Tell us about your academic and career journey before you began working at The Thomas J Moran Graduate School?

I graduated from Queen's University Belfast in 2024 with a MEng in Aerospace Engineering. I did a placement year in mechanical design engineering and a year in aerospace certification research. I worked part-time at Zen Belfast as a bartender mixing cocktails and at a garage fixing cars! I like getting up and doing interesting things.  

What's your role, and what do you enjoy most about it?

My role is Training & Events Co Ordinator within the Student Engagement Team, I specifically focus on supporting the organisation of training and events for postgraduate students and relevant staff. I also support wider Graduate School operations, maintain office systems, coordinating event logistics, liaising with external trainers and employers, promoting student engagement, managing budgets, gathering feedback, and supervising temporary staff when needed. There are always new things to do, and I enjoy the challenge that comes with them!

Are there any unique resources or opportunities available through your department that students might not be aware of?

If you’re a postgraduate student, there are rooms and spaces that are available here for you to study in peace! There is a microwave too, and free tea and coffee. You can also book 1-2-1 meeting with consultants to discuss your career outlooks, or just to review your CV!

What's one thing you can’t survive a working day without?

A proper night's sleep. Without it, even my coffee needs coffee! Also, snacks, very important.

Do you have any favourite inspirational quotes or mantras that keep you motivated in your work?

"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." — Theodore Roosevelt

If Plan A didn’t work, the alphabet has 25 more letters!

What are your favourite hobbies or pastimes outside of work (sports, creative hobbies, music)?

I like playing badminton, cycling and tinkering with things. I like playing music too, mainly on the piano. I was in various string and symphony orchestras for about 10 years.

If you could switch roles with any student for a day, which program or course would you choose, and why?

Probably medicine! My friend is doing his placement in a hospital, and I’d imagine he’s like John Dorian in Scrubs.

What's your favourite book or movie that you think every student should experience?

I wasn’t a student too long ago, and I really enjoyed La La Land. Thinking back, there were so many lessons in there that I didn’t understand but resonate with now.

What types of music or podcasts do you enjoy listening to in your free time?

I enjoy all kinds of music, but I’m especially drawn to songs with beautiful melodies and meaningful lyrics. Classical music holds a special place too, especially the Adagio movement of Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2 in E minor, Op. 27. Having said that, I like everything between Adele and My Chemical Romance too!

If you could travel back in time, which historical era would you visit and why?

I’d pick mid-19th century Industrial Age America! It was a time when everything was new and exciting. Steam trains were racing across the country, telegraphs were sending messages in seconds, and people were building the first skyscrapers. It was an era full of big dreams and even bigger risks, where new industries were popping up everywhere. Circuses, inventions, wild ideas — it was a world where you could build something from nothing, just like in The Greatest Showman.