Exploring Mid-Career Transitions and Career Sustainability at DCU Business School

Yesterday, Dublin City University (DCU) Business School had the pleasure of welcoming Hilary T. O’Leary, a distinguished alumna of the MSc in Work & Organisational Psychology/Behaviour and current postgraduate doctoral candidate, for an inspiring guest session with MSc students in Work & Organisational Psychology. The session, titled “In Her Footsteps,” focused on the theme of mid-career transitions and career sustainability, a topic of increasing relevance in today’s dynamic career landscape.

Hilary O’Leary, who recently embarked on her doctoral research journey under the guidance of Professors Yseult Freeney and Margaret Heffernan, offered an in-depth view into non-linear career paths. With a unique career journey that traversed corporate roles, academia, and her personal life, O’Leary illustrated how the integration of diverse roles has allowed her to balance family, health, and work-life satisfaction. Her talk resonated with students, many of whom are already reflecting on their own paths and aspirations within the field of organisational psychology.

A particularly powerful takeaway from O’Leary’s session was her emphasis on trusting one’s gut instinct, a sentiment that paralleled the programme’s lessons on “hot vs cold cognition.” This concept—balancing intuition with evidence-based practice—encouraged students to think critically about integrating instinct with data in decision-making, particularly within selection and assessment contexts.

Dr. Michelle B. Cowley-Cunningham, a lecturer in the MSc programme, expressed gratitude to O’Leary, highlighting her journey from student to researcher as an inspiration to the cohort. The session left students with a broadened perspective on career flexibility and the possibilities within organisational psychology.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Hilary T. O’Leary and look forward to the impact her research will undoubtedly make in the field of career sustainability.

About Hilary T. O’Leary
Hilary T. O’Leary is a first-year PhD researcher at DCU Business School, specializing in careers, mid-career transitions, and career sustainability. A recipient of the DCU Dean’s Honour List award and finalist in the PSI Division’s Peter Saville Award, O’Leary brings over 15 years of experience in strategy and business planning within the advertising industry.