SHSS Alumnae Link - Niamh O'Leary

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 O’Leary who graduated in 2014.

Name and position: 

Niamh O’Leary – Planner in Janssen.

Lives:

Cork.

Best memory of Sacred Heart: 

I was involved in a few of the school plays which were always fun. My favourites were Hairspray and Aladdin. Other highlights were our TY trip to Cappanalea and doing Mini Company, we made a book for girls with loads of tips and tricks on beauty and life called ‘Miss Independent’.

One of my favourite days was in 6th year dressing up and singing songs we had wrote for the teachers, I still have the song sheet! That was more than one but there are too many to choose from. 

What were your favourite classes?

English and French. 

Tell us about your career progression to date: 

I wasn’t too sure what career path I wanted when I was in school, so I chose to do a general business degree in CIT. In my final year I got the opportunity to go to Utrecht in the Netherlands for a semester which I loved. I would recommend it to everyone to study abroad if they got the chance. 

When I finished in 2018, I decided to continue my studies and chose the MSc Innovation in European Business course in UCC. During this time, I studied in Cork, Paris and Utrecht and completed a placement in Janssen Sciences in Cork. In January 2020, I went back to the job I had on placement as a Business Analyst. In April 2021 I moved teams to the Planning Department. 

Little did I know when I was in school that I would be working in a pharmaceutical company. You just don’t know where your path will lead you!

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

I always thought I would love to be a midwife, or a Formula 1 driver!

Advice you would give your teenage self:

You are more capable than you think.

Favourite quote or motto?

“It’s never too late to start again”

What is your hidden talent?

I taught myself how to crochet during lock down which I was very proud of. I’m sure the appliqué and cross stitch skills I learned in Home Ec have stayed with me!

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

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