Alumni Stories - Nicole Kierans
"NCAD was one of the only colleges that offered me the opportunity to study both education and art together. Combining Fine Art and Education gave me a joint degree, a great fast pass into the big world without completing a Masters."
Name: Nicole Kierans
Current Career: Art & Textiles Secondary School Teacher
Graduation Year: 2019
Disciplines: (Fine Art) Textiles Art & Artefact & Education.
Location: Uppsala, Sweden.
What career path did you want to follow as a child?
I have always wanted to be a teacher for as long as I can remember. But when I reached my teenage years I wanted to become a wedding dress designer. In my job right now I get the best of both worlds as I get to teach both art and also fashion (textiles) teaching the younger generation about using sewing machines, design techniques etc…
Why did you decide to study at National College of Art & Design?
I had always heard so many positive things about NCAD, all the big designers and artists who had studied there. The excitement of creating a portfolio and the unknowing if you made the cut to be lucky enough to attend college there. When I was in school it was always seen as the place to be, and most teachers really push for anyone interested in art to attend.
However it was also one of the only colleges that offered me the opportunity to study both education and art together. Combining both fine art and education giving me a joint degree, a great fast pass into the big world without completing a masters.
How did you develop your career towards your current job or practice?
When I was in school I wanted to focus on my leaving cert, so when I graduated I attended DIFE (Drogheda Institute of further education) where I completed a level 5 Fetac in Textiles & Fashion, also preparing me for my portfolio submission to NCAD. I could not recommend them enough. I would love to do it all over again if I could. I got into all 5 colleges I applied for and from there I selected NCAD. I studied in NCAD for 4 years completing my joint hons degree in fine art textiles and education. I had 4 wonderful creative years there and met so many amazing people throughout my time. Once I Graduated in 2019 I got offered a job in Umea, in northern Sweden teaching art & textiles. NCAD has communications with Internationella Engelska Skolan in Sweden and they come over to Ireland once a year to recruit. I worked there at IES UMEA for 3 years teaching a mixture of subjects - art, textiles and home economics.
I moved back to Ireland for 6 months where I got a full time teaching position teaching art and home ec just outside my local town. Myself and my fiance then decided we would move back to his hometown in Uppsala, Sweden. I have now started teaching at another IES school teaching art & textiles once again.
What is the one experience during your time at NCAD that has informed you most in your career and work to date?
100%, all the different school placements and experiences that I completed in the education department. We were given so many opportunities to teach in different types of schools while being mentored by the wonderful staff there.
If you were chatting with current NCAD students today what is the one piece of advice you would offer?
Don’t sit around waiting for other people. If you want to go somewhere or if you want experience something, just do it! Don’t waste your time waiting on other people, otherwise you will wait and your dreams will never happen.
Enjoy your time at NCAD & make lots of memories, it will all be over a lot sooner than you think!
