Question: How long did it take to get all of your qualififcations?

Triona answered on 9 Nov 2018:

Tommy, after school, I spent 4 years doing my Bachelors in Materials Science. 9 months of that, I worked in industry with an R&D group. It was part of the course – co-operative placement – it is a really great part of the course becuase you can get to see what might be, when you have your degree.
I then spent some time in University of Limerick, working in the labs before I traveled to Japan where I worked in Asahi, in a pharmaceutical plant, working with their R&D group and doing the experiments I needed to complete my Masters.
When I returned to Ireland, I wrote up my thesis and also started working at University of Limerick, Managing the laboratories that were used by the Ceramics Research Centre and by Materials Ireland – who were a group doing research and trouble shooting for industry, based in the University. I then started my PhD part time. I spent a lot of time in France, Belgium and Oxford during the next 3 years, carrying out the research needed to complete my PhD.
All in all, I was 11 years. However, that is a really long time and not necessary – depending on what you want. I really wanted to spend more time in industry and I really did not want to be a full time student so applied for work and chose to do the post grad part time.
A 4 to 5 year degree- usually a masters after 5 years and then an additional 3 to 4 for PhD is more typical