Paul Mernagh, Class of 2003 is currently working in Hospitality.
What 3 words best describe your experience as a student of Shannon College?
Friends, craic, uniform.
What college memory still makes you smile?
Living in Drumgealy in those freezing apartments.
If you had to re-live your time in Shannon College, would you do anything differently?
No.
What advice would you give to your 20 year old self?
Enjoy your college days because you’ll spend a long time working.
In your life, what achievement are you most proud of?
My two daughters and my wife of course.
What qualities do you think are most important to have for a rewarding career?
A good work ethic – it’s so difficult to find staff these days that are willing to put in the hard yards. I find the younger generation want to get to the top without understanding the job first.
What has been the biggest challenge you have faced during Covid-19?
Keeping our business closed for this long tests your mental health but I’ve just kept a positive attitude without allowing myself think negatively.
Do you have words of wisdom that you try to live by?
Enough is plenty.
What advice do you have for current SCHM students who are looking for inspiration and hope?
This pandemic will be a pause in your lives, embrace it and enjoy it to the best of your ability because once life resumes we will all be very busy again. I think it has shown us that we need to slow down sometimes and not allow work to take over our lives.
