From the J1 Graduate Visa to Product Leader: How the J1 Visa Shaped Grainne Conefrey’s Career
When I graduated from college in Ireland in 2011 with a degree in Sport and Exercise Management, I honestly had no real idea what I wanted to do next. I had always loved sport growing up, but like a lot of people coming out of college, I felt unsure about where my degree would actually take me.
When I heard about the opportunity to go to the U.S. on a J1 visa and work in a role connected to my degree, something clicked for me. I had worked hard for my qualification and thought I should at least give myself the chance to use it. Two of my close friends were also planning to go, so we spent the summer saving money, applied for the visa through Rian Immigrant Center, and started preparing for a completely unknown adventure.
The visa process itself was very straightforward. Jude and the team at Rian were incredibly supportive throughout and made the whole experience feel manageable and exciting rather than overwhelming. Before long, we had completed our embassy interviews, packed our bags, and were on a flight to Boston.
Looking back now, it is funny how unprepared we were. We arrived in Boston at 3am with nowhere permanent to stay and no real plan beyond figuring it out as we went. Thankfully, my mother’s colleague had connected us with a family in Boston who kindly offered to let us stay for a week while we got settled. I still remember arriving exhausted after a difficult flight and being met at the airport in the middle of the night by Tom Kilkullen, who welcomed us without hesitation. That family ended up becoming a huge part of my experience in America. I later moved back in with them after the summer and stayed there for the remainder of my time in Boston. Their kindness and generosity made a lasting impact on me and gave me a real sense of home while living abroad.
Soon after arriving, we visited Rian’s offices to begin our job search. Jude and the team had created a really welcoming environment for Irish graduates arriving in the city. They provided internet access, resources, support, and most importantly, a sense of community. There was a group of us from Ireland who had all arrived around the same time, and the Rian organised regular opportunities for us to meet up and get to know one another. We played softball together, went to Red Sox games, explored the city, and built friendships that made the transition to life in America much easier.
Finding the right role took a little time. My degree was quite specific, and because the visa required work connected to both sport and business, I struggled initially to find the right fit. Things changed when Rian introduced me to several contacts in the sports industry in Boston. Through those conversations, I eventually secured a role with Hill Holliday, a marketing agency based in downtown Boston.
I joined the team working on a Major League Baseball account and spent the year learning about the American sports industry. I analysed different sports leagues, competitors, fan engagement strategies, and the broader business of sport across MLB, the NBA, NFL, and other major organisations. It completely changed my understanding of what sport could be as an industry.
What struck me most during my time in America was the scale of opportunity within sport, particularly for girls and women. Growing up in Ireland, I had loved soccer, but there were very limited pathways or opportunities available for girls at the time. In the U.S., I saw young girls actively encouraged to participate in sport, supported by schools, clubs, and communities. That stayed with me long after I returned home.
When I came back to Ireland, I knew I wanted to work in sport in some capacity, particularly in an area connected to participation and opportunity. Not long after returning, I happened to mention to a family friend that I had just come back from America and was looking for work in sport. She encouraged me to speak to her neighbour, who owned a sports science company.
At the time, I almost dismissed the opportunity because I did not think sports science was the right fit for me. However, I reached out for an informal meeting and ended up being hired that same day. Interestingly, much of our conversation focused on my experience in America, the sports industry there, and the lessons I had learned while working in Boston. The company was preparing to expand into the U.S. market at the time, so my international experience unexpectedly became a huge advantage.
That role ultimately shaped the rest of my career.
I spent seven years with the company and it was there that I discovered product development. I found myself working at the intersection of sport, science, technology, insights, and user experience, helping build products designed to support athletes, coaches, and teams. I loved the challenge of sitting in the middle of different disciplines and connecting ideas, research, and technology into something practical that could genuinely improve performance and experiences for end users.
Over the following years, I continued working across sport, technology, and product development, including co-founding a female health and performance app with a colleague. Today, many years later, I am working with U.S. Soccer across both the Soccer Forward and Kang Women’s Institute teams, focused on using soccer as a force for good, increasing access and opportunity across communities, and improving the game and experience for girls and women in sport.
In many ways, it feels like a full-circle moment. I still remember seeing firsthand how much opportunity existed for young girls in sport in the United States. Years later, I now find myself back working with an American organization focused on creating even more access and opportunity through sport.
Looking back, I genuinely do not think my career would have unfolded the same way if I had not taken the chance to move to America on the J1 visa. It gave me confidence, independence, perspective, and experiences I never could have gained at home. More importantly, it helped me discover a career path that I did not even know existed at the time.
The experience shaped not only my career, but also how I see sport, opportunity, and community. I will always be grateful for the people I met, the support I received, and the opportunities that came from taking that leap.