Denise Murtagh
Student Development Manager, Students' Union
Denise manages the Student Development Team in the Students' Union which looks after clubs and societies, enterprise and employability activity, and volunteering.
As well as mentoring student businesses, Denise oversees Enterprise SU's range of programmes and activities for student entrepreneurs and the Volunteer Academy, which supports students in volunteering activities and helps them translate their experiences to create an amazing CV.
About Denise
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I love that I get to work so closely with students and am able to help them turn some of their ideas in to reality.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Believe in the power of now. Worrying about what has happened or what might happen is not good for productivity or a healthy mind so I think it’s important to concentrate the mind to try and achieve this. It’s certainly not easy to do sometimes.
If you could choose another career, what would it be?
I would choose something that involves travel and wildlife. A travel journalist perhaps, preferably with a focus on beautiful locations with luxury accommodation!
Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?
I always have most fun when reunited with friends and family that are spread across the globe. An ideal dinner party would see everyone brought together – as long as I didn’t have to cook!
If you were on the Apprentice, what business idea would you pitch to Lord Sugar?
It’s my belief that it’s always best to take on a business that you have passion and expertise in. If I were to pitch an idea on the Apprentice I would most likely choose something that involves children and parents. I am a mother of 2 young children and my friends and I are always discussing ideas for improving products for kids.
How does your job contribute to the student experience?
Those who engage in student development activities are guaranteed to have an
improved student experience. In particular, clubs and societies and volunteering activity have a real impact on the creation of a student community and those that are involved
feel they are part of something special at Queen’s.
What type of activities do students participate in?
I never ceased to be amazed by the wonderful projects that our students are engaged in, particularly the student-led projects delivered by societies such as QUB Enactus which have a profound impact on the social and economic lives of others both locally and internationally. The most impressive project of the year has to be the award-winning, student led Mind Yer Mate campaign which saw 350 students undertake suicide prevention awareness training.
Why should students get involved in extra-curricular activities?
Enhance employability skills, improve student experience, make new friends, improve social mobility, make an impact on local and international communities, become one of tomorrow's leaders, learn a new skill, showcase a talent, start a business or begin the journey to a wonderful career – these are just a few reasons why students should embrace extra-curricular activity at Queen’s.
