Alex believes ‘customised course’ was the right choice for him

BBS student Alex, speaks about the community and friendships made in WIT that "are there for best and worst that comes with college life"

Alex Fitzgerald, a past pupil of De La Salle Waterford, Waterford City, is one of two students at Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) to be presented with a CIMA Management Accounting Prize. This award was presented Head of Department of Accounting and Economics, Mr Ger Long. It was presented to the student with the best Management Accounting result for Bachelor of Business (Honours) and BA (Honours) in Accounting.

Alex explains why he applied for the Chartered Institute of Management of Accountants Award.

"My lecturer, Dr Breda O' Brien was the lecturer who had me for the "Costing" and "Management Accounting Techniques" modules on my course last year. She talked about this prize on offer and I felt really inspired, determined and focused to work my absolute hardest to achieve this award as it would require a lot of study and hard work to get there."

“When I heard I would be receiving the Award I was extremely surprised. I felt elated that all my hard work paid off and after I heard the news I told my family, particularly my mother as she is supportive of me and my college work."

His dreams for the future include sourcing Summer 2021 Placement at PwC or EY and funding himself for a Masters after his time at WIT.

About me:

I am a 3rd year student on the Bachelor of Business Honours programme. I am currently a class rep for my course, a Senior Mentor on the Peer2Peer programme run by Student Life & Learning, a former volunteer on the WIT ACCESS Programme for primary schools, a Student Ambassador and recognised on the School of Business Dean’s List for Academic Excellence

What attracted you to study at Waterford Institute of Technology?

On the Change of Mind closing date for CAO I changed my mind and made WIT my first preference. The amount of support and opportunities students can get involved with amazed me. The nightlife and vibrant city centre were all local to me and the amazing college experience you get at WIT are the reasons why I changed my mind. I am so thankful I took the leap to study local and love every minute of it. I think if I never changed my mind I would have never thrived and enjoyed college as much as I do now.

Did you always know this was the course you wanted to do?

Not really no. I had several business related courses on my CAO form but I never knew exactly what I wanted to do after school. What made me pick this course was the amount of options I had throughout my degree right from the very beginning. It felt like a customised course with electives right from the very beginning.

What words of advice do you have for new students?

My biggest advice would be to always keep your options open and never think a low point course is a bad course. With my course there are so many options including a Teaching Placement which no other common entry business course offers in Ireland.

What have been the highlights of your college experience?

I know it’s cheesy but it really is the community and the friends you make along the way. With such small course sizes you really get to know your classmates well, sometimes even more than your own family. They are there for best and worst that comes with college life.

What did you like about Waterford as a city to live in/to study in?

Living in Waterford meant I knew the area very well and it’s extremely fortunate to know I can arrive home, not worry about rent or bills and enjoy the freedom of being a student without the financial worries that comes with it so often.

Final word on your college experience?

I was able to meet plenty of new people and made friends through these experiences. All these people are diverse in terms of cultural and socio-economic backgrounds. I really learned and understood different viewpoints on issues affecting Irish society through many different perspectives.

To anyone thinking of going to WIT and not sure I’d say reach out and ask to learn more about the course and the college. There is always plenty of people ready to help and are just an email away.

Related Courses

• Bachelor of Business (Honours) in  Business (Common Entry)
• Bachelor of Business (Honours) in  Business (Accounting)
• Bachelor of Business (Honours) in  Business (Economics & Finance)
• Bachelor of Business (Honours) in  Business (Human Resource Management)
• Bachelor of Business (Honours) in  Business (Management)
• Bachelor of Business (Honours) in  Business (Marketing)