you develop your career in ICON over the coming years.