To mark our 75th Anniversary, we are shining a light on some NCI alumni to showcase the amazing talent the College has produced throughout the years.
Brendan Breslin, Retail Lead, RNLI
Alumni Spotlight: Brendan Breslin
CIPD Diploma in People Management (2022)
BA (Hons) in HRM Strategy Practice (2023)
Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resource Management (2025)
MA in in Human Resource Management (2026)
Retail Lead, Fundraising (Ireland), RNLI
About Brendan
Brendan Breslin's journey to studying Human Resources at National College of Ireland began at a professional crossroads. Having built a successful career in retail management, leading teams and operations across multiple locations, Brendan had accumulated significant practical experience working with people. However, he found himself increasingly interested in the strategic and decision-making aspects of the people profession and began exploring opportunities to develop his knowledge through formal education.
Following advice from a career coach, Brendan enrolled in a CIPD Diploma at NCI. The programme provided him with the opportunity to build on his existing experience while gaining the professional qualifications and theoretical knowledge required to progress his career.
"The course layout was particularly good, focusing on one subject at a time, which allowed me to really immerse myself in the content of each module."
Despite initial concerns about returning to education and adapting to online learning, Brendan quickly found a rhythm that allowed him to balance work, family life and study. He credits both the support of his lecturers and the encouragement of fellow students with helping him succeed throughout the programme.
A Journey of Lifelong Learning
Completing the CIPD Diploma was only the beginning of Brendan's educational journey. Building on the success of the programme, he progressed directly to Stage Two of NCI's BA (Hons) in HRM Strategy and Practice, allowing him to continue developing his expertise and gain a Level 8 qualification.
Brendan found that the strategic and theoretical aspects of his studies gave him greater confidence in the workplace, helping him better understand organisational decision-making and apply critical thinking to real-world situations. The learning also opened new opportunities within his organisation, leading to involvement in people-focused projects that may not previously have been available to him.
His experience demonstrates how professional qualifications can support both personal and career development, helping experienced professionals expand their skills and unlock new opportunities.
Looking Ahead
Brendan describes his studies as a rewarding experience that challenged him to grow both personally and professionally. Having completed the CIPD Diploma and gone on to earn a degree in HRM Strategy and Practice, he continued to pursue his goal of further education and professional development by moving on to study at postgraduate level.
"Returning to education is a truly rewarding experience, one which will seem tough at times, but you will look back on it with a tremendous sense of achievement and pride."
Reflecting on his journey, Brendan encourages prospective students to embrace the learning experience, engage with classmates and take advantage of the support available throughout their studies. His story highlights the value of lifelong learning and demonstrates how education can help individuals build on existing experience while creating new opportunities for growth and development.
Brendan originally shared his HRM graduate story for the NCI Blog.
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