60 seconds with…Musgrave Retail Partners

Monday, December 16th, 2019

Students from Ursuline Secondary School in Cork at Musgrave Retail Partners

Mary O’Keeffe, HR Administrator, Musgrave Retail Partners

What is your favourite part of the Skills @ Work programme?

Mock Interviews! The students get so much from the experience and you get to meet them on an individual level and learn about their hopes for the future. From this experience you can also tailor the Day In The Life session so they get the full benefit of the programme by meeting different employees currently working in the sector that they hope to enter.

How long have you been involved?

This is my third year running the programme. Each year I have met with great students and all have great ambition for the future. I am looking forward to meeting some of them in time to come 😊

Which part of the programme is the most fun for you?

I think the last session for the wrap up is the most fun for me. I get to see how the students raised money to buy the food and drinks. The spread that they put on is always fantastic! They always give great feedback on how to improve the course for the following year which is always helpful.

What is the biggest challenge?

I think the biggest challenge for me is trying to get to know all the students. I always tell them to get in contact in the future for intern placements etc. I would love to see how they proceed in their careers.

If I could tell all the students in the programme one thing what would it be?

Do not be afraid to try new things. It is okay not to know what you want to do leaving school and that there are many different avenues and routes that you can take to land your dream job! You have to make mistakes in order to learn and grow.

My hope for the future of the programme is…..

To continue doing the great work that they are currently doing. If we can help even one student to see the opportunities available to them then the programme is a great success.

Who is your hero and why?

My Mum! She is my hero because she taught us that it is okay to be different. Everyone has different tastes and once they are happy that is all that matters. She encouraged me to chase my dreams and that is was okay to make mistakes. I was never afraid to get involved and try new things.