Sweden drinks a toast to Limerick’s Sinead MacCurtain

A LIMERICK lady who secured a role as an ambassador for the Jameson brand in Sweden, has encouraged other graduates to put themselves out there and apply for programmes. Sinead MacCurtain, from O’Connell Avenue, studied Marketing at Limerick Institute of Technology, before going on to complete a masters in International Management at the University of Limerick. The 24-year-old grew up in retail, with her family running O’Sullivan’s shoes on Sarsfield Street, and was eager to follow the business path herself.

Having graduated in January, Sinead applied for the Jameson graduate programme  during her masters, and after a successful interview process, secured a position  as a Jameson ambassador in Sweden, where she is currently in the first of a three year project.
“I had to prioritise my time because I was so busy with the masters, but I made the time to do exams, projects, and apply for the position and carry out interviews,” Sinead told the Limerick Post.
“My background is in business because my mom owned O’Sullivan shoes and I worked there from an early age”.
As part of her application for the Jameson position, Sinead had to prepare a presentation, and chose Limerick as its subject.
“I wanted people to see the positive sides of Limerick, all the events and great locations.
“I see myself as an ambassador for Limerick, and want to promote the area”.
Sinead is now based in Stockholm and says she is the only Limerick person to have successfully completed the application process.
“There are so many ways to find out about programmes like this, and I want to encourage others to apply, because even if they aren’t successful, they’ll get great experience in the process.
“I was the only person in my masters to apply and I heard about it at the Career Open Day, but students can find out about these things really easily at career days or on the internet.
“I was really encouraged to try for the position by my friends and family”.
Among the skills Sinead is honing on the programme are budgeting, developing campaigns and learning about the restrictions or opportunities with different markets.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity to learn and to travel, while getting paid.
“I’ve also had the opportunity to promote myself and Limerick in interviews with magazines in Sweden”.
She advised students to put themselves out there and apply for programmes, and to believe that they can be successful.