Empowering Futures: Celebrating International Women’s Day at Ballyfermot College
Last week, I had the incredible honour of hosting Empowering Futures, Ballyfermot College’s International Women’s Day 2025 showcase—a student-led event designed to equip young professionals with the skills, confidence, and knowledge to take control of their careers.
This year’s United Nations theme, “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.”, emphasised the importance of ensuring equal opportunities for everyone, and that message was truly at the heart of this event.
What made this showcase particularly special was that it wasn’t just a panel discussion—it was an opportunity for students to gain real-world, hands-on experience in content creation, event production, and media. It was my first time presenting on TV, and I’m incredibly proud of both the show and the students who made it happen. Their professionalism, creativity, and dedication throughout the production process were outstanding, and I have no doubt that they have bright careers ahead.
Four Key Pillars of Professional Success
The event explored four fundamental areas essential for career growth, each led by an industry expert who provided practical, real-world insights.
✔️ Personal Branding & Image – Presented by Aoife Dunican (The Style Bob), this session highlighted how personal style and professional presence influence career opportunities. Aoife shared expert advice on crafting a personal brand that aligns with career goals and builds confidence.
✔️ Networking & Career Growth – Jean Evans (Ignite Business Network) broke down the secrets to successful networking, helping attendees understand how to build meaningful connections and leverage professional relationships to open new doors.
✔️ Mindset & Wellbeing for Success – Andrea O’Grady (Wellness & Mindset Coach) tackled mental resilience in the workplace, offering strategies to overcome imposter syndrome and develop a success-oriented mindset.
✔️ Leadership & Breaking Barriers – Seyi Agbede (The Leadership Enabler) shared powerful insights on navigating leadership roles, breaking through barriers, and thriving in competitive industries.
Each of these sessions provided practical, actionable advice that students and early-career professionals could immediately apply to their professional journeys.
Why This Event Matters
For many young people entering the workforce, standing out, building connections, and developing confidence can be a challenge. Empowering Futures provided them with practical tools, industry insights, and hands-on learning opportunities to help them navigate the early stages of their careers with clarity and purpose.
It was particularly inspiring to see the collaboration between students across multiple disciplines, from Content Creation and Photography to Immersive Media, Television, and Radio. Their dedication ensured that the showcase was not only engaging but also produced to an exceptionally high standard.
Student-Led, Industry-Focused
One of the standout elements of Empowering Futures was its practical, student-led approach. Rather than simply listening to industry insights, students were actively involved in:
Filming, editing, and producing the event
Coordinating content and managing production
Bringing industry professionals into their learning environment
This hands-on experience allowed them to apply their skills in a real-world setting, bridging the gap between education and industry in a meaningful way.
This event was a testament to what happens when education meets industry, when passion meets opportunity, and when young professionals are given the tools to succeed.
To everyone involved—students, speakers, and staff—thank you. You made this event a success, and I can’t wait to see what you achieve next.
🎥 Watch the full event below:
