Niamh Kane, from Belfast, is graduating today from Queen’s University Belfast, for a second time, with a Master’s in Software Development.  

Niamh graduated with a degree in Psychology from Queen’s in 2019 but was always interested in tech. After spending some time living in Australia, she began to set her sights on a career in software development. She applied and successfully secured a place on a one-year conversion course at Queen’s. 

She explains: 

“When I discovered that Queen’s offered a conversion Master’s specifically designed for people without a computing background, it felt like the perfect opportunity to retrain quickly and gain a recognised qualification in just one year. Queen’s taught me everything from the ground up, giving me the structure, skills, and confidence I needed to move into software development.” 

For many years, Niamh has battled with anxiety so having a strong support system was vital. 

Niamh says: 

“Living with anxiety has been one of the biggest challenges alongside studying, and Queen’s support services made a huge difference in helping me manage both my wellbeing and my workload.” 

Niamh applied for the Disabled Students’ Allowance, which covered the cost of a dedicated mental health mentor. She had regular online meetings with her mentor to help stay organised, build routines, and manage stressful periods. She was also able to ease anxiety by taking exams in smaller settings. 

She reflects: 

“Having consistent support meant I never felt like I was navigating the course on my own, and it played a huge role in helping me succeed. I also made good friends with other women on the course who were also moving into tech, and they were a great source of support and encouragement throughout the year.” 

The future is bright for Niamh; she has secured a graduate role at Endeavour Information Solutions and will be working as a Business Central Functional Consultant and Developer. 

Describing her new role: 

“It’s a position that combines problem-solving, software development, and helping organisations improve the way they work, which aligns perfectly with what inspired me to retrain in the first place.” 

For anyone considering making a leap into a new industry, Niamh offers some advice:

“Changing careers is challenging, but it’s also an opportunity to discover what you’re truly capable of. When times are hard, don’t forget to just take one day at a time. I found that having a structured programme and connecting with others on a similar journey made all the difference.  

“The key is to focus on progress rather than perfection, if you commit and work hard, you can achieve more than you ever imagined.” 

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