I was hooked on working with computers since I bought my first Macintosh SE in 1988, and started producing CVs and promotional material for friends. Since then I’ve worked on a number of systems in different industries, adapting and learning with current trends. I’m excited about new ways of using technology to help people and processes.
My career began in Barry’s Tea, Cork during the summer and after a brief interlude into electronic assembly I moved to London looking for greener pastures.
I attended typing classes by night, on actual typewriter, while managing the sales office in an abattoir. Curiosity brought me on a tour of the slaughter house and sheds which I will never forget. A couple of years later, back in Cork, I landed a position with an amazing company, Versyss Corporation International. There I successfully mastered two roles and was in training for a promotion, when the company’s direction changed and many were made redundant.
For the next few years I secured temporary contracts as Shipping Clerk, Product Assembler, Purchasing Administrator and Inventory control until 1991. I began working Munster Forktruck Ltd. managing the Stores, I often joined the mechanics to see how the inventory that I purchased and sold actually worked. I controlled the inventory, purchasing, service and sales transactions while liaising with a suppliers, customers, and worked with a great bunch of mechanics and staff.
In ’96, I experienced the miracle of parenthood and shortly afterwards I moved Tramore, Co. Waterford. I worked part-time until 2002 when I started college as a mature student at Waterford Institute of Technology’s Foundation program. Raising my daughter whilst studying was a challenge! I left college in 2008 with one subject shy of honours degree as more pressing priorities arose. I returned 10 years later and finally graduated in 2019 with a BSc (Hons) Information Technology, the same year my daughter graduated with a BA (Hons) Social Science.
I have had a sundry of positions whilst raising my daughter, from part-time employment to self-employment with CalypsoIT and 30 years of volunteering with community groups. I have learned to be resourceful, methodical, persistent and adept at proficiently managing projects in unison.
Acknowledgement: Hat tip to Ken McCarthy, Marie O’Neill and the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning for opportunity to participate in “Getting Started with Professional Development – PACT‘ program in Nov 2019. Their expert facilitation methods, supportive presence and empathetic communication empowered me during the first of what became many ‘Remote Classes’ over Covid19. This ePortfolio was born from their efforts and the PACT course.
