Presenter Biography

Mary Lucey, the Founder of Career Ahead, is a Professional Educational and Career Consultant.  Mary has a Business Studies Degree with specialisation in Personnel and Industrial Relations.  She has postgraduate qualifications in both Business Education and Information Technology, in addition to a variety of Continuous Professional Development qualifications. Mary has worked in Education for over 30 years, both the third level education sector and in the further education sector.

During her career, the focus for Mary has been on the individual student - and how best to provide advice, support, and direction to pave out their future career.  Mary believes the key to success in college and/or in a career is to follow interests and passions so that individuals are motivated and excited about their studies and/or careers. She currently works with students pre-college, during college and post-college.  Mary brings them through the process of identifying a suitable course; the application process; support when commencing and settling into college; support during the various stages of attaining their academic qualification and finally securing employment after graduation. Career Ahead ensures students and parents/graduates have sufficient information, advice, and support to make the right decisions in relation to their education and careers.

Mary has overseen and developed academic programmes from QQI level 5 and 6, Undergraduate Programmes to Higher Certificate, Ordinary Degree and Honours Degree level and to Postgraduate Degree Level 9.   She is experienced in all aspects of assessments and examinations; in quality assurance and the results approval and appeals processes.  She has acted as an examiner for the Department of Education and Skills, and as an external examiner for a number third level Colleges.  Mary has overseen the introduction of modularisation and semesterisation in colleges.  She set up scholarship schemes to support students and invaluable industry links and projects for betterment of the students/graduates. Mary has developed and introduced a variety of innovative and unique nationally recognised and award-winning projects and initiatives.  

Mary has been the recipient of several Business and Media Awards.  She has sat on judging panels for a variety of business and media awards.  She is a strong advocate of gender balance in education and careers and was awarded a Fellowship by the ICS for her work in promoting IT in education.  Mary writes for local, regional, and national media on education and careers. She has appeared as an Educational Expert on television.  She is regularly contacted to voice opinions and provide advice on educational and career matters by the media.