Meet Cara, a Technology Transformation Analyst in Accenture

What and where you studied: Commerce International with Hispanic Studies at University College Cork and Postgraduate degree in Digital Transformation and Leadership at TU Dublin.

Dates of graduate programme: March 2025

Having graduated in 2024 from University College Cork with a Commerce International degree, Cara was honoured with the "UCC Graduate of the Year Award" and later completed a postgraduate degree in Digital Transformation and Leadership at TU Dublin.

In 2025, she was shortlisted as the "Rising Star" at the Accenture Grow Ireland Awards in recognition of her contributions to the firm during the first six months of her tenure.

Cara is active in Ireland's tech community through her mentorship experience with Women in AI Ireland, volunteer work with Dublin Tech Summit, and engagement with WITS and CWIT.

Why did you choose this industry, and this company in particular?

During university in Cork, I spent two years working part-time at Apple, which is really where my interest in technology began. I loved solving technical problems for customers, and that experience showed me just how central technology has become to both our personal and professional lives. From that point, I knew I wanted to build a career at the forefront of it.

I made deliberate choices to pursue that. I selected modules in my Commerce degree that leaned into digital transformation, completed an extracurricular internship at a tech startup in Barcelona during Erasmus, and did a summer internship at a professional services company which gave me my first real taste of the consulting industry. 

By final year, Accenture felt like the natural next step. It brought together my different areas of interest, giving me the opportunity to work with technology while leveraging the commercial experience I had gained from my degree. The programme also offered extensive opportunities for learning and development, which was a motivation for my application, as I knew I wanted to specialise further and build a more technology-focused skillset. As I went through the application process and got to meet some of the team during the interviews, I quickly realised that this was the place for me!

Can you describe a typical day in your role? What are your favourite parts of the work you do?

Currently, I'm in a Scrum Master role, which is a type of facilitator and coach that embeds agile project management methodologies and helps teams improve their workflows on a software delivery project. At the moment, my team are approaching an exciting release for a product we've been working on for several months, so no two days are the same. Some days I'm at the client office, attending in-person meetings and working with colleagues to remove blockers and manage our delivery approach. Other days I'm at the Accenture office, collaborating virtually with my team.

A core part of my role is hosting our daily stand-up, facilitating discussion around progress, dependencies, and any issues that need escalating. I make sure everyone has what they need to execute their tasks, and step in to support or escalate when challenges arise. I also manage the team's use of Jira Cloud, our project management and delivery tracking tool, something I've built real confidence in since joining Accenture, including completing professional certifications in Jira and Agile product management.

Did your responsibilities and workload change as the programme progressed? Do you get to work with more senior members of staff and different departments?

Since joining Accenture, I have been working with the same client, supporting them through an enterprise-scale CRM transformation. Not everyone has the same experience, as many of my colleagues have worked across smaller projects over shorter periods of time, but we all get excellent experience and the opportunity to grow and learn in different ways. The extended time I have spent on my current project has allowed me to develop a deep understanding of the client's business and industry, and to grow in my role over time.

I have progressed through three different roles on the project since joining, stepping up and taking on new responsibilities as my experience has grown. My managers have supported me and given me opportunities to stretch, which has kept things interesting because I love being challenged. The Accenture team on my project is large, with colleagues at all different levels of seniority, so it has been a great way to learn from a wide range of experience within the firm.

What skills have you developed since being part of this company’s programme?

Since joining the programme, I have seen real development in both my hard and soft skills. When I joined, I was worried that my business background meant I wouldn't have the technical experience needed to succeed, but those worries were put to rest on my first day when I was reassured that everyone would be given the training, they need to thrive in their role.

Before starting on my client project, I spent seven weeks in full-time technical training, which gave me a solid introduction to the software development lifecycle, agile methodologies, artificial intelligence, and core consulting skills. In the months that followed, my team has supported me in pursuing additional industry-recognised certifications to help build my credibility and experience in areas I am genuinely interested in.

In 2025, Accenture launched a programme to upskill their employees worldwide in artificial intelligence. Through this, I was able to earn certifications from Stanford University in agentic AI and human-centred AI development, which was a real highlight for me.

What have been the most challenging parts of working life since taking up this programme? Is there anything you wish you knew before starting?

For a proud Cork woman, probably having to make the move out of the Real Capital to Dublin! 😊 It was definitely a challenge having to adapt to life post-university in a new city and a new job, but I am glad that I pushed myself out of my comfort zone and made the decision to relocate. One thing I wish I had known before making the move is how many opportunities, I would have to meet new people through Accenture’s social events and wellbeing initiatives!

Would you recommend the graduate programme at this company to others? Why?

The Accenture graduate programme is one of the most popular in the country, and for good reason. I have had the opportunity to work at the cutting edge of digital transformation, alongside an incredible team of experts and leaders who I am now lucky to call friends and mentors.

The opportunities for graduates at Accenture are unmatched, from training and development to exposure to some of the most exciting technologies in the world. It is an experience I would recommend any graduate to consider.

And beyond the work itself, we have one of the most impressive social and extracurricular agendas I am aware of in Dublin! Regular networking events, sports and social clubs, and after-work socials mean my calendar is usually full of activities. It has been a great way to make friends and get settled into life in a new city

What advice would you like to give to future graduates who are just starting out?

My biggest piece of advice to graduates who are considering their career options after university is “don’t panic!” Final year of college can be an extremely overwhelming time, with a lot of pressure around academics even before graduate job applications are considered. It can be easy to get caught up in what your peers are doing and saying, but I would advise you to take some time for yourself to think about what you enjoy and what you’re good at and then base your career research on these themes.

Chatting to people you trust and consulting websites like Gradireland will help you understand what opportunities are available to you in your area of interest. Everything will work out and remember to prioritise your wellbeing no matter what path you embark on.