Embracing the Notre Dame Experience

Embracing the Notre Dame Experience

Cathal Mc Farland’s transition from DCU’s Digital Business and Innovation (DBI) programme to the University of Notre Dame’s prestigious Master of Science in Engineering, Science, Technology Entrepreneurship (ESTEEM) graduate program saw him fully immerse himself in American collegiate life while maintaining the familiar comfort of an Irish home. Settling into South Bend, Indiana, Cathal found himself in a shared Irish household alongside DCU alumnus Mark Kelly and Tipperary native Eoin Loughlin, creating a supportive environment which eased the adjustment to American living.

The Notre Dame experience is proving to be everything Cathal had hoped for, steeped in tradition and electric energy. The atmosphere around Notre Dame football games is surreal, introducing him to traditions like tailgating and joining the student section in pushups after every Irish score. Highlights included seeing the legendary movie Rudy and attending a Zach Bryan concert in the Stadium, both truly
unforgettable events.

Beyond the stadium, the campus itself offers a perfect environment for personal growth. The university grounds are a beautiful setting for taking a walk or run, with his favourite spot being St Marys lake. The ESTEEM class was granted a tour of the famed Fr. Hesburgh’s office in the library, connecting Cathal to the university’s profound history.

The move also provided a fantastic base to explore the American Midwest. Summer was filled with adventure, including a memorable 4th of July celebration with classmates on an Indiana farm and spending time at Warren Dunes State Park on the shores of Lake Michigan. Trips to Chicago featured visits to Wrigleyville and Millennium Park (the bean).

In terms of academics, Cathal is particularly enjoying core modules like Entrepreneurial Accounting, IP & Business Law for Entrepreneurs, and Sales and Growth Hacking. Cathal has proactively taken advantage of opportunities to further his subject expertise by serving as a Graduate Teaching Assistant (TA) for two core finance modules at the Mendoza College of Business. This role involves evaluating MBA candidate performance in Bond Issue Process and Equity Valuation modules.

The Capstone (Master’s thesis) partnership with tastytrade/tastylive provided a major professional highlight. Cathal visited the sponsor’s office in Chicago at the end of the summer to discuss his project, which focuses on mapping the financial behaviours of Generation Z and Millennials. This visit and attendance of a live trading event was instrumental in refining the strategic direction of his project, ensuring he will deliver actionable value to the tasty ecosystem and further engage the next generation of traders.

Reflecting on his time so far, Cathal is extremely grateful for the shared journey he has taken with family, peers and faculty. The strong sense of community and the focus on relationships and trust at Notre Dame, echoing the ethos he experienced at DCU, continue to position him for long-term success.