To celebrate International Women's Day (IWD), we are shining a light on some of the amazing women who help shape National College of Ireland. Find out what IWD means to them.
Niamh Hopkins, Senior Academic Operations Manager at NCI
International Women’s Day, March 8th, 2025
Shining a light on the women of NCI.
My name is Niamh Hopkins, and I’m the Senior Academic Operations Manager at National College of Ireland. For the last two and a half years I was in charge of Academic Operations for the School of Business, School of Computing, and CELL. More recently, I am leading out on a project that is a cross-functional review of how we operate in NCI. The aim of the project is to refresh our policies, procedures, and processes. Future proofing them and making them scalable.
Career pathways and aspirations
I am originally an Electronic Engineer, and I have a Master’s in Computer Science. I have a background in Digital Transformation, and I worked on large capital projects for Trinity College and DCU. I have 25 years of experience in higher education.
I’ve also had other jobs. I had my own web design company for 3 years. I also used to renovate and sell boats. I’ve always lived by the sea. I think I have salt water in my veins so, when I was little, I obviously wanted to be a mermaid: it’s not a career option I’ve ruled out yet!
Motivation and rewards
What motivates me? - Money! Seriously! Though my father always said. “Money cannot buy you happiness…”, did you ever try being happy without it?
Job satisfaction is really important to me. I take great pride in a job well done. My absolute passion is using technology to solve business problems, and I’d like to utilise my knowledge and this skillset more in NCI.
International Women’s Day
I think it’s truly inspiring to hear about such amazing women and International Women’s Day means women take a moment to stop and celebrate who they are.
I think it’s important for women to support other women
A woman’s work...
My first job leaving College was working for Siemens on the design of a submarine in Germany. I was the only woman!
I think the experience of working abroad in an all-male environment really shaped me. It gave me a different perspective and taught me to think outside the box. There’s always a solution to problems. You just haven’t thought of it yet. I learned to hold my own against the lads and trust in my instincts.
They asked me to go on the harbour acceptance test – this is where the supplier demonstrates to the buyer that everything is ship shape and conforming to the requirements and obligations of the contract – and I decided that there was no way I was going under the water in that tin can!