ATU Career and Learning Pathways Manager (HCI HigherEd 4.0 Project) managing the establishment of a Regional Service for Careers and Learning Pathways, including Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for people in the workplace.
Over 18 years’ experience of managing, developing and delivering excellent outcomes for the careers advisory and guidance services in higher education. Thorough understanding of national and international labour market skills and knowledge requirements sought by employers. Experienced in the design and development of career learning pathways, including employability frameworks and RPL to help graduates and employees achieve career success and sustainable lifelong employability.
MSc in Careers Guidance: University of Ulster, Diploma in Careers Guidance in Higher Education: University of Reading
B.Sc. (Management): Trinity College Dublin and Dublin Institute of Technology
Accredited professional development in RPL, neurolinguistic programming, universal design in teaching and learning, facilitation, coach practitioner and other psychometric assessments
Melissa Roa is a Career Coach, Entrepreneur, and People Development Specialist dedicated to empowering professionals and businesses to reach their full potential. As the Founder of Coaching Close to You, she has helped over 900 clients successfully navigate career transitions, interview preparation, leadership development, and personal branding, enabling them to secure new job opportunities and build confidence in their professional journeys.
With more than 14 years of experience working across multiple countries, Melissa has successfully adapted to diverse industries, including Big Tech, startups, and corporate environments. Her background in career coaching, customer success, and corporate training has given her a deep understanding of global job markets and the skills needed to thrive in today’s competitive landscape.
Melissa believes that success is not about luck, but about preparation, self-awareness, and continuous learning. Through strategic coaching, storytelling techniques, and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), she helps professionals unlock their potential, overcome self-doubt, and position themselves for success in highly competitive industries.
At Coaching Close to You, Melissa and her team offer tailored career coaching solutions, specializing in career transitions, leadership development, corporate workshops, layoff support, and personal branding strategies. Whether you’re an individual looking to grow your career or a company aiming to develop high-performing teams, Melissa provides the insights and tools necessary for long-term success.
Specialties:
Career Coaching & Professional Transitions
Executive Coaching & Leadership Development
Job Search Strategies & Interview Preparation
Corporate Training & Employee Engagement
Layoff Support & Career Consulting
Personal Branding & LinkedIn Optimization
I am incredibly excited to work with you at this point in your career. I love getting to know my clients, and I focus on challenges and results, all delivered in an exciting way that will set you up for success now and in the future.
I have been working with clients across the world for over 20 years. As a career coach, I pride myself on creating a collaborative, creative, and open-ended approach for my clients, which helps them explore their passions, live their best lives, and fulfil their potential as career professionals and individuals.
As a business leader, I have had the opportunity to work with clients and have extensive experience recruiting for global businesses in various industries. This allows me the unique insight into hiring processes and profile building, which ensures that you have real-world insights into your professional journey and get the maximum value for your programme.
My guarantee for you today is that I will strive for your excellence with positivity, realism, optimism, and willingness toward your success. If you are ready for a change, I am right there with you.
My specialties are Career, Mindset & Life Coaching. I am so excited to be working together, and I will see you at our first session
very soon!
Marielle is one of the co-founders of ThriveUp Career, a business dedicated to helping professionals worldwide achieve their career aspirations. ThriveUp has supported clients from over 10 nationalities and industries—including finance, HR, marketing, and IT—by guiding them to secure their dream jobs in Ireland and beyond. Helping individuals unlock new opportunities and navigate their career paths is central to ThriveUp Career’s mission.
With over five years of experience in recruitment, Marielle has worked across diverse industries such as tech, sales, aviation, and pharmaceuticals. She has a proven track record in high-volume hiring for leading companies like Google and AWS. Her academic achievements include a Certificate in Human Resources Management, a Higher Diploma in Computing, and a Bachelor’s in Business, all complementing her deep understanding of the recruitment landscape.
She is passionate about career development and helping people grow and succeed in their professional journeys. Her mission is to support expats in returning to the job market and achieving their professional goals.
Silvia Caroline is one of the co-founders of ThriveUp Career, a business dedicated to helping professionals worldwide achieve their career aspirations. ThriveUp has supported clients from over 10 nationalities and industries—including finance, HR, marketing, and IT—by guiding them to secure their dream jobs in Ireland and beyond. Helping individuals unlock new opportunities and navigate their career paths is central to ThriveUp Career’s mission.
With 18 years of experience, she has worked across industries like Tech, Hospitality, Aerospace, Manufacturing, and Construction, specialising in talent acquisition, training & development, and career coaching. Passionate about helping people grow and achieve their career goals. Her academic background includes a degree in Business Administration, an MBA in Human Resources Management, and a Master of Science in International Business focusing on Expatriation. Also, certifications in Coaching and Mentoring, Project Management, Employment Law, and Human Resources Management.
She is passionate about inspiring people to unlock their potential and thrive personally and professionally.
Spela Zupan Ihle is an ICF-qualified Career Coach with a strong background in career transitions and professional development. With over 15 years of experience across global corporate and startup environments, she helps professionals find career clarity, build confidence, and achieve sustainable work-life balance. Known for her compassionate and holistic approach, Spela helps clients overcome challenges and move toward fulfilling personal and professional goals.
