Students from Queen’s Sport GAA International Sporting Tour, met with University alumni and business stakeholders working in both First Derivative, a technology engineering specialist, and Options IT, who provide IT infrastructure to financial sectors across the world.

The visits were an opportunity for students, studying subjects such as engineering, maths and business management, to find out more about each business as well as the career pathways available for graduates thinking of a move to the United States.

Liz McLaughlin, interim Director of Campus and Student Life, is the lead delegate on tour and said the visits were a real eye opener for the students, showing them the opportunities that exist following their studies at Queen’s. Liz explained: 

“Our students were down in the financial district today (Tuesday 11 June), and we got to go to First Derivative as well as Options IT to meet with Queen’s alumni, people who have made a success of themselves here in New York City. And it was a fantastic experience for our students who were so, enthralled and excited to hear what the opportunities are for them as graduates, and what the future may hold for them.”

Students attending the Options IT offices were also given the unique opportunity to visit the New York Stock Exchange.
 
They enjoyed a tour of the iconic building and were on the trading floor as the bell rang to mark the end of the day’s trading.

Matthew Murnaghan, captain of the Sigerson Cup squad, said it was an amazing experience to be there when the bell rang.

“It’s class really. It's something that you see in the movies, you see on the TV, and it's something that you never really dream of being a part of. We're really feeling really lucky that we got to experience that today.

"Speaking about the potential job opportunities following his studies at Queen’s Matthew said: “We got a chance to meet a few Queen’s alumni. They are just local people who we know from back home in Belfast and are now living in New York and all these different cities that these companies operate in. For me it's an opportunity that I'm hopeful that maybe myself and anyone else who is at these visits might take on and maybe apply to and who knows, we could be in some of these positions in the future.”

The “Belfast Spirit, Global Goals” International Sporting Tour, led by Queen’s GAA, is touring the East Coast of the United States. 

With matches and engagements taking place in New York and Boston from 7-17 June, the tour is part of the University’s Sigerson 100 celebrations, marking 100 years of Queen’s competing in the premier intervarsity Gaelic Football competition for men. It also aligns with the 30-year anniversary of the foundation of the women’s Gaelic Football team.

For more information visit https://queenssport.com/StudentSport/GAANewYorkandBostonTour2024/  

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