A new face at IAS Laboratories: Sylvia Doran
IAS
Agriculture
New innovations and technologies are constantly being developed and evolving at a rapid pace, particularly in scientific fields like agriculture and environmental analysis. Hiring and retaining fresh talent with unique experiences and expertise is necessary to help us keep at the forefront of these developments.
Meet Sylvia Doran, recent graduate and new Business Development Assistant at IAS Laboratories, with an in-depth farming background and an enthusiasm to get stuck in.
A hands-on journey through agriculture
‘Hi! My name is Sylvia Doran. I’ve recently joined the IAS Laboratories team here in Bagenalstown, County Carlow, as a Business Development Assistant.
‘As I’ve always lived in the countryside around animals, I’ve had a keen interest in agriculture from a young age. Coming from a farming background and growing up on a farm with dairy, beef, sheep and tillage means I have started my career with some applied knowledge of agricultural practices. I’m sure this will be beneficial in my new role!
‘I graduated from SETU (South-East Technological University) in 2022 with a BSc Honours Degree in Agricultural Science. It was a very balanced degree which taught me all about both the theoretical and the practical sides of agriculture.
‘I was lucky enough to do my third-year work placement with the Teagasc Advisory Office in Oak Park, Carlow. As the Agriculture and Food Development Authority in the Republic of Ireland, working at Teagasc gave me a great insight into other areas that my degree didn’t, including assisting advisors with derogation and analysis soil reports and data input. I also participated in farm walks, where I got to see different farming setups and enterprises and speak with some Teagasc clients.
‘Having completed my degree, I returned home to work on the home farm for a year and a half. Here I gained invaluable on-hand experience in all areas of farming, learning so much from my father and his lifetime experience in the sector.’
Branching out into other areas of the industry
‘Having the ‘grá’ (love) to see a different side of the industry, I decided to join IAS Laboratories. Doing so has opened a new door into another area of the agri sector for me, as I can now see how data collection and analysis links into the more practical side of farming. As I am currently learning in my new role, I’ve been given the opportunity to work in all areas of the company, from being in the office working on quotations for clients and setting up new clients on the database to working in the labs and assisting wherever necessary.
‘I am so excited to be working at IAS as it gives me the opportunity to bring my degree and my own experience of farming into the workplace. It’s helped me understand the work that IAS, and labs just like it, carries out. For example, analysis to determine how much nitrogen is in the soil links into the spreading of fertiliser on farmland, including how much to spread and the best times to do so. This could save farmers their hard-earned money if applications are not necessary. I now have a more thorough idea of how labs like IAS can help farmers not only be more productive, but also more profitable.
‘I also think it is important for us at IAS to listen closely to our customers and their challenges. It’s a more difficult sector than ever to survive in for farmers due to increasing constraints and environmental regulations. Understanding these challenges and showing empathy when needed will help us in the labs understand the needs and wants of the farmer and how we can help.
‘My goal is to maintain good relations with the farming community in the work that I do at IAS. Ireland has always been an agricultural country, and relationships between farmers and labs like IAS are a two-way street: we need each other, and so a harmonious and mutually productive relationship will only help the agricultural industry thrive.’
If you would like to get more information on IAS’ services and how Sylvia and the rest of the team can help you meet your goals, contact us here.
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