Kevin Flynn
It would be difficult to pick just one highlight, meeting fantastic people from all walks of life is what I think back to most.
MARS FM and brief GAA and soccer stints.
Maynooth is a perfect blend of vibrant big college feel while also being a close-knit community. Despite its growth you always felt welcomed, with lecturers and tutors going above and beyond to make time for students and alumni.
Presenting and defending your work is something I use in my daily work life, along with the ability to critically analyse and summarise texts. All of these were core components of almost all History modules, and are important life skills.
Speak to your lecturers and tutors from day one with questions and concerns, and don't sweat the small stuff. You'll have time to finish essays and study, so get involved with societies and find a balance that suits you.
Details of your career path to date
After finishing in Maynooth I began a Masters in Political Strategy and Communication in Brussels, before interning in an NGO and consultancy. From there I was lucky to work in the European Parliament, before a brief return to consultancy led me to my current role in a European trade union.
Can you tell us of any career highlight to date?
Working for a trade union matches my personal beliefs and motivations, which is fantastic, but the best part is seeing your ideas and priorities making it into European laws that protect workers across the continent, be it in Platform Work, Gender Pay Transparency, AI or other areas.
What does your current role involve?
Monitoring policy developments in the European institutions, consulting with national and international unions on joint priorities, convincing politicans to adopt our positions and advocating for their implementation.
What do you find most interesting/challenging about your job?
Working in an international, fast-paced environment exposes you to different cultures and ways of working, while also challenging your habits and preconceptions of what work should look like. Very seldom are two days the same, with plenty of opportunities to travel and a constant stream of controversies, events and work.
How did you find your current job?
Through a friend working in the union movement.
What advice would you give to Maynooth University students entering the job market, either generally speaking or in regard to your specific career sector?
Ask for help, be it with CVs, areas of interest or places to apply. That and talk to as many people as possible, giving yourself as broad an overview of options as you can. Ultimately, doing well at what you're doing now will be rewarded, so don't shut anything off and put yourself out there!