Welcome to SHSS Alumnae Link!

This is where we connect with past pupils and find out what they’re up to now.

This week we linked with Paulina Karcz who graduated in 2016.

Name and Position:

Paulina Karcz, Scientist in Bio Therapeutic Development API in Janssen Sciences Ireland.

Lives:

Cork and Clonakilty (in the middle of nowhere).

Best memory of Sacred Heart:

Wow I don’t think there is one I can pick! I loved the school experience and everything that came with it: making lifelong friends, learning, taking part in all the various projects and musicals. TY was probably one of my favourite years though. The trip away with school to Cappanalea was 100% one of my favourite memories. Specifically hanging upside down on a 30 foot abseil (Mom went a little pale at this news!). Another one was the musical Voulez Vous (Mamma Mia 1) where we got to perform together as a year and explore every side of the production from art and creating the sets to dressing up on the nights and being absolutely covered in fake tan! From those experiences alone I became so close to so many different people that I hadn’t connected with in the previous years. Many remain my closest friends still and I am always so thankful for those memories!

Another one was our 6th Year graduation where we all came together as a year for the last time. The tears were so bittersweet. Looking back on how much we achieved in the six years and the friendships we made, it is something that was absolutely priceless! Oh, and walking out of that last LC exam like a champ! That was also a good one!

What were your favourite classes?

I loved English, Technology and Art. Anything creative always sparked my interest and still does, but I had an equal love for Biology which I pursued in my college career!

Tell us about your career progression to date:

I was interested in creative and performing arts ,as well as science , and this was a huge struggle (sorry Ms. Sexton), but I ended up pursuing an Undergraduate in BSc Biological and Chemical Sciences where I specialised in Microbiology in UCC. I graduated in 2020 (what a year that was).

I decided to continue my education immediately and undertook MSc in Molecular Cell Biology and Bio-Innovations which combines both science and business aspect of pharmaceutical industry. The level of difficulty was something to adjust to but it was so worth it in every aspect, despite doing it all remotely because of the pandemic.

I am currently finishing my thesis while working in Janssen Sciences Ireland, a family company of Johnson&Johnson where I support different roles in the lab.

If you weren’t in the job you have, what would you be doing?

Honestly? Probably travelling! I know myself that if I don’t complete the degrees now, I would struggle to return. Although I love academia, I caught the travel bug and it doesn’t seem to be going away!

Advice you would give your teenage self:

Haha there is lots, but stop trying to control things you have no control over. It is a waste of energy you could be putting into yourself and your development. It will stand to you in the long run!

Favourite quote or motto?

“I don’t even have a pla”- Phoebe Buffay

and

“You can achieve anything you want in life, IF you are willing to work hard enough to get it”

Huge thanks to Paulina for taking the time to answer our questions.

See you soon for the next instalment of SHSS Alumnae Link.