Joanne O’Grady and Lisa Walsh graduated from the BA in Applied Social Studies in Social Care in 2018
What was it like doing part-time studies?
The course work was completed on a Friday and we commuted every Friday for the past three years, Joanne is from Waterford and Lisa is from Limerick. The course also included a Saturday every semester for special classes like dance, drama etc. Joanne works in residential care for people with intellectual disabilities with the HSE and Lisa works full time in the Bon Secours hospital in Cork City.
What made you come back to education in SETU?
The both of us have full-time jobs but had no qualifications other than our Leaving Certificates and education is a big factor of securing a job place now. We both found that we had no prospects, no career prospects whatsoever. Waterford was ideal for a working person and Joanne is a full-time working mother so having the flexibility to complete our degree by only committing to Fridays was perfect. So, we both took the leap and sought further education and here we are today!
What have you gained from you degree?
It benefited both of us in the workplace and it has a very healthy social aspect as well. The course also gives you the opportunity for a career chance as it opens lots of career options in the social care sector. After doing the course Lisa realised that she would like to specialize in disabilities and plans on doing so in the future.
What experiences stood out to you during your time in SETU?
Waterford itself is lovely. The lecturers are brilliant here, they are kind of on call 24/7 even though we were only part-time students we got the same attention as someone who was in the college from Mon-Fri. They are always there to support you and they were very mindful of the fact that we are full-time workers and parents. The course material was designed in a very clever way to ensure it was suitable for all types of people and we had placement included which was great too!
Interviewed by Kayleigh-Ann Myles at Conferring 2018