Ashok Kumar - NCI Graduate Story

Ashok is a Class of 2022 MSc Management Graduate with a background in Business Development working as a Fintech Project Manager with IOC Save.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background:

I come from a sales background with over 6 years of experience across India and Ireland. I’ve worked in various industries including telecom, energy, and now fintech and payments. My core strength lies in business development and helping companies scale through strategic sales efforts.

What made you choose Ireland as a place to study and work?

I chose Ireland because of its excellent reputation in education and the strong presence of multinational companies across tech, finance, and professional services. The post-study work visa was also a big draw, offering international graduates a genuine chance to transition into the workforce. The friendly culture, English-speaking environment, and vibrant student community made it an easy choice for me to pursue both my studies and career here.

How did you hear about your role ?

Fun fact, this is my sixth job. Every role I’ve had so far has either come through a referral or someone from the company reaching out directly on LinkedIn. My current role was no different. I got a random message asking if I’d be open to a conversation about what they do, and the rest followed from there.

It was fairly straightforward: an initial screening, an interview with the National Sales Manager, and a final round with the Director. I treat interviews as opportunities to see where I stand and what the market looks like.

What do enjoy most about your current role ?

Definitely the autonomy. I plan my own day, structure my week, and travel as needed. There’s freedom to build relationships in my own style. That sense of ownership, combined with seeing the results of your work, makes it a very fulfilling role.

It wasn’t easy. Sales roles aren’t considered “critical skills” under the visa guidelines, so finding sponsorship was a real challenge. After graduation, I continued with my employer full-time, but they weren’t willing to sponsor. I switched to another company that agreed, but it wasn’t a good fit. Just when I was about to go ahead with a general work permit, this current opportunity came up, a hybrid role combining sales and project management, which helped me qualify for the Critical Skills visa.

What is a typical day like in your current role ?

My mornings are usually filled with follow-ups and calls with the operations team, handling escalations or project updates. The second half of the day is spent on the road, meeting clients face-to-face, doing site visits, or planning new deals. I cover clients all across Ireland, so no two days are the same, which keeps things exciting.

What has been the most challenging part of your graduate journey ?

Finding a role that offered Critical Skills visa support without leaving the sales profession. Most graduate jobs tied to sponsorships were in tech or analytics, not business development. I had to be strategic, patient, and keep my network active until the right opportunity showed up..

Top 3 tips for students and graduates entering the Irish job market.