Carolyn Sweet

Starting a master's at 56, in a new country and a second language, felt like a big leap. But it turned out to be one of the most rewarding decisions I’ve made.

I’m an Australian sonographer living in rural Austria. I moved here in 2019 to work at the global manufacturing centre of a medtech company that develops ultrasound systems for obstetrics and gynaecology. Life in Austria revolves around mountains and lakes. It’s very different from my beachside life back home, but it’s been an amazing change as well as a real challenge.

My sub-specialty is fetal medicine. I also worked as a clinical applications specialist in the medtech sector in Australia before moving to Austria. My earlier studies were in diagnostic radiography and medical ultrasound, with my last qualification completed in 1992.

I had always planned to do a master's, but life and work kept getting in the way. So when I came across the MSc in Leadership and Innovation in Healthcare at RCSI, it immediately felt right. I was looking for a way to better understand leadership, my colleagues, and new ways of thinking, and the course content provided it.

Studying locally was difficult because I’m not a native German speaker, and I wasn’t confident about completing a degree in German. My work environment is also very fast-paced and demanding, so I needed a course that was flexible, mostly online, and in English.

Once I found the programme, it felt like a lightbulb moment. I began the course hoping to gain a broader understanding of leadership and innovation, but as I progressed, I realised I was learning even more about corporate culture and how it shapes workplaces and teams.

Every assignment sparked my curiosity, and I always wanted more time to read and explore the literature. Group work was both inspiring and challenging, especially with time zone differences and such a wide range of professional backgrounds.

My final project grew from a strong desire to help build a more positive workplace culture and create lasting change. There is strong interest in using my research proposal within corporate training and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, which is very encouraging.

Looking ahead, I want to keep learning and growing as a leader while contributing more to our innovation strategy. I’m also passionate about mentoring, especially supporting women, who are still underrepresented in medical technology, and I feel I can make a meaningful contribution here.

Carolyn Sweet is a sonographer and graduate of the RCSI MSc in Leadership and Innovation in Healthcare.