My journey since leaving Loreto College,St Stephen's Green

When I left Loreto, I didn’t really have a clear idea about what I wanted to do with my life.  I studied History & Political Science at Trinity and at the end of my four year degree, nothing seemed much clearer but I knew that I didn’t want to make money for other people.  After two years teaching English in China, an internship in the European Commission and a Masters in European Economic and Public Affairs, I joined the Irish diplomatic service as a Third Secretary.  My career in the civil service has been unimaginably varied.  I’ve lived in Singapore and Shanghai. I’ve been a Director in the Passport Service, the Chief Operations Officer in the Department of Health and, most recently, Irish Ambassador to Bulgaria and Armenia based out of Sofia. 

My current roles, most and least interesting parts
This is my first role as an Ambassador and the one thing I can say is that it’s never boring!  Every day presents an opportunity to learn something new and form a connection with someone.  A big part of my job is building a network of contacts and while this can be really energising and exciting – it can also be really exhausting if I don’t manage my time properly. I have a tendency to be shy around new people so I’ve had to work on that and just get on with the job and represent Ireland in the best way that I can.  There are actually no boring parts of my job because every day is different and unpredictable. 

Favorite memory from Loreto College
My time in Loreto was so safe and happy that I find it difficult to conjure up any negative memories (although I’m sure it wasn’t as utopian as I remember).  I was part of the debating team that won the Leinster Schools Debating Competition in 6th year so that was really special for me and probably one of the first times that I realised that I could be as good as anyone else.     

The teacher who most influenced me
Mrs Dowling was my Junior Cert History and English teacher.  I was terrified of her in the beginning as she was so strict but I realised before long that she was just unwilling to allow any of her students to waste their potential.  It was a real lightbulb moment when it occurred to me that she pushed us, not because she wanted to punish us, but because she cared enough to want the best for us. 

Career advice for current leaving cert students
Always do the thing that frightens you because there is no growth in comfort.  Apart from bungee jumping, there’s no reason to be doing that.  So if it’s a job or a role or a task that presents itself in work, don’t worry about whether you’re good enough to do it – you are good enough – the only question is whether you’re willing to experience some discomfort in order to develop your experience and your skillset.   
Skills I think will be most important in the future work environment
Definitely inter-personal skills – how to negotiate, build trust, lead and inspire.  Everything that is of value in the work place is about how we relate to other people and how we make them feel.  

The one thing I would love to come back to the school and do is
I would come back just to go to the Christmas Carol Service.  It was always such a magical experience and I imagine that it’s even more incredible these days under the direction of Caoimhe Ní Áinle. Caoimhe was the first friend I made in Loreto.  She was so musically talented even then that the only way I could stay in tune in choir class was by standing beside her – every time I stood beside someone else I went off-key and was instructed to mime.

Plans for the next few years
I’ll be in Bulgaria for the next few years so that will give me time to think.  Moving abroad was less of an upheaval before I had children and I think they’d like to stay in Ireland for a while after we return home.   A career in the civil service is like a fingerprint, no two are the same.  I could never have imagined that my career would take the path it did.  I’ve learned so much about myself on this crazy journey and the value of the relationships built along the way – I can’t wait to see where it leads me next!