In the latest instalment of our Alumni Spotlight, we speak to Kieron Ryan, a graduate of Business with Japanese. Now working and living in Japan, Kieron shares how his time at UL prepared him for a successful career in the pharma industry – and left him with the most cherished memories.
Could you tell us a bit about yourself?
My name is Kieron. I am originally from Cappamore in Co. Limerick, and I am currently living in Japan, working as a Senior Manager QA for Eli Lilly in Kobe, Japan.
What courses did you study, and in which years did you graduate?
I did my undergrad in Business with Japanese (2015), and years later, having spent some time both in Japan and Ireland, I did an MSc in Quality Management Lean Six Sigma (2022) - in part, through the Springboard programme.
Why did you choose to study at UL?
As a Limerick native, the beautiful campus and amazing facilities were always a big part of the county; and through various activities I did throughout my life (swimming, diving, soccer, card games, etc.), it was a no-brainer for me to do my further education there.
What were the highlights of your courses?
For my undergrad, it was the Japanese portion of my study. Unlike secondary education, the language programmes at UL are tied to real-life practical usage; and the international community in UL, along with coordinated language exchange events provided by the School of Modern Languages and Applied Linguistics, really encouraged me to speak and become engaged. These events were the foundation of the language ability I have and use daily now.
My postgrad was completed part-time, while working in the medical device industry, and completed over three years; each year culminated in a large data-driven process improvement project that I implemented in real time in my workplace. This not only gave me the skills and certifications but also showcased the power of these skills in my workplace in real time – this was a significant development opportunity for my career.
As a UL student, you had the opportunity to learn from some of the top academic talent, in state-of-the-art facilities. What was your experience like?
During my time in Kemmy Business School (KBS), as a business student, there were often guest lecturers and seminars/events that would always give extra opportunities to learn and network. The quality of the lecturers across Business, Languages, and Quality Management was excellent, and I found that resources were always made available for me to follow up on curiosities developed through my study.
Did you complete Co-op? If so, could you share what that experience was like?
I entered my undergrad in 2011, where the economic situation was not looking great and jobs were few and far between. The Co-op placement I did in my third year was the only opportunity I had to prepare myself for the working world prior to graduation, and I felt it really gave me a leg up on other graduates from other universities and colleges. I spent eight months in Ballina, Co. Mayo working for a localisation company, and I learned a lot about the foundations to successful project management during my time there.
What advice would you offer to students considering studying at UL?
UL is a kaleidoscope of courses, clubs, societies and sports, with a diverse community of international and local students. There is a place for everyone, in my opinion. Whether you are a rugby player, musician, card game enthusiast, language learner or you prefer to have a quiet pint on a night out; there is a place for you in UL. I met such a diverse, welcoming community in every corner of UL, and that atmosphere is second to none.
Separately, what advice would you offer to students considering studying your course?
Business with Japanese produces unique graduates. There is an endless list of companies both in Ireland and Japan that do business together, and they require talents with not just the language but the cultural differences understood. Since I first graduated, there has been a plethora of opportunities to work around the world using this degree. If you want to try something new, stand out, and give yourself an edge, then, studying Japanese as part of your undergrad is a good way to go about it.
Were you a member of any clubs or societies? If so, tell us a bit about your experience.
We restarted the Softball Club during my time in UL. We went from having 20-year-old equipment and no members to being intervarsity champions in 18 months, and this time was precious as I made friends for life through all our efforts there. I was also a member of the Games Society to play card games, and the community there was just as marvellous.
What are some of your favourite memories from your time at UL?
Friday Night International Nights in The Stables; language exchange meetings organised by UL; eight months in Mayo for my Co-op programme; and most of all, the friends I made from my time there – friends for life, that went through the four years together and came out the other side.
At UL, we’re known as the ‘Home of Firsts’ – are there any important ‘firsts’ that you experienced as a UL student, that you would like to share?
I took a variety of approaches to my study in UL; I both lived at home and lived in and around campus – both were excellent and had their benefits, but being in UL was the first time I lived away from home and began to learn about being independent. It was my first time living outside of Limerick on Co-op; my first time to encounter Japanese; and my first time to be exposed to media – I ran a show for 12 months called Chicken Roll Rhythm with two great buddies, Eoin McClernon and David O’ Loughlin, and this was an amazing experience for us. Hon, ULFM!
Are there any campus locations that hold special significance to you?
The Students’ Union will always be the biggest one for me – I believe it’s a new building now; but somewhere to play pool, charge electronics and chill with other students was always very well received between classes in the day. The Stables and its Cajun chicken roll was also a staple in my life there.
How did your courses and your overall UL experience prepare you for entering the workplace upon graduating?
On top of my aforementioned Co-op placement, the courses I studied in UL all used pragmatic, real-life examples and projects to bring the material to life and equip me to apply it effectively in my career. Thanks to this approach, I find that my formative years spent in my undergrad gave me a realistic understanding of how what I am learning will help me in my career.
Could you update us on where you are now in your career?
Right after my undergrad was finished, I went to Japan on the JET programme, serving two years as an Assistant Language Teacher and one year as a Prefectural Advisor in Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka, Japan. I then spent five years in Johnson & Johnson - four years in Limerick, and one year in Tokyo, Japan. I’ve just finished my time in Japan as Manager of Quality Improvement at Takeda Pharmaceuticals and have taken up a new job as Senior Manager, Site QA in Kobe, Japan for Eli Lilly.
What are your hopes and plans for the future?
I have spent a total of six years in Japan, off and on, and I plan to continue to work here in the medium term. Long term, I’d like to return to Ireland and continue my career while keeping up business relations with Japan.
Is there anything else you would like to share?
When I was preparing to be an undergraduate, there was a lot of emphasis on what to study and which course would be best for my future. Although the course you choose is important to kickstart your career, you can pivot (as I did – business to medical device, to pharmaceutical manufacturing) to other areas of interest as you progress through your career.