SHSS Alumnae Link - Aoife O'Keeffe

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 Aoife O’Keeffe who graduated in 2017.

Name and position:

Aoife O’Keeffe, OTC Pharmacy Assistant at Life Pharmacy in Bishopstown

Lives:

Cork City

Best memory of Sacred Heart:

I think all of the trips we went on in 5th and 6th year in Leaving Certificate Applied were so enjoyable, there was always something to look forward to. For example, we went surfing and although I was terrible, it was a good experience.

I think most people in my year will remember Aoife’s Life Updates, my “vlog” where I kept myself and hopefully a few other people entertained by posting Snapchats of normal day to day things like hanging out with my friends, telling stories or even just offering advice on mental health services nearby and things like that. 

And of course I have to mention my musical debut at the Debs preforming my own version of Whitney Houston’s “I wanna dance with somebody”. 

I think I will forever replace the words of that song with “I wanna dance with Shane Tanner” and I think a lot of my friends do the same!

What were your favourite classes?

In 5th and 6th year it would have it be Social Education with Ms Harte. I loved learning about the current social issues and studying different topics in detail for my assignments.

1st - 3rd year it was definitely maths with Ms O’Donoghue I wasn’t great at maths but she was so patient and had such a lovely way of teaching.

Tell us about your career progression to date:

have been working in different pharmacies around Cork since 2016, starting part time in Clonakilty Pharmacy during 5th year working evening and weekends. I went to college to study emergency services in CSN after finishing secondary school but in hindsight I was definitely too immature and fell behind because I wasn’t putting in the effort. I met some amazing people during my time at CSN but I definitely feel for me a year between finishing school and going to college would have given me more life experience and motivation to really get stuck in to the course instead of being so focused on the freedom of college life. 

After college I began working full time in pharmacy and I haven’t looked back. 

I have studied so many skincare ranges, vitamins and over the counter medications while in work and lots of different courses online and while in work.

I have worked all over Cork for different companies and I have met so many interesting characters and people who have really made an impact on my life for the better.

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

I would definitely be working as an EMT or as a paramedic, it’s 100% something I will go back to in the future. I’m loving working in pharmacy at the moment but emergency services will always be where I see myself.

Advice you would give your teenage self?

Take things one step at a time.

For example If things start to feel overwhelming, don’t focus on it. Focus on the moment. Give yourself a “next step” goal, tell yourself you only need to get out of bed. When you accomplish that, tell yourself you only need to get dressed, then make breakfast and continue with your day taking it step by step.

Once you’re in motion, it’s often easier to stay in motion.

Favourite quote or motto?

No Rain, No Flowers.

Great things will sometimes come from a struggle, pain, or challenge. While rain is not necessarily desirable, flowers blossom because of it and use it to their advantage. They embrace the rain for what it is and thrive because of it.

What is your hidden talent?

I don’t think any of my talents are hidden because I’m such an open book but I can sing every One Direction song word for word, also the majority of Hannah Montana songs.

I had quite the obsession.

My courage is one that I often forget about, I’ve skydived and taken part in a bungee jump for charity. It still surprises me that I actually went through with them!

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

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