SHSS Alumnae Link - Susan Butler

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 Susan Butler who graduated in 2014.

Name and position:

Susan Butler, Financial Crisis Preparedness and Management Associate.

Lives:

Dublin.

Best memory of Sacred Heart:

I absolutely loved being involved in the musicals. I think my favourite one was Aladdin which we did in Transition Year. This was a great success and we had a lot of fun at rehearsals and during the shows. Hockey was also a massive highlight for me, especially the craic we had on the bus journeys to and from the games. 

What were your favourite classes?

I really enjoyed French and loved English too. I was convinced at one stage I would become an author (I still might!)

Tell us about your career progression to date: 

Since graduating from SHSS, I went onto to study Arts International-French and Psychology in UCC. During my summers in college, I made sure to make the most of them (I can still hear my dad saying “you’ll never have as much time off as you do now, Susie” - turns out he was right!). So, in the summer of first year I went to Paris to work as an au pair for 3 months. This was great, but also very tough! In second year, I went to San Diego, and in third year I interned in Washington DC for 2 months. In my final year I was awarded a place on the IUA Scholarship Program where I got to live and intern in Beijing for 2 months working on policy issues like sustainable development and climate change. This really sparked my interest in working in the policy world. So, then when I came home, I went on to study a Masters in International Public Policy and Diplomacy (again with UCC. I couldn’t get enough of the place!)

I’m currently working as a Financial Crisis Preparedness and Management Associate with the Central Bank of Ireland since 2019. This has been a really cool role to date as I have been involved in crisis simulations, cyber policy work and responding to crisis incidents.

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

I think I would probably be volunteering full time with Irish guide dogs training puppies. I absolutely love dogs! 

Advice you would give your teenage self:

It’ll all be grand in the end!

Favourite quote or motto?

I really like Margaret Mead’s quote:

“Always remember that you are absolutely unique. Like everyone else.”

I think it puts everything into perspective.

What is your hidden talent?

I’m not sure I have one! I can make a nice carrot cake, but not sure that counts? 

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

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