SHSS Alumnae Link - Deirdre Hayes

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 Deirdre Hayes who graduated in 2014.  

Name and position:

Deirdre Hayes, Marketing Coordinator at Nourish Health Food Stores.

Lives:

Dublin.

Best memory of Sacred Heart:

I always really enjoyed school and loved that I got to spend every day with my friends. We always had a great time at lunch just sitting in a big group chatting - I’m still really close with most of them today. I remember having a particularly great time during TY, between trips away, projects and the school show.  

What were your favourite classes?

As a subject, I think I found English class the most interesting - I’ve always enjoyed a good debate. I remember having a great time in German class sitting next to Bec. Physics was tough but the classes were fun sitting next to Jenny, and I always looked forward to Art class with Dar.

Tell us about your career progression to date:

I studied Food Science in UCC and then went on to do a Food Business Strategy Master’s in Smurfit, UCD. During the summer semester of my masters, I worked as an intern in Yeo Valley, an organic yogurt company based in Bristol. I secured a position on the Communications team and created content for the company’s social media platforms. I really enjoyed living in Bristol and made some great friends there. I moved home during the pandemic and secured a position as Marketing Coordinator with Nourish, a family-run Irish health food store. I’m responsible for the creative marketing side of things – designing emails and posters, working with staff in store to create engaging social media content, and planning ways to promote the stores.

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

I’d love to be in a job where I get to taste food all say and decide what is worthy of being on the shelves.

Advice you would give your teenage self:

Not to worry too much about finding a course you’re totally passionate about - it probably doesn’t exist. I think there is a lot of pressure to do something you love, but a job doesn’t have to be a complete distillation of all your likes, talents, and interests, and sometimes work is just work. The degree you do is actually only a small part of the overall college experience, and there are plenty of opportunities to take your career in a different direction. 

Also, nothing is ever as daunting as it may seem, whether it’s exams, finding a job, or moving somewhere new. You’re always surrounded by people doing the exact same thing as you who are probably just as lost or confused as you.

Favourite quote or motto?

I like the Oscar Wilde quote ‘We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.’ It’s nice to remember that even if you can’t change your situation, you can always alter your perspective. 

What is your hidden talent?

I’m not too bad at baking.

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

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