SHSS Alumnae Link - Alannah O'Sullivan

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 connected with Alannah O’Sullivan who graduated in 2011.

Name and position:

Alannah O Sullivan- Digital Manager.

Lives:

Sydney, Australia.

Best memory of Sacred Heart:

I loved the school plays and trips. High School Musical was a stand out show for me. The movies were so popular and I can remember being so excited we were able to do that show. A trip to Kerry in fourth year was also a great highlight.

What were your favourite subjects?

I think looking back I used to enjoy learning about History. I also liked the literature and plays we studied in English class.

Tell us about your career progression to date:

The career I have now I really never knew anything about when I was younger. There is a joke that everyone tends to “fall” into media. That is really what happened to me. I studied TV, Radio and New Media in IT Tralee and used to think I wanted to get into the TV or radio business. I did a few internships in Dublin after college and one of them was for Joe.ie and Her.ie. I was working with all the top Irish brands on digital campaigns on the websites. From there I started to really excel and enjoyed learning about digital media and advertising.

I then got a job working as an Account Executive for a media agency called Mediacom. My main client was Sky and I worked closely with the UK team, executing digital campaigns for the Irish market. In 2019, after a few years in Dublin, I got the travelling bug and moved to Sydney. Little did I know it was probably the best time I could have left and went travelling before Covid hit. I now work for another global media agency called PHD and my clients are Audi and Skoda cars. The car market is booming out here and I am really loving the new challenge (and also impressing my dad with my car knowledge).

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

If money was no object I would love to be a DJ . I love music and travelling so I could mix the two together for my dream career!

Favourite motto:

Have more confidence in your ability and be kinder to yourself.

Favourite quote:

Everyday might not be great, but there is something great in everyday.

What’s your hidden talent?

Well it’s not something I hide, especially at karaoke or the afters of a wedding, but I love to sing. Still looking forward to the day I get to sing with my brother David, when we are reunited.

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

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