
Hi, I am Anna,
and I grew up in Dublin, Ireland. I recently finished my master’s in computer and electronic engineering at Trinity College, Dublin. In my free time I love swimming in lakes and in the sea (the colder the better!). I also love Irish traditional and folk music. During my UNITECH year I got the opportunity to study for a semester at Politecnico di Milano, where I studied computer science. I then did an internship with Infineon at their HQ in Munich, where I worked with the Tactical and Strategic planning team on digitalization projects.
What attracted you to apply to the UNITECH programme?
The major attraction for me when applying for the UNITECH programme was the opportunity it
affords me to travel and to make friends from across Europe and from all over the world. I knew,
even before I started university, that I wanted to study and work abroad, and one of the reasons I
applied to Trinity College Dublin was its connection to UNITECH! The experience definitely did not
disappoint and has in fact inspired me to push myself out of my comfort zone more and more.
What did you enjoy most about your experience in the UNITECH programme, and how has the programme helped prepare you for the next steps in your career?
The biggest thing I’ve gained from my experience with UNITECH is the people I’ve had the honour of meeting. I have met some of my best friends, and some people I’m proud to have as mentors and coaches. During our UNITECH year (and since!), I’ve been able to visit my newfound friends, and travel with them across Europe. I’ve been introduced to new traditions, languages and customs which make my life richer.
What are some of the biggest lessons you've learned in your career so far?
Something I’ve learned in the last few years is that growing your professional network is quite similar
to simply making new friends. The idea of doing interviews and attending networking events used to intimidate me. However, after taking part in UNITECH, I’m learning that simply being open, kind and curious, as you are at the start of a new friendship, is the best way to make a new professional
connection.
What are some of the biggest trends you see in your industry, and how are you preparing for them?
For me a major trend that I see, and that I’d like to be a part of, is sustainability. Companies worldwide are making sustainable growth a part of their values and mission. I’m very interested in green energy, and in energy efficiency. I wrote my master’s thesis on the impact of climate conditions on Ireland’s energy grid and got the opportunity to study wind energy and its implications. I’d love to learn more about other carbon neutral energy like solar power and
hydroelectricity. I also had the opportunity to integrate machine learning into my thesis, which is
obviously another huge trend in the computer science and engineering industries.