Students gain insights into entrepreneurship and innovation in Dublin
Newcastle University Business School students recently visited LinkedIn Headquarters and the Guinness Enterprise Centre on a visit to Dublin, Ireland.
8 July 2024
A group of Business School students recently travelled to Dublin for a trip themed around entrepreneurship and innovation.
Exploring the Guinness Enterprise Centre
The trip began with students having time to explore the city and get to know one another. This was followed by the first visit to the Guinness Enterprise Centre (GEC), an entrepreneurial superhub that currently supports over 150 start-ups and early-stage businesses.
Students heard from the founders of two companies based at the GEC, UrbanFox and HaloSOS. They offered valuable advice about working in start-ups and scale-ups and shared candid insights into their personal journeys, including the challenges they have faced and the benefits of working in a collaborative space such as the GEC. The talks also highlighted the expanding tech and innovation landscape of Dublin and the range of exciting career opportunities available in the city.
The group then visited the Guinness Storehouse, an immersive experience that follows the journey of Guinness in a building that is itself a key part of the company’s history. The students particularly enjoyed seeing how the iconic Guinness marketing evolved through the years, and the incredible 360˚ views of Dublin from the seventh-floor Gravity Bar.
Visiting LinkedIn HQ
Students also visited the LinkedIn EMEA HQ in Dublin. The group was hosted by Newcastle University Business School alumna Dimitra Vappa, who gave a tour of the state-of-the-art building. Highlights included the rooftop terrace with amazing views of the city, a library space, fitness studios, and other staff wellbeing facilities.
Dimitra shared her career journey and experiences with the group and offered advice on using LinkedIn as a tool for career development, as well as how to make LinkedIn profiles stand out. She also discussed her time studying with us and emphasised the importance of getting involved with as many opportunities as possible. Dimitra was joined by her colleague Bahaa AlKayyali, who spoke about his experiences as a LinkedIn Culture and Wellness Champion and the value of employee networks.
Sophie Christie, BA Business Management student, said: “The trip opened my eyes to the expanding tech hub of Dublin and its unique employment opportunities. The LinkedIn HQ visit was a particularly exciting insight, allowing us to explore a work environment that truly fosters contemporary innovation.”
Nathan Nguda-Collins, BSc Economics and Finance student, added: “'My time spent in the European heart of technology and innovation helped me recognise the power individualism can bring to the workplace.”
Connecting with alumni
The trip also featured a networking dinner with alumni based in Dublin. The group were able to connect with graduates within the Business School and wider University and enjoyed a lively conversation about living and studying in Newcastle in the past and present. Our current students benefitted from hearing about their career journeys and life in Dublin after graduation.
Steven Tan, MSc Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Sustainability student, added: “The trip was beneficial as it helped us understand life in Dublin and establish meaningful connections with alumni.”