SHSS Alumnae Link - Anna Quinn
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 Anna Quinn who graduated in 2010.
Name and position:
Anna Quinn - Senior HR Advisor
Lives:
Clonakilty
Best memory of Sacred Heart:
There are too many to count! We were a close year and got on very well with each other. Any of the trips away together, such as to Killary or the school tour to Berlin, were brilliant. I loved the everyday simple stuff that you don’t get in normal adult life like spending all day, every day with friends, watching Mr Pegler get in trouble with Mrs. O’Sullivan when we made things explode in Physics class, or getting to learn loads of new things every day .
(I loved school...)
What were your favourite classes?
I liked having the variety of subjects to keep every day interesting - I have a big imagination so I liked creative things like essay writing in English with Ms Bell or building bird boxes in Mr Woods’ Tech class. I also love puzzles so I always enjoyed working out difficult maths equations. I’m a big fan of the Arts, so I loved music or art or drama classes too.
Tell us about your career progression to date:
I graduated in 2010 and went to UCC to Study Arts. I loved the diversity of subjects we got to study in SHSS and wanted to continue that at university. I studied English, Irish, Maths and Spanish in First year and narrowed this down to Irish and Maths in 2nd and 3rd year. I graduated at a time when you needed to further your studies to realistically get a job as the country was coming out of a recession. At the time, there were more graduates than there were jobs.
After I graduated, I was lucky to fall into a job in the Social Welfare Branch Office in Clonakilty which involved working with people in sometimes very vulnerable positions and giving advice and guidance on policy.
I knew I enjoyed working with people and so decided to apply to CIT to a Masters in Human Resources Management. I got a my first HR role as a HR Administrator in Xanadu Consultancy (a tech company in Cork) and studied the masters part-time over two years. When I graduated, I moved to London to take up a role as a HR Coordinator in Bank of Ireland UK. After a year in the role I was transferred to Dublin to take up a position in a specialist HR team as an Employee Relations Advisor, providing employment advice to managers all across Bank of Ireland ROI.
I missed my life in London and knew I wanted to spend more time there. So, after a year in Dublin, I applied to BBC Studios for a position as HR Advisor to the sales teams in London. After 8 months in this role I was promoted to HR Specialist for the Production Crews in Studios and supported approx 1,000 employees across England, Wales and Scotland.
Having spent over 3 years away, I wanted to move back closer to home (especially considering the pandemic) so I applied for a role as a Senior HR Advisor in Trend Micro in Cork and have been working there since October 2020. I support the Irish teams and also work on pan-European projects.
Other than my role in Employee Relations, all of my roles have been quite broad. This means I have a lot of variety to my day, which is something I love.
If you weren’t in the job you have, what would you be doing?
I am thinking about going back to University to study a Masters in Coaching and Positive Psychology at some point. If I wasn’t working in my role now I’d like to be back in college studying that.
Advice you would give your teenage self:
Worry less - it’s always good to be prepared and have foresight but don’t worry about something unless it’s actually happening. Ask yourself if what is happening is within your control to change. If not, then learn to accept it and let it go.
Know your self-worth and don’t accept anything less. This can be hard to do sometimes, but try your best.
Favourite quote or motto?
Things have their own way of working themselves out. Grades and degrees mean far less than attitude so focus your efforts on building positive, authentic relationships. Above all, be kind and compassionate to others and you can’t go too far wrong.
What is your hidden talent?
I am a secret crisp-flavour inventor! Ever tasted Ballymaloe Country Relish flavoured crisps? They were my creation (co-creation if I’m being totally honest here).
You’re welcome ;)
Huge thanks to Anna for taking the time to answer our questions!
We wish her all the best in the future.
See you soon for the next instalment of SHSS Alumnae Link!
