Interview | From Omagh to Australia and Back
When Emma McFarland packed her bags at the end of 2023, she was ready for an adventure. Leaving her engineering role in Northern Ireland, Emma and her partner spent four months exploring Central and South America before settling in Australia for a year. But when the couple got engaged, the big question arose: "Where do we build our future?"
Everyone tells you when you’re going out to Australia that you’ll get a job like that – they’re crying out for engineers and it wasn’t really the case. We had our pulls for Australia and we had our pulls for Northern Ireland, but when we looked at job opportunities and how quickly we could settle back at home, it tipped the scale.
In April 2025, Emma returned to Northern Ireland and joined AM Consulting Engineers as a Senior Engineer just a month later. Her goal was clear: work for a growing, small-to-medium-sized company where she could make an impact and grow alongside the team.
For Emma, the best part of being home isn’t just professional - it’s personal. Reconnecting with friends and family, diving into a house renovation, and enjoying a new pace of life have all reinforced her decision.
Emma’s story is a reminder that while the world offers endless opportunities, sometimes the best place to build your future is right where you started.
Have you returned home to start a new life in Northern Ireland? We'd love to hear your story! Get in touch!
