A graduate from the mid 2010’s is currently working in F&B.
What 3 words best describe your experience as a student of Shannon College?
‘Long’, ‘Disciplining’, ‘Rewarding’
What college memory still makes you smile?
Times of having lunch together and having various recreational activities together. But also, being able to see many of the students, plus friends being able to immerse themselves in new and different cultures. Diversity was one of the best things for sure.
If you had to re-live your time in Shannon College, would you do anything differently?
Take more opportunity to study better and be more involved with some classes – I didn’t work a fine study/personal life balance. Perhaps could’ve taken more time to improve my Mandarin.
What advice would you give to your 20 year old self?
Focus on what’s important, college is the time of freedom, but don’t over-abuse it. Also, choose your friends wisely, there will be ones who will stick closer to you than others!
In your life, what achievement are you most proud of?
Overcoming expectations in general; and self-realisation of the path I want to take.
What qualities do you think are most important to have for a rewarding career?
Humility; the ability to submit when we need to submit, and to listen. We naturally get very proud and quite arrogant when we’ve gained a deal of experience, and it may be we are excellent at what we do now. It does not, however, give us a right to brush off other people and their opinions, nor should we view ourselves as better than them – your reward will only be as good as your willingness to be team player.
What has been the biggest challenge you have faced during Covid-19?
Sleeping and getting out of bed at a reasonable time :P. Finding work of course, but mainly because I plan to change my field of work.
Do you have words of wisdom that you try to live by?
1. “Failure comes not by not succeeding; we fail only if we never even tried in the first place. Be only strong and very courageous to dive into the deep.” 3. “It’s about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward” 3. “What is your greatest fear?” – Coach Carter, Movie
What advice do you have for current SCHM students who are looking for inspiration and hope?
1. As a Christian, I personally will take many problems to prayer – we’re too limited as human. Additionally, speaking with people who have, or had, similar experiences as you can be great life advice too – don’t just try and Google everything haha. They don’t necessarily have to be our nearest and dearest, but it can be anybody who is willing to help. 2. Verse from the Bible – (Philippians 4:6-7) “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything with prayer… let your requests be made known to God..” – For Christian friends and non-Christians alike, if ye ever feel lost with no way out. As the saying goes, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel: life isn’t without trials and obstacles, but it’s the determination and endurance of you that will ultimately determine decide your destination. The circumstances are not ideal and you don’t currently get the college life ye expected, but it’s only a bump in the road. The future ‘will’ be brighter, and the past will become the past anyway – the best times of yer lives have not even begun :). Stay strong, friends
