“I really liked the atmosphere and vibe of DkIT. Also, I felt really comfortable there, a sort of sense of community was emanated. I was working towards getting the points for Primary School Teaching, so I was disappointed that I wouldn’t be going to DkIT.”
Rachel Curran (24) got to know the library in DkIT first - she studied there for her Leaving Certificate while her older sister was at lectures for her BA (Hons) in Accounting & Finance.
Rachel had a change of heart and instead of pursuing teaching, she applied, and got onto the degree course in Event Management in DkIT.
“After graduating with a Distinction in my Level 7 degree, I did an add-on year and completed the BA (Hons) in Event Management, receiving a First-Class Honours.”
“I had a wonderful four years at DkIT and I’d always had ambitions to do a Masters Degree, so I spoke to my lecturers and they suggested that the MBS in Entrepreneurship and Marketing at DkIT would be a great opportunity.”
“I got in and will finish it( MBS in Entrepreneurship and Marketing) in September 2018. My thesis is on the general area of marketing and branding, with a focus on third level education.”
Rachel was always organising events while in St Vincent’s Secondary School, Dundalk and said:
“I also helped my Mam organise her school reunions, birthday parties and family occasions. I was involved in organising bake sales, the Transition Year school talent show, and charity events like sponsored walks, bag packs and sponsored silences throughout my school life.”
She really liked the atmosphere in DkIT and said:
“There was a lovely sort of colloquial element that appealed to me, just like when I was 17 years old studying in the DkIT library.”
She speaks highly of the lecturers from her Undergraduate Degree saying:
“They were excellent from the get go. The one thing I admired about them then, and this hasn’t changed now, was their ability to combine both theory and practical work. All my lecturers whilst working in education, kept a focus on industry and had great working-life examples to contribute also.”
Rachel did her 18 week placement, which is part of 2nd year, at the An Táin Arts Centre in Dundalk where, “I got to work across all sectors including front-of-house, event management, writing press releases and liaising with clients and customers.”
She now plans to go out and work in the industry but has not completely left the idea of teaching. “I might go back and becoming a lecturer. Teaching is still in my mind but more at a third-level stance. That’s one of the main reasons that I did the Masters straight after my Undergraduate Degree, I wanted to open as many doors as possible for myself.”
“I also plan to travel and hopefully work in different countries. If I do ever enter the classroom as a lecturer, I want to make sure that I’ve lived the career before I teach about it.”
Rachel says whether you are a school leaver or a mature adult,
“I would encourage you to go to DkIT. In my experience the college evokes a great balance between theory and practice.
“A degree from DkIT is just as lucrative and profitable as one from a university and its links with industry is its key advantage. You gain skills that you will carry with you through your career. It’s not a last choice option, it is a first choice, and in my opinion an excellent one!”
Some of Rachels’ achievements:
- One of a small number of students chosen to represent DkIT at the ‘All-Island Civic Dialogue Session on Brexit’ in April 2018.
- I’ve been Class Rep for the academic years 2015-2018.
- I received the Presidents Prize for Academic Excellence in the Year 2016.
- In 3rd Year, I was part of a team who organised a ‘1916 Afternoon Tea’ and succeeded in raising €1,136.50 for the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association (IMNDA)- this was one of the highlights and proudest moments of my college career.
- I was a staff member of An Táin Arts Centre who were recipients of the Louth Business Award for ‘Best Tourist Attraction 2015.’- This employment was as a result of my 2nd Year Placement.
- Whilst in TY/5th year at Secondary School, I participated in the Peace III Programme S.P.I.R.A.L (Storytelling to Promote Intergenerational Reconciliation and Learning) cross community project. As a result, I met E.U. Commissioner Hahn in November 2010.
Useful Links:
MBS in Entrepreneurship and Marketing
