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 Niamh Madden who graduated in 2011.

Name and Position:

Niamh Madden, Social Care Worker for TUSLA Child and Family Agency.

Lives:

Courtmacsherry.

Best memory of SHSS:

In Transition Year, I was one of the bird girls in Seussical the Musical. It was so much fun and I really enjoyed it. Another memory I have was my Junior Cert Home Ec practical where I forgot to use a pot-stand and burnt the table! Ms Brosnan was less than impressed!

Favourite classes:

I loved Mr Daly's Geography class, especially on a Friday evening, Ms O Flynn's German class, and Home Economics in junior and senior cycle. I still have my Smart Cooking book- it’s very handy now.

Career progression to date:
When I finished at SHSS, I completed a PLC in Social Studies in Coláiste Stiofán Naofa which I really enjoyed. I then went on to Waterford Institute of Technology to complete my BA Level 7 in Applied Social Studies in Social Care. In 2015, I completed my Honours Degree in Social Care from Cork Institute of Technology.
I am currently a Social Care Worker for TUSLA Child and Family Agency and work in Children's Residential Services. I love my job, it can be challenging at times, but who doesn't love a challenge?
I am currently completing a Postgraduate Diploma in Personal and Management Coaching at UCC.

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

I always wanted to be a DJ or radio presenter, but I'm quite content where I am in Social Care.

Advice you would give your teenage self:
Everything always works out in the end, even if you end up failing maths in your Leaving Cert! (I got there second time round).
As clichéd as it sounds, school days are the best days of your life and getting to see your friends every day is an added bonus.

Favourite quote:

The juice is always worth the squeeze.

Hidden Talent:

I have a flair for art and I love painting, and took up doing some canvas during lock down.

Huge thanks to NIamh for taking the time to answer our questions!

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