SHSS Alumnae Link - Emma O'Hare

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 Emma O’Hare who graduated in 2017.

Name and position:

Emma O’Hare – Trainee Engineer, AIB Technology Graduate Programme 

Lives:

Dublin 

Best memory of Sacred Heart:

Playing clarinet in the school orchestra for the musical. I took part in the school musical almost every year while I was at Sacred Heart, it was always great fun. 

From being in the First Year Choir for Aladdin to helping transpose and arrange music for Me and My Girl, it was a welcome break from schoolwork and brought with it a lot of excitement during the lead up to Christmas. 

What were your favourite classes?

English was always my favourite subject throughout school. I enjoyed all the texts we studied and loved having Ms O’Donoghue for Leaving Cert. Her detailed notes prepared me well for doing English in college!

I also always looked forward to Music class. We had a lovely small group for Leaving Cert, and both Ms Whyte and Ms Hayes are excellent teachers. 

Tell us about your career progression to date: 

I just graduated from UCD with a BA International in English and Computing. This was the ideal degree for me, as I loved English in school but also wanted to learn more about technology and digital media. I spent my third year studying abroad in France at Paris-Sorbonne Université – this was an amazing experience, and I made a lot of new friends! Many great writers have lived and written in Paris, so it was surreal to be studying texts that mention the streets and cafés we frequented.

I recently made the first big step in my career journey by starting my role with AIB on their Technology Graduate Programme. For my first rotation, I am working in Strategy & Innovation. I’m excited to get involved in some interesting projects to make the most of the next two years and see where it takes me in the future. I’m currently working remotely but expect to get into the office soon and look forward to meeting the team in person. 

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

I strongly considered doing psychology in college, so maybe something in that line. Otherwise, I’ve always wanted to be a writer and travel the world. I’d like to move back to Paris, and who knows from there! 

Advice you would give your teenage self:

Everything works out in the end. 

I was so unsure of what course I “should” do in college or where life would take me, but I’m very happy with where I am right now and all the life experiences I’ve had so far. Even though it sounds like everyone else has got it all figured out, they really haven’t. And even if they do, it’s totally fine to go at your own pace. 

Favourite quote or motto?

There is nothing permanent except change.

Even though you might feel stuck where you are right now, life goes by quickly, and the world is so big. You’ll get time to travel and have new experiences sooner than you think! 

What is your hidden talent?

I am surprisingly good at hula hooping! 

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

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