Graduating with first-class honours and moving to the United States on a prestigious scholarship was all in a day’s work for University of Limerick student Clíona McNamara.
Clíona, 23, from Scariff in County Clare, was conferred with a Bachelor of Arts in International Business degree from UL’s Kemmy Business School, joining more than 3,670 students graduating from the University as part of its autumn conferring ceremonies.
It was a monumental moment in a whirlwind 24 hours which saw Clíona, the 2025 recipient of the Rev. John M. Conlisk Scholarship, swap parchment for passport and hop on a flight to the US to begin her studies at Fairfield University, Connecticut. Clíona joins an elite group of UL graduates chosen to receive the scholarship and will now undertake an MBA in Business Analytics.
As Clíona prepared for the exciting next chapter, she reflected on all that she has achieved during her time as a UL student.
“UL opened so many doors for me — the opportunity to live and work abroad, to meet people from all over the world, to learn in and out of the classroom, and to pursue things I’d never imagined possible.”
While business was a subject that Clíona was always interested in, she had a very particular set of criteria for where she would complete her third-level studies – and Kemmy Business School ticked every box.
“I chose UL and Kemmy Business School because of the incredible International Business programme, which had everything I was looking for — a strong global focus, real-world experience, and the freedom to tailor the degree to my own interests,” said Clíona.
“What stood out to me about UL’s International Business degree was that it offered all of that: the freedom to design a degree that suited my interests, and the chance to both study and work abroad. It really is one of a kind.”
At KBS, Clíona found a degree that fed her interests along with her curiosities. As well as studying core business modules – management, finance, marketing, HR – she had the opportunity to also study electives like psychology and politics. The diversity of the curriculum, she feels, can “give you the edge” when it comes to entering the workplace.
“It’s something different in a business degree, which, I think, employers like to see in this day and age,” she said.
Clíona describes her four years at UL as “a time filled with opportunities – academic, social and sporting”. Throughout, she balanced her sport with her studies, playing camogie with her local club, Scariff. She also got involved with the University Disability Services Office, working as a note-taker for students who needed support.
“It was a great way to give back and be part of the inclusive community UL fosters. It also gave me perspective and reminded me of the importance of accessibility in education,” she explained.
She reserves special praise for the supports she in turn received during her four years at UL, from faculty right through to the Careers Services and UL Global – a factor that was particularly important when it came to her Erasmus in Northern Arizona University.
“Most people went to Europe, but I felt there was something in me that wanted to go to America; and when I saw the amount of options UL had in America alone, I decided I was just going to push myself and go there,” she recalled.
Clíona’s decision to try “something different” led to an experience that she describes as “life-changing” and so enjoyable that she opted to stay on in Arizona for her co-op placement. She took up an eight-month work placement in supply chain and demand with American food manufacturer Oats Overnight, becoming the company’s very first intern. The experience gave Clíona the opportunity to take everything she learned in the lecture theatre and apply it in the workplace – something which, she says, played an invaluable role in her career preparation.
“I saw how business worked on the ground, and it helped me link theory to practice. Seeing how a business was run in the US was fantastic too, as it was something I wasn’t familiar with. It also sparked my interest in data analytics, which has helped shape my future plans,” she explained.
Upon returning to campus for final year, Clíona knew there were many more opportunities yet to be seized Stateside – and she took an email about the prestigious Conlisk Scholarship as a sign. With no expectations, she sent in her application and waited.
“A week before final exams in April, I got the letter to say I got it, and I was just in total shock. I had to keep rereading it to see if it was actually real! I was delighted,” she recalled.
Clíona will now follow in the footsteps of last year’s Conlisk recipient, Business Studies graduate Evan Mansfield – along with many more exceptional UL alumni – as she undertakes her MBA in Fairfield University.
“Coming from my co-op placement in Arizona, I had never done much with supply chain or data analytics – I suppose it’s uncommon for a degree in business to focus solely on it. It definitely sparked my interest, so I’ve decided to look into doing an analytics concentration,” she explained.
“Upon graduating, you can expect to be well-positioned for a career in business – not just in Ireland but with global companies.”
For now, Clíona is excited to get back to the States and pick up where she left off during her Erasmus and co-op year – meeting new people, enjoying new experiences both within and outside of the lecture theatre, and seizing all the wonderful opportunities ahead. Beyond that, she hopes to carve out a career in the US before eventually returning to Ireland.
As she prepares for her first day in Fairfield University, her treasured time at her alma mater won’t be far from her thoughts.
“UL gave me more than a degree – it gave me opportunities, independence, confidence, and community. I wouldn’t be where I am now without the people and experiences that shaped me at UL.”